Grading each Orioles pick from Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft

Ever since Mike Elias took over as the Baltimore Orioles GM in 2018, the Orioles have been known for heavily targeting college bats in the draft. This year, the Orioles broke away from that reputation and, on the first day of the draft, pursued multiple high-upside high schoolers and an interesting arm. The Orioles going off script made for an interesting and potentially highly impactful draft as the organization attempts to evolve after their rebuild has stagnated.

The Orioles set the tone for their first day of the draft with the number 7 pick taking Eric Booth Jr. Once he signs he'll be the Orioles consensus #1 prospect.

The Orioles made two big upside bets on day 1 of the draft

7th overall pick: Eric Booth Jr., CF, Oak Grove HS

Of the players that were realistically going to be available around where the Orioles were picking, Booth Jr. was the player they most coveted in this draft. The Orioles were fortunate that he lasted long enough for them to take him with the 7th overall pick. Booth Jr just barely turned 18; he has excellent physical tools that show up both at the plate and in the field. If he's able to add power like his frame suggests he should, he could be an impact bat in centerfield. At a spot in the draft where the Orioles could have easily played it safe with another college bat, it was encouraging to see them make a pick with this much upside.

A

46th overall pick: Ty Head, CF, NC State

This was a very on-brand pick for the Orioles. Head is a high-floor college outfield prospect; his defense in center and ability to put the bat on the ball should make him almost a lock to one day reach the big leagues. He currently lacks the power to be an impact bat, but if the Orioles are able to develop that, Head could quickly be considered a steal. That's a lot easier said than done though.

C+

82nd overall pick: Dominic Voegele, RHP, Kansas

Voegele was a big reach for the Orioles in the third round. Not that the MLB pipeline rankings are everything, but Voegele was the first player taken in this draft who was ranked outside the top 200 prospects. The Orioles rarely take pitchers in the top 100 picks of the draft, so the fact that they went out of their way to take Voegele this early would seem to indicate that there is something about his profile that they feel like they will be able to develop and quickly turn into an impact arm.

C

110th overall pick: Kevin Roberts Jr., CF, Jackson Prep

The bonuses for each of the Orioles draft picks are not yet reported, but it wouldn't be at all surprising if the point of the Orioles' second and third round picks were to save money for a player like Roberts Jr. Roberts Jr. is still just 17 years old and is considered to be one of the best athletes in this draft. He's huge, strong, and fast all good things for baseball. The actual baseball skills are what's going to need a lot of work. All of the raw tools that it takes to be a great baseball player are there; it's up to the Orioles to help him put them together.

A

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow