When people bring up the 2019 MLB draft in conversation, the first name everyone thinks of is Adley Rutschman. How could it not be? Finding a switch-hitting catcher that can hit for power and average while also playing outstanding defense behind the plate is similar to finding a needle in a hay stack. He is the one player in this draft that I for sure believe will evolve into a future superstar. So he should go no. 1 overall to the Baltimore Orioles. But the MLB draft is different from other sports, and people are starting to say that Baltimore may pass on the Oregon State receiver.
You're probably asking yourself why in God's name would Baltimore do this? There are essentially 2 reasons why they could choose to go another route.
- Lack Of Talent In Organization
As we all already know, the Baltimore Orioles are bad. Very bad. The MLB roster is horrid and while they do have 4 top 100 prospects, they range from 65-97 overall. Whoever they draft will instantly become their new no. 1 overall prospect. People are saying they could draft someone like slugger Andrew Vaughn or CJ Abrams for underslot value. This would still give them an elite prospect while saving money for the rounds to follow, allowing them to sign other draft picks to overslot value using the money they saved from before. As the draft goes on, it becomes harder to sign prospects, especially prep players who have commitments to play in college. Having more money to offer makes that easier. An example of this is when the White Sox gave Bryce Bush 290K in the 33rd round last year. If the Orioles really want to add as much talent as possible, drafting a player like Vaughn or Abrams is definitely in play.
2. Timeline
Because the Orioles are so awful, drafting Rutschman might not make sense for Baltimore's timeline. Many scouts are saying that he will be ready for the MLB as soon as sometime next year. If this turns out to be true, the Orioles would be starting his service clock long before they would be close to being good again. And while he would definitely make them a better team, no single player is good enough to completely turn a team around. Especially one as bad as Baltimore. Look at Mike Trout in Anaheim. Arguably the greatest to ever play the game and the Angels haven't done anything noteworthy in a while. Any other prospect will take a few years to make it to the MLB. By that time, Baltimore will have a much clearer future and hopefully a better team.
While it is still unlikely that Baltimore passes on a talent like Rutschman, its not completely out of the question that they decide to go a different direction for the long term benefit of the club. And Kansas City seems to be in love with Bobby Witt Jr. so maybe the White Sox can be the be the beneficiaries of some good luck (God knows they deserve some).
People were shocked when Carlos Rodon fell to the White Sox at no. 3. Hopefully we see something similar with Rutschman in June.
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