Orioles may have found 3 hidden gems on Day 2 of the 2025 MLB Draft

The MLB Draft is, for many reasons, a bit of a crap shoot. Unlike other major sports, prospects aren't selected and immediately playing against big league competition. After the Draft, a team's player development system becomes just as important as the ability to draft itself and that is particularly true when it comes to the Baltimore Orioles.

When looking at Day 2 of the MLB Draft, outside of the top three rounds, teams are just searching for diamonds in the rough. Any sure-fire prospect went in the first round, any guys with one or two elite traits went in the second or third, and after that, you're throwing darts.

That's something that the Orioles have done very successfully in the past, though. Some former fourth-round picks by the O's include Joey Ortiz and Coby Mayo, both big leaguers. Prospects Creed Willems and Braxton Bragg were both eighth-rounders, and Michael Forret went in round 14. There's talent to be found if you know where to look.

Here are some potentially high-upside Orioles Day 2 picks

Caden Hunter, LHP, USC (Round 6, No. 184)

After starting his career at Sierra College, a two-year school, Hunter transferred to USC for his junior season, where a solid fastball/changeup combo led to some good success, according to MLB Pipeline's scouting report.

The fastball sits in the low 90's, but Pipeline notes its "good carry," a characteristic fitting the O's model with pitching prospects. Baltimore wants velocity, but they want pitchers who know how to spin the baseball. With over 10 strikeouts per nine in his final season, the stuff is clearly there.

Kailen Hamson, LHP, University of the Cumberlands (Round 8, No. 244)

The University of the Cumberlands, a DII school, may not have provided elite competition for Hamson during his final collegiate season. But 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings with a fastball up to 96 and a good spin rate, according to Jim Callis, is enough to catch the eye.

According to MLB.com, Hamson, a native of Australia, has a five-pitch mix highlighted by that fastball with good velocity. That's enough to be intriguting.

Brayden Smith, 2B, Oklahoma State (Round 13, No. 394)

Smith played just one season in the Big 12, but he certainly made the most of it. In 54 games for OK St. last season, Smith hit .304 with a .388 on-base percentage and an OPS of .936. Those are impressive numbers, especially for a 13th-round pick.

At 6'0 190 lbs, according to Baseball Reference, the left-handed hitter may not be a physical presence as an athlete, but he still hit 11 home runs and knocked 16 doubles in his junior year. The walk rate wasn't high with 28 in 54 games, but that production is good enough to take a swing on close to pick 400.

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