Baltimore Orioles Draft Pick Jack Conlon to Become Free Agent

The Baltimore Orioles passed on signing fourth round draft pick Jack Conlon. Due to the rules governing the selection process, he is set to become a free agent.

During the most recent draft, only three players selected in the first ten rounds did not sign with the teams that selected them. Usually, this means that the player will head to college, and be eligible for the draft either next year or in the future. However, in the case of Baltimore Orioles fourth round draft pick Jack Conlon, his path is going to be different.

As the Orioles refused to offer Conlon a contract following a failed physical, he has been declared a free agent, set to sign with any team. The Orioles also will not get any compensation for failing to sign Conlon, as they did not offer at least 40% of the slot value as a contract.

For Conlon, and other interested teams, this could potentially turn into a positive. As a free agent, he would not be subject to any of the bonus restrictions or slot amounts from the draft. Since he was expected to ink a contract for approximately $1 Million prior to his failed physical, he may be able to get close to the same amount, depending on his medicals.

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Meanwhile, for the Orioles, this has become business as usual. Seemingly every year, there is a pitcher that Baltimore has interest in that they do not sign, or sign for a reduced amount, given problems with their physicals. Of course, most notably in the cases of Grant Balfour and Yovani Gallardo, one could say that the Orioles were proven correct.

It also does raise a red flag for Conlon going forward. Although players have passed physicals with other teams despite failing the Orioles tests, an 18 year old with possible medical problems should be concerning. This may not scare away other interested teams, but it does make his situation bear watching going forward.

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Baltimore Orioles draft pick Jack Conlon will be a free agent after not receiving a contract offer from the Baltimore Orioles. One has to wonder which team will roll the dice and make him an offer.