Could the Baltimore Orioles pass on Adley Rutschman?
By Jason Evans
The Baltimore Orioles hold the number one pick in the draft tonight. Could they pass on Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman?
New Baltimore Orioles GM Mike Elias will helm his first draft tonight as the Baltimore Orioles hold the number one pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Elias was a part of the Houston Astros organization back in 2012 when the team selected Carlos Correa first instead of Stanford pitcher Mark Appel. Could Elias pull a similar move with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 and pass on Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman?
"The night before the Draft is often a time for chatter about changes at the very top of the first round. And this year is no different.All spring, Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman has been atop all talent rankings. And there was a general consensus that he should, and would, be the No. 1 pick. The Orioles, led by GM Mike Elias, are staying mum. Early on there was talk that they were looking at a large number of players, but it seemed likely Baltimore would go with the best player on the board, in Rutschman.Now, about 24 hours before the first pick is announced, there is some buzz that the Orioles will not be taking the switch-hitting backstop. High-level scouts from two different teams picking later in the first round were insistent that Baltimore is not planning on taking Rutschman.Could it be posturing? Absolutely. But there is some noise that things are up in the air in the Orioles’ Draft room. Even if Rutschman isn’t completely out of the mix, it sounds like the Orioles are seriously discussing numerous options. Cal first baseman Andrew Vaughn is considered one of the top two alternatives, followed by a relatively new name in terms of serious conversation: Vanderbilt outfielder JJ Bleday. And some feel Texas prep shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is still a possibility.None of these players would be considered a serious money-saver, so the impetus for not taking Rutschman would not be to manipulate their bonus pool in the hopes of aggressively pursuing tough-to-sign talent in the second round."
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Rutschman put up insane stats for Oregon State, the defending national champs who were eliminated from the NCAA tournament over the weekend. Rutschman hit .418 with a 1.344 OPS in 56 games.
Among the Baltimore Orioles top 30 prospects, only one catcher is among the group, Brett Cumberland at 22.
Are the Baltimore Orioles looking to just manipulate their draft pool? Maybe go with Witt and a harder to sign prospect in round two as suggested above? Maybe.
To me, this would be a mistake. If you can get high-level offensive production behind the dish, it makes your team that much better.
Next. Jimmy Nelson returning on Wednesday. dark
Championship teams are built up the middle. The Baltimore Orioles have a chance to make catcher a huge strength for the next 15 years. They shouldn’t pass on that.