It will be interesting to see how the Orioles’ farm strength translates into W/L success in the next 5-10 years. The organizational goal isn’t to have the best minor league system but to have the best major league team. Mike Elias has drafted a ton of position players, and the assumption is that he will eventually need to trade some of those bats for arms. So far that hasn’t happened, and until it does (or until the Orioles decide to sign some impact starters ha ha) the team will likely remain middling in the AL East standings.

The organizational goal isn’t to have the best minor league system but to have the best major league team.

True, and the best organizations produce a useful minor league system without having to finish last for a half decade or more.

3 of their top 10, 5 of their top 15 prospects are pitchers (MLB.com). Of course two will get hurt and at least one will be no better than average and, sure, you still want at least one Jon Lester and one John Lackey (personal favorites) added on but it's not like they are bereft of pitching hope over the next few years. Still, I suspect a bit of the plexiglass principle to come into play and the O's will be 500ish this year.