With the 2019 MLB draft coming up on Monday, the Orioles have a real chance to draft an impact talent with the first overall pick. Most draft experts have the team picking Catcher Adley Rutschman out of Oregon State but there have been rumblings that general manager Mike Elias will take a different player in order to use the team's slot savings to sign more expensive high school prospects in the later rounds. Here's an overview of four players that have been linked to the Orioles or predicted to be taken in the top 5.
C Adley Rutschman - Oregon State University
Described by Baseball America as the best prospect since Bryce Harper, Rutschman is a switch hitting catcher who has hit over .400 in his past two seasons. Defensively, he is solid with a plus arm and the ability to consistently block balls in the dirt. ESPN's Keith Law wrote that he is better defensively then Buster Posey was on his draft day. At the plate Rutschman limits strikeouts and has a good batting eye. Each of his seasons in college the catcher has walked more then he's struck out, showing the ability to make consistent contact. Furthermore, he has shown the ability to tap into his raw power in game recently and has become the full package at the plate. Rutschman's main weakness is that he's slow and runs like a catcher although some scouts have raised concerns about a hitch in his right handed swing that may cause him to struggle against lefties.
SS Bobby Witt Jr. - Colleyville Heritage High School, Texas
Witt is a five tool player. He has shown the ability to make consistent contact and has plus power and speed. Defensively, he is smooth at shortstop and likely to stick at the position and may even be a plus defender there. His approach at the plate is very aggressive so Witt doesn't walk a ton but shows the ability to use the whole field and go with the pitch. Many scouts believe he could be a 20-20 player with his speed and raw power. The main concern with Witt is the fact that he is 19 and has been playing against younger competition during his entire high school career.
SS CJ Abrams - Blessed Trinity High School, Georgia
While Abrams has many intriguing tools, his speed is the best, drawing comparisons to Dee Gordon. Others have described it as "double plus" and called his trips around the bases effortless. As a lefty, Abrams swing has been described as loose and easy. He makes consistent contact and sprays line drives around the field. While he is athletic enough to stick at shortstop, some scouts thinks he profiles better and second base or even center field where his plus plus speed will be an asset. Abrams's main weakness is the fact that he is incredibly raw and will need plenty of time in the minors. Furthermore, some scouts are unsure whether he will ever tap into his raw power to be a real power threat in the big leagues.
1B Andrew Vaughn - University of California
Vaughn has been described by scouts as the best pure hitter in the 2019 draft class. He has an advanced approach at the plate, making consistent contact and walking much more then he strikes out. The first baseman has above average power to go along with his plate discipline as we;;. He is, however, short in stature, especially for a first baseman but is solid defensively and has shown some ability to play third as well the outfield.
Комментарии