Orioles Take Mike Flacco in 31st Round!!!!

BREAKING:  Mike Flacco, a third baseman from Catonsville Community College (CCBC), was selected by the O’s in the 31st round of the 2009 MLB Draft.  Flacco is the brother of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, and was selected with the fifth pick on the draft’s third day, pick #926 overall.  At CCBC this season, Flacco was named to the NJCAA All-American third team.  

Joe’s brother was listed as a third baseman when his name was called through the Orioles’ speakerphone, and the Orioles’ representatives added that he was Joe Flacco’s brother.  Mike is 6’4″ and weighs 215 lbs.  He played only one year at CCBC, but led the team with 67 hits, 14 home runs and 51 RBIs, along with an impressive .399 batting average.  According to Angels scout Jerry Wargo, Mike has “a short, compact swing, average speed and an easy-working arm with a throw that beats you by a step to first base, no matter how fast you’re running.”  He adds that the younger Flacco has a good work ethic and ‘good blood.’

Flacco has no reason not to sign, being at a school that is by no means a national baseball power like Florida State, so unless he receives a scholarship offer to transfer, which might be unlikely now that he was drafted by his local team, he should sign soon and start slowly in the Gulf Coast League or report to Minor League Camp.  Seeing him play once, he reminds me of Joe Crede a bit (when he was good) and also of current Orioles third base prospect Tyler Kolodny.

NOTE: BirdsWatcher is the first media source to report this news.