With the Orioles in full-blown rebuild mode, the 2019 draft was a chance to infuse a middle of the road farm system with impact talent. It was also the most exciting event fans had to look forward to all season, many having watch parties, which to this writer was mind boggling. With the first overall pick, GM Mike Elias drafted switch hitting catcher Adley Rutschman out of Oregon State, who we covered in detail here. The Orioles employed an "up the middle" strategy, at least in the first ten rounds, drafting three catchers, three center fielders, and three shortstops. It seems Elias's plan was to draft the best athletes and move them to other positions accordingly.
Interesting Players Outside Adley
SS Gunnar Henderson - For an organization lacking impact bats in the minor leagues, especially in the infield, Henderson was a great get for Elias. Taken with the 42nd pick, the high school SS was projected to go anywhere from the 17th to the 35th pick so it seems the club got great value for their pick position. However, Henderson wants first round money to go with his first round talent so the Orioles will likely have to overpay a bit. A big left handed hitter, there are questions whether he can stick defensively at SS. Unlike Orioles prospect Ryan Mountcastle, however, scouts believe he can slide over to 3rd and be solid there, especially because he possess a strong arm. He displays solid bat speed and above average raw power to go along with a sweet swing. My personal favorite pick in the draft.
CF Zach Watson - Drafted in the third round, Watson is as toolsy as they come. Scouts have graded his speed and defense as a 70 on the 80 scale. He covers ground and should be an elite defender and base runner at the next level. Questions exist, however, about his ability to hit professional pitching. His swing mechanics cause him to commit to pitches too early and there is a real concern about his ability to hit quality breaking pitches. He is a project for the Orioles' player development staff but if he becomes an average hitter, his defense and speed will add a lot of value to a major league roster.
SS Joey Ortiz - I really like this pick because Ortiz is already a smooth defender at short and has a chance to be elite at the next level. While he is undersized, the shortstop out of New Mexico State has solid bat to ball skills and he shows the ability to make consistent contact, batting over .400 this past season. However, there are questions about his ability to hit for power. If Elias and company can help Ortiz generate more power without sacrificing his ability to make contact, they could have an elite player on their hands.
C Maverick Handley - While at first glance Handley may not look like much, he has two things going for him. Taken out of Stanford in the 6th round, the backstop is very good defensively and he gets on base. He possesses a strong arm behind the dish along with the ability to block balls well and move smoothly. While his offensive game needs development, he will be an interesting guy to follow especially if Rutschman moves positions as hinted at by Mike Elias.
Closer Kyle Martin - A 15th round pick out of Fordham University, Martin reminds me a bit of former Orioles reliever Brad Brach. He has a similar sidearm/three quarters delivery and falls off the mound after following through. He displays a fastball/slider mix and struck out 65 batters in a bit over 44 innings in his most recent season.
Other Observations
First of all, the first ten rounds of the draft were very position player heavy. While the draft was seen as light on pitching this year, it was an interesting strategy by Elias and one I agree with. Looking at the Orioles' talent pipeline they have about fifteen or so intriguing pitchers at AA or lower with Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall both possessing top of the rotation upside. For once, the organization's pitching depth is strong. On the other hand, the farm system lacks both impact position players and athletes. With nine of his first eleven picks, Elias rectified this situation by adding high upside infielders and interesting toolsy athletes that could become good players with development.
Another interesting thing was how some of the pitchers he selected didn't have the most impressive statistics in their college careers. It indicates a shift in strategy and illustrates the impact of analytics on the team's drafting. Perhaps these players had high spin rates on breaking pitches or elite velocity that Elias felt the team's new developmental and analytical teams could use to coach them into being productive major league players. It will be an interesting process to follow.
"He's got a baseball name": A Power Ranking
10) RHP Griffin McLarty (8): Honestly McLarty is just fun to say.
9) RHP Morgan McSweeney (17): Just some solid alliteration.
8) CF Bobby Zmarzlak (40): He was a 40th round pick but I'm rooting for him just so I can hear Gary Thorne try to pronounce his last name, give up half way through, and then slur the rest.
7) SS Gunnar Henderson (2): "Chopper to third, snagged by Henderson, Gunnar GUNS it over to first for the out." He's got a strong arm and his name reflects that.
6) RHP Clayton McGinness (20): Gary Thorne enjoys a pint of McGinness or two during broadcasts.
5) CF Johnny Rizer (7): Let's hope he "rizes" to the occasion.
4) 3B Toby Welk (21): I bet this kid had "The Office" jokes made about him his entire life. Persevering through such verbal abuse shows moxy.
3) C Maverick Handley (6): Just check out this guy's mustache. The moxy is off the charts.
2) C Jordan Cannon (10): "That throw to second was shot out of a Cannon" - Jim Hunter, 2021
1) RHP Dan Hammer (13): Too bad he's not a slugger or this name would be even more perfect. But if he becomes a closer, he can come into the ninth to "nail this one down." And if baseball fails, he'll always have an opportunity in the adult film industry with that name.
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