All but eight of the top 30 candidates were drafted (13), signed (three) or traded (six) while Elias was Baltimore’s GM, with half the exceptions ranked in their mid-20s. Of course, that’s partly because it’s been 3½ years since Duquette’s time at Baltimore and some of the players he’s added like Cedric Mullins, Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Hays have lost their prospect status in recent years. Still, the roster serves as a testament to Elias’ talent acquisition efforts, and that could be even more the case in 2023 if Rodriguez, Hall, and backend prospects like Zac Lowther and Alexander Wells spend enough time in the majors this year.
