The Baltimore Orioles didn’t have a game last night, but they did take a big step forward in their rebuilding project via the MLB Draft.
As expected, the Baltimore Orioles used their 11th overall pick in the MLB Draft to select a hard-throwing pitcher — just not the one that everyone was expecting. MLB.com draft forecasters Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis predicted that righty Grayson Rodriguez would come off the board late in the first round, but the Birds were clearly taken with the Texan, choosing him several spots higher than that.
So what do we know about the Orioles’ newest blue chip prospect? Rodriguez’s main calling card is his fastball, with numerous analysts touting his natural velocity. At just 18, it may take a while for him to develop, but the potential to be a rotation anchor is there. For what it’s worth, Rodriguez is from South Texas, where the Birds have been successful in the past — per Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun, scout Thom Dreier selected pitchers Tanner Scott and Donnie Hart from the same area, both of whom have had MLB success.
Rodriguez’s development is something to keep an eye on going forward, but don’t forget about the current Orioles — they kick off a two-game series against the Mets tonight at 7:10 p.m. Until then, here’s what you might have missed yesterday.
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Best of Baltimore Orioles news and analysis across the web from 6/4/18
Cadyn Grenier Drafted by The Baltimore Orioles: Rodriguez wasn’t the only player the Orioles drafted on Monday night — they also took Oregon State shortstop Cadyn Grenier with the 37th overall pick. Marcus Russell of Building the Dam has the skinny on the phenomenal fielder.
Orioles set blueprint for rebuild during MLB draft, filling needs for pitching upside, infielder: With Rodriguez and Grenier, the Orioles selected two potential building blocks that could be a part of their next contending team. In this piece, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun spoke to scouting director Gary Rajsich about the future of the franchise.
What to expect from new Orioles catcher Austin Wynns: Neither Caleb Joseph nor Andrew Susac could cut the mustard, so the Birds are handing the backup catcher job to the 27-year-old Wynns, who has a .257/.314/.404 slash line in Triple-A. Tyler Young of Camden Chat has more.
Next: The top 5 strikeout pitchers in Orioles history
Do you think the Birds made the right decision in taking Rodriguez? Let us know on social media, and keep it here at Birds Watcher for more updates on the Baltimore Orioles.