The time is coming near. The MLB Draft is here.
It’s time we start looking at the last five draft classes for the Orioles and rank them based on certain criteria. What’s taken into effect and consideration is the impact on the current team, impact on the current O’s farm system and performance as a whole.
Without any further ado, let’s get to ranking:
5. 2018 DRAFT
It really sucks to say, but the 2018 Orioles’ draft is the weakest out of the five.
This draft started out hot, as the O’s took right-hander Grayson Rodriguez with the 11th overall. Another big name selected was left-hander Drew Rom, who is a top 30 prospect for the Orioles. But, as a whole, only two players in this draft made an MLB roster so far.
The draft also consists of players who have recently left the organization or were released by the team, players like Cadyn Greiner (37th overall, retired), Robert Neustrom (5th round, released), Ryan Conroy (8th round, released) and Cody Roberts (11th round, Rule 5 Draft 2023).
The draft class for the Orioles in 2018 is just not up to par with the other four and is number five on this list. It’s also the only draft led by former O’s GM Dan Duquette on this list.
4. 2020 DRAFT
When making this list, I had a really tough time with who to put at three and four. I decided that the 2020 draft is fourth for one particular reason. The draft was only five rounds.
It’s unfortunate that this draft is fourth because overall, it’s a fantastic draft class for the Orioles. Six players were drafted, and all six of them are top prospects for the Orioles.
Heston Kjerstad (second overall), Jordan Westburg (30th overall) and Coby Mayo (fourth round) were all selected in this draft. It’s just unfortunate that the only thing holding this draft down in the rankings is how short it was. Damn you, COVID.
3. 2021 DRAFT
Out of the three remaining drafts, the 2021 draft is considered the weakest, which honestly says a lot about how well the Orioles have drafted over the last few years.
Nobody in the 2021 draft has made their MLB debut yet except for the fifth overall pick in Colton Cowser, who debuted earlier just a few days ago.
The 2021 draft included many players who are not known as well as they should be. Some of those players included outfielder Donta’ Williams (fourth round), right-hander Carlos Tavera (fifth round) and right-hander Alex Pham (19th round).
The 2021 draft also included players that have worked their way up the farm system, such as infielder Connor Norby (second round) and right-hander Justin Armbruester (12th round). This draft also included players who are friends with The Baltimore Battery in catcher Creed Willems (eighth round) and right-hander Peter Van Loon (16th round).
While the 2021 draft is very well-rounded, it’s just barely weaker than the next two. Again, that’s saying a lot.
2. 2022 DRAFT
The scariest thing about this draft class is that no player has played a full season of minor league ball, and some of these prospects are being named as big future pieces for the Orioles.
Obviously, the 2022 Orioles draft class is highlighted by No. 1 overall pick, infielder Jackson Holliday, who is now the top overall prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. The draft class also includes names like Jud Fabian (second round), catcher Silas Ardoin (fourth round), right-hander Zack Showalter (11th round) and infielder Carter Young (17th round).
You also see names such as outfielder Dylan Beavers (33rd overall), infielder Max Wagner (second round) and right-hander Trace Bright (fifth round), who are talked about daily around Birdland.
Even down to the 20th-round pick in right-hander Reese Sharp, this draft class is extremely deep. But there is one class just a little bit better. One that changed the Orioles organization completely.
1. 2019 DRAFT
I would dare say that this is one of the best draft classes for a singular team in the history of baseball. This draft has four players who have played at the big league level. Two of them are currently on the Orioles, and one of them is an All-Star in 2023.
Highlighted by first overall pick, catcher Adley Rutschman, and second-round picks, infielder Gunnar Henderson and outfielder Kyle Stowers, the 2019 Orioles draft class is the present and the future.
Players like infielder Joey Ortiz (fourth round) and catcher Maverick Handley (sixth round), who have either made their debut or made the taxi squad for the Orioles, to players like right-handers Morgan McSweeney (17th round) and Jensen Elliott (19th round), who are knocking on the door, this class was organization-changing.
The 2019 draft is hands down the best draft in Orioles’ history. It’s also the first draft led under the Mike Elias regime.
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