24. Baltimore Orioles

Big Leagues- The Baltimore Orioles are one of the most unlucky teams in Major League Baseball. They have a nice youthful exuberance protruding from their roster, but there is just no way that this team can win games when they have to play the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays 19 times each over the course of a season. The team has the monetary support necessary to compete in every other division in the MLB, but the AL East is always going to be a toss up between the three giants that reside there. The Orioles have definitely improved over the last several seasons and they will win some games this year, but I don't see them moving any higher than fourth place in the toughest division in sports. Here is their opening day roster for 2011:

Catcher-Matt Wieters

1st Base-Luke Scott
2nd Base- Brian Roberts
Shortstop- J.J. Hardy
3rd Base- Mark Reynolds
Left Field- Felix Pie
Center Field- Adam Jones
Right Field- Nick Markakis
DH-  Luke Scott/ Jake Fox

Pitching- Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Brian Bergeron, Chris Tillman

As far as fantasy baseball goes, there are some guys on this roster that could really help your team. Matt Wieters is on his way to becoming an elite catcher in the majors and could be the first catcher taken in a year or two. Catcher is always a valuable position to a fantasy team, because catchers with above average offensive production are normally hard to come by. Wieters could turn into a keeper player in keeper leagues and his game will steadily improve for the foreseeable future. Other considerations on this team include Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts and possibly J.J. Hardy. Their pitching staff is really where the team starts to fade, but look for Brian Matusz to start making some noise as big league pitcher and potentially putting up big numbers. Again it's hard for a pitcher to be successful when at least 7 of their starts come against the Yanks, Sox and Rays.Top 5 Prospects

SS Manny Machado- The number three overall in the 2010 draft would have been the top positional player taken, if it wasn't "The Bryce Harper Draft".  The Floridan shortstop has drawn comparisons to former Alex Rodriguez, but we think that is pushing it.  Machado certainly is a five tool prospect, but we don't think he'll ever be a 40 home run a year kind of guy.   That era of shortstop's hitting 40 plus home runs is over but Machado is a straight stud.

LHP Zach Britton- After pushing through most of their pitching prospects, the Orioles farm system is lacking in that department compared to other years.  The 23 year old Britton had a good season at Triple A, but he lacks the stuff to be a top notch prospect.  Britton is not overpowering, he only struck out 124 batters in 153 innings.  The Orioles rotation looks to be full to start the season, but Britton will get the call with the first injury. 

RHP Dan Klein- The Orioles got a steal with the 85th pick in last year's draft.  Klein is a solid right hander that had a 2.13 era in his last season as a reliever at UCLA.  He was a redshirt sophomore last year, after missing his 2009 season with an injury.  He was looked at as a fringe 1st round pick last draft but teams did not know if they were able to sign the right hander.  Klein could be fast tracked to the majors in a relief role if his shoulder health holds up.

2B L.J. Hoes- Hoes is the Orioles long term replacement for Brian Roberts at 2nd base.  He was planning on going to UNC but instead signed with the Orioles after getting drafted in the 3rd round of 2008.  Last year the 20 year old played for 3 different teams and hit .290 but only hit 24 doubles and 4 homers.  The lack of Hoes production, and his high ranking shows how bad their farm system falls off after Machado and Britton. 

OF Xavier Avery-  The speedy outfielder was a 2nd round pick in 2008.  He ended last year at Double A and hit .271 and had 38 stolen bases in 136 games.  Avery is nothing but a mid level prospect with fringe starter or 4th outfielder potential.  We probably won't hear much from him the next couple years.

Payroll and DirectionLast season the Orioles paid out just over 91 million dollars. Their highest paid player remains Brian Roberts, making 10 million a year, but they're getting a great value on Wieters at 400,000 dollars a year in his pre-arbitration years. The Orioles could potentially make a run to become a top team in the AL East in the future. Remember the way the Rays went from cellar dweller to powerhouse in a short time span. It will take good prospect development and maybe a major free agent signing, but look for the Orioles to eventually build a program that can compete with monsters they are forced to contend with.