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Orioles Address Pitching Needs in MLB Draft

By Dan Rubin |
May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; A general view of the Major League Baseball "Play Ball" logo on the field before the start of the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; A general view of the Major League Baseball "Play Ball" logo on the field before the start of the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Since 2012 the Orioles problem has been their starting pitching. They addressed this in the draft by selecting 13 pitchers with their first 16 selections.

Since 2012 the Orioles problem has been their starting pitching.  They are ranked 24th in the MLB this season in starters ERA with a 4.84 ERA and are 26th in MLB in starters innings pitched.  They addressed this problem in the draft by selecting 13 pitchers with their first 16 selections.

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    • The draft started off great for the Orioles when they selected a very polished RHP out of University of Illinois named Cody Sedlock.  The main aspect of Sedlock’s game that the Orioles scouting team like about Sedlock’s game is the fact that he can get deep into games.  In 14 starts this season Sedlock averaged 7.2 innings pitched per start.  Sedlock also pitched into the 10th innings twice this season and once pitched into the 11th innings.  Sedlock showcases a four pitches which headlines a 92-95 MPH sinker.  He also throws a sweeping slider, a change-up, and a very slow dropping curve ball which ranges from 78-83 MPH.

    The Orioles decided to take more college pitchers rather than high school pitchers because as of late they have shown the ability to get to the majors quicker than high school pitchers.  Out of the 27 pitchers they took, 20 of then were from college.

    “Hopefully some of these pitchers get into our system and move quickly” – Gary Rajsich

    After taking Sedlock with their first pick, they contained to take college pitchers with their next two picks, drafting Western Michigan LHP Keegan Akin and John A. Logan College (Ill.) RHP Matthias Dietz.

    Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich was very happy with the draft class and he emphasized the focus on pitching.  “Of course, we’re always focused on pitching when we can get it and the fact that we took a lot of pitchers, we were focused on getting pitchers, but at the same time we were focused on some position players. It just seemed like when we got into the meat of the draft in the middle rounds, the pitchers went over the position players.”  Rajsich is referring to the stretch where the Orioles took 10 straight pitchers between rounds 8 and 18.

    The Orioles also took NC State 1B Preston Palmeiro, son of former Oriole first baseman Rafael Palmeiro.  Palmeiro went undrafted in high school but after three very successful seasons at NC State he is ready to make it to the show like his dad.

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