O’s select LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman with the fourth-overall pick

By Olivia Witherite (@oliviawitherite)

With the fourth overall pick in the First Year Player Draft, the Orioles selected LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman. A righty, Gausman has pitched to an 11-1 record this season in the very strong SEC.

Upon being picked, Gausman took a conference call, and as transcribed by MASN’s Steve Melewski, the sophomore stated that he is “truly honored to be selected by Baltimore, an organization that is so well known and has been around baseball so long.”

In high school, he was a two time All-State selection, a two-time Perfect Game High School American, an Under Armour All-American and an AFLAC All-American, among other honors. After his senior year, he was selected in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but chose to go to college to improve his already impressive game.

He countered the high school honors with a complete game versus Tennessee, 10 strikeouts versus Alabama in May 2011, a two-time honor as SEC Freshman of the Week and a fastball that touches 100 mph.

Beyond the great fastball, the right-hander has also added tools to his belt. He stated that he just started throwing a curveball this season. He also has a slider, but it is not consistent.

“I’ll be a fastball-changeup guy my entire career, but what is going to make the biggest difference is which breaking pitch I will decide to throw and which will be my bread and butter and which one I may do away with,” Gausman said.

His numbers from his two years at LSU are: 15-7, 3.15 ERA, 197 IP, 47 BBs, 211 Ks

Oh, yeah. And he likes doughnuts. He eats four mini powdered ones between innings. He has been doing it since middle school.

Forget seeds and bubble gum, but don’t forget the name Kevin Gausman.