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Orioles Draft Dylan Beavers in Competitive Balance Round

By Michael Najarian

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 21: General Manager Mike Elias of the Baltimore Orioles watches batting practice before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 21, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 21: General Manager Mike Elias of the Baltimore Orioles watches batting practice before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 21, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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In Competitive Balance Round A of the draft, the Orioles chose outfielder Dylan Beavers, bringing a powerful lefty into the talented farm system.

Sunday night was Day One of the draft, with 80 combined selections being made by 30 MLB teams across multiple rounds of the draft, and the Orioles had four total picks. The first two were the first overall pick and the 33rd overall pick in Competitive Balance Round A.

The Orioles took shortstop Jackson Holliday with the first overall pick. While you may know about him since he was taken with the top overall pick, the Orioles took Dylan Beavers, an outfielder from the University of California with the 33rd pick. Since you may not know who Beavers is, let’s get to know him.

Beavers is a 20-year-old outfielder who is 6′ 4″ and 206 pounds. He is a lefty bat and throws right and will be turning 21 next month. Beavers is coming off a season in which he slugged .630 at Cal, despite an unorthodox swing.

According to MLB Pipeline, Beavers has a below average hit tool, coming in at a 45 rating. His power is above average at 55, with his arm rated at 55, along with his running. His fielding is rated at 50. When Beavers is on a roll, he has the upside of a five-tool player, with everything clicking.

In 2021, Beavers gave some scouts a Christian Yelich impression as someone who makes good decisions on when to swing, and he makes hard contact in the strike zone. His unusual swing does have some holes in it, and he has some timing issues because of it, but some development in the minor leagues can hopefully change that.

In terms of his defense, Beavers may be able to stick in center field thanks to his running, which makes him cover a lot of ground fast. His arm may be a better fit in right field, but no matter where he is put, the defense is something that could become valuable.

Yes, the Orioles just drafted a guy who needs work in order to become great. But they wouldn’t have taken him if they didn’t think they could help make him great, or if they thought he had too many issues. Beavers has his flaws, yes, but with a little more seasoning and development, he can become another stalwart in the Orioles outfield in due time.

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