Baltimore Orioles top 10 prospects for 2019

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Omaha, NE – JUNE 26: pitcher Blaine Knnight #16 of the Arkansas Razorbacks delivers a picth in the first third against the Oregon State Beavers during game one of the College World Series Championship Series on June 26, 2018 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Blaine Knight, RHP

Birthday: 6/28/1996 (22)
Acquired: Draft, 3rd round, 2018
Level(s): short-season A Aberdeen
Statistics: 4 G, 10 1/3 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 6.4% BB, 17% K

The words were clear during the College World Series broadcast in June. As Blaine Knight pitched his Arkansas Razorbacks toward a possible championship, the announcers for ESPN mentioned how unfortunate it was for Knight to go to the Baltimore Orioles with their pitching development program. Yet, for his pitching style and development needed, there may not be a better fit for Knight.

Knight is a rail-thin 6’3″ right-handed starter who has the ability to dial up his fastball to 97-98 and sit 92-95 with some very good arm side movement. He has tremendous spin on his slider and some feel for his changeup. He works in a slow curve infrequently, but has shown good feel for when to use the pitch to leave hitters completely stumped in the box.

After a long season with Arkansas and a heavy workload with the Razorbacks, the Orioles didn’t push Knight heavily in 2018, so there wasn’t a heavy look at him. He could open in low-A, but it would not surprise at all if he jumps right up to high-A to open his 2019.

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