Orioles make dream selection to kick off 2026 MLB Draft after Pirates, Royals allow consensus top pick to fall

Despite the Orioles' strong track record of targeting college position players in the draft, one of the names they were closely tied to throughout the draft process was Eric Booth Jr. In 2022, the Orioles demonstrated that they were willing to draft from the high school ranks if they felt confident in that player's ability to adjust to professional ball by drafting Jackson Holliday. Holliday hasn't yet become a star, but his fast ascent through the minors proved the Orioles correct in assessing his pro readiness. Clearly, they saw some of the same traits in Booth. The only issue was that Booth was viewed as the clear-cut second-best high schooler in the draft after Grady Emerson, and most mock drafts had him being taken before the Orioles' number seven pick.

Fortunately for the Orioles, the draft broke in their favor. The first four picks of the draft went almost exactly as everyone predicted, but when the fifth and sixth picks came up, the Pirates and the Royals went off script. The Pirates took LSU outfielder Derek Curiel, and the Royals took Louisville outfielder Zion Rose. Suddenly the Orioles were up at seven with an embarrassment of riches as far as who they could choose. Two of the top high school talents were available in Booth Jr. and Jacob Lombard, as well as one of the best college bats that the Orioles had also been connected to in Drew Burress.

The draft board fell perfectly for the Baltimore Orioles

With all of their top choice available, the pick came down to who the Orioles liked the most. They sent the pick in, and moments later, Rob Manfred walked on the draft stage and announced that the Orioles had drafted Eric Booth Jr.

The fact that all of the Orioles' preferred players were available to them and they took Booth Jr. bodes very well for the prospects. This was not a situation where the Orioles got a consolation prize or had to go with a backup plan. This was the player they wanted the most, and they got him.

Booth Jr's speed and defensive ability in centerfield, along with his commitment to Vanderbilt, made it easy for some fans to draw a connection to recent Orioles first-round pick Enrique Bradfield Jr. (they're even both juniors!). However, the key difference between the two prospects is that Booth Jr. has real power upside. Booth Jr., as a high schooler, is much bigger and stronger than Bradfield Jr. was as a college player; he's already hitting the ball harder, and his frame suggests he'll naturally grow into more power. Bradfield Jr's tools are going to make him a major leaguer; Booth Jr. has those tools with the addition of power, which makes it possible to dream on him becoming an All-Star.

Booth Jr. is far from a finished product. The Orioles will have to develop the in-game power and make some swing adjustments to get him lifting the ball more often. That's to be expected when drafting a high school player. The Orioles didn't want Booth Jr. becuase of the player he is today; they wanted him becuase he possesses the tools to grow into a special player. It also helps that his speed and defense give him a high floor and path to the majors even if the power doesn't come along at first.

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