3 pitchers the Orioles should target in the 2024 MLB Draft

The 2024 MLB Draft is right around the corner, kicking off on Sunday and running through Tuesday evening. The Orioles will have the 22nd pick in the first round, as well as the 32nd overall pick thanks to a Prospect Promotion Incentive award stemming from Gunnar Henderson's Rookie of the Year victory in 2023.

There are a number of directions the Orioles could go in this year's draft. It's possible they lean toward a college bat like Caleb Lomavita of Cal, or a prep bat like Theo Gillen out of Westlake HS.

The O's have yet to take a pitcher in the first round under GM Mike Elias' purview. It's been since 2018, when Dan Duquette selected righty Grayson Rodriguez with the 11th overall pick, that the O's have taken a hurler that early. Rodriguez has obviously panned out well for the Orioles but it's unclear whether Elias and top man Sig Mejdal are willing to stray from their proven path. We'll find out on Sunday.

Three pitchers who make sense for the Orioles in the 2024 MLB Draft

Brody Brecht is a flame-throwing righty out of Iowa who has drawn comparisons to Pirates' phenom Paul Skenes. While Brecht isn't quite on Skenes' level just yet, he is an impressive arm and has been linked to the Orioles already this year.

Brecht has had a ton of success at Iowa in his time there. He pitched to a 3.33 ERA in 15 starts for the Hawkeyes in 2024 while notching 128 strikeouts in 78.1 innings. MLB Pipeline has Brecht ranked at number 21 overall and cites his fastball velocity and wipeout slider as his best characteristics.

Brecht likely needs a more tuned approach if he's to succeed in the professional ranks but he has the tools to get there. The O's pitching development team might be able to work wonders with this kid.

William Schmidt is a prep righty out of Catholic HS in Baton Rouge, LA. While Schmidt is committed to LSU, he has a nasty curveball that has scouts eyeing him as a first round talent.

Despite his age, Schmidt already has a fastball that touches the high-90's and an advanced feel for the breaking ball. He'll definitely need to add at least one more pitch once he gets to professional ball but his ability to throw strikes has gotten him a long way already.

It would be uncharacteristic of Elias and the Orioles to draft a prep pitcher but Schmidt is a unique talent with some of the best stuff in the entire draft class. It'll be interesting to see if teams shy away, assuming Schmidt will be looking for over-slot money.

Jurrangelo Cijntje is an incredibly unique switch pitcher, operating from both sides of the mound at Mississippi State. He'll almost certainly have to pick a side once he gets into an MLB organization, and scouts seem to think that he'll lean towards throwing right handed where he profiles a bit better.

Cijntje is more of a power pitcher from the right side, sitting mid-90's with the fastball with a hard slider and power changeup. He's more of a junk baller from the left side and has struggled to miss bats as a lefty.

Cijntje isn't just a fun story. He's a capable arm deserving of a first round pick. We'll have to wait and see whether Elias and Mejdal stick to their strategy of taking hitters or if they opt to use one of their top two picks on an arm this year.