3 MLB Draft prospects that would be perfect fits in Baltimore

The headliner of this year's MLB Draft could be another Holliday. This year, Ethan Holliday, younger brother of Jackson, could be the first pick in the draft, just as Jackson was just a few seasons ago.

Jackson has since become the top prospect in baseball and an All-Star hopeful this season, yet another success story from Baltimore's draft picks under Mike Elias. This season, the O's hold picks 19, 30 and 31, a golden opportunity to bolster their farm system.

Here, we'll break down some of the best fits for the O's at pick 19.

Jace LaViolette - OF

The 6'6, 230 pound outfielder was considered by some during the preseason to be the top pick in this draft. After a down year at Texas A&M in his junior campaign, though, there's a chance that LaViolette could be available for the Orioles at pick 19.

In his sophomore season, the Florida native looked like one of the best players in college baseball. The lefty hit .305 with a 1.175 OPS and mashed 29 home runs, walking 64 times in 68 games. His power numbers took a bit of a dip this season.

On the year, LaViolette still had an OPS of 1.003, but his batting average dropped by nearly 50 points, and his slugging percentage 150 points. Even still, the upside is too great not to take a chance on.

Xavier Neyens - 3B

It's not too hard to see why many mock drafts have projected Neyens to end up in an Orioles uniform.

A high schooler out of Washington, Neyens boasts 65 grade power from the left side of the plate, according to MLB Pipeline. Four of the last five O's first picks in the MLB Draft have been left-handed hitters.

His profile matches what the O's have liked out of their high draft picks, too. The Athletic notes his low chase rates, and Pipeline and Baseball America rave about his physicality and athletic ability. That's a formula Baltimore has gravitated towards.

Devin Taylor - OF

Did I mention that the Orioles like left-handed hitters? Enter Taylor, one of the best left-handed bats available in this year's class.

Taylor, a corner outfielder out of Indiana, packs a punch with a bat. This season, he mashed .374 with an on-base percentage close to .500 and a 1.200 OPS. He also walked 52 times compared to just 30 strikeouts.

MLB Pipeline does note, though, that Taylor has “fringy” speed, arm strength and defensive instincts. As a corner outfielder, too, he doesn't hold the same positional value as some others in the class. The Orioles have tended to draft up-the-middle prospects (shortstops and center fielders).

The O's farm system could use an injection of life, and any of these prospects would do just that.

More Orioles News from Birds Watcher