This Georgia Tech standout is exactly the kind of player the Orioles are always looking for in the draft

Drew Burress doesn't look like your typical power-hitting outfielder. At just 5’9”, he's one of the shortest players projected to go in the first round in next month’s draft. However, in recent years, players like Corbin Carroll have demonstrated that height doesn't have to get in the way of a successful MLB career. While Burress will have his work cut out for him if he wants to follow in Carroll's diminutive footsteps, his play at Georgia Tech makes it possible to dream on his potential. The Orioles could be looking at a home run with the 7th overall pick.

Blessed with their fifth top 10 pick in the last seven years, Baltimore does have an opportunity to draft a high end arm in an effort to bolster the pitching in the organization, which has been a major weak spot as of late. One option is RHP Jackson Flora out of UC Santa Barbara, who looks to be one of the first few pitchers taken in the draft. If available at pick seven, the Orioles may be too tempted by Flora's high strikeout stuff to pass him up. 

However, the team has used their previous top 10 picks exclusively on position players. This includes Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, and Adley Rutschman. While those picks have yielded a bit of a mixed bag of results thus far, the team's offensive-minded approach has proven to be somewhat effective. GM Mike Elias and company may look to continue that trend with the selection of Burress. 

Drew Burress fits the Orioles draft mold

In his three years at Georgia Tech, Burress managed to achieve a .357 career batting average while posting an eye-popping 1.204 OPS. Those numbers were supported by 60 long balls in just 179 career games. Not too shabby for a player that lacks the typical frame of an elite outfielder. And his offensive value isn't just limited to his work driving the ball over the fence either. Burress displayed elite plate discipline during his entire time in college. He was able to draw a walk in close to 20% of his career plate appearances. Paired with his pop, his ability to understand the strike zone may be what keeps the short slugger from becoming a draft bust. 

On the defensive side, Burress is graded as an above average defender with a strong arm and great speed. Unlike Carroll, scouts believe that Burress’ skill set could allow him to stick in center field during the majority of his professional career. Despite his small size, he has shown the ability to cover ground and take smart routes to fly balls. This means that he should be able to handle the gaps in Camden Yards without much issue. With the amount of runs the Orioles staff gives up, having a guy like Burress in center could make a massive difference.   

While maybe not quite a true five-tool player, Burress will have a chance to show off his skills and quickly rise through the Orioles' minor league system. Compared to Enrique Bradfield Jr., Burress is more likely to be able to handle the pitching talent effectively throughout each minor league level. Although he doesn’t have the same blazing speed as Bradfield Jr., it wouldn’t be shocking for Burress to achieve a 20/20 season in the near future, especially since he excels at getting on base at an impressive pace.   

Burress might not jump off the page as a must-have prospect and future All-Star, but he showcased a high-level of play at Georgia Tech. With experts expecting him to be taken off the board fairly early, it is clear that MLB teams have taken notice of his ability. Jim Callis of MLB.com is currently projecting the Orioles to select Burress with the 7th overall pick, but a team like the Royals or Pirates could very easily snatch him up right ahead of Baltimore. 

Regardless of who the Orioles draft in the first round, Elias and the front office are deservedly under mounting pressure to deliver. Drafting a bust could fire up the hot seat to a temperature that Elias won’t be able to withstand.  

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