Day three of the 2023 MLB Draft has come and gone, and it was quite the draft for the Baltimore Orioles organization.
Let’s take a look at the final nine selections that the Orioles make in the final day of the 2023 MLB Draft.
11th Round, 331st Overall Pick: Nestor German – RHP – Seattle
Nestor German just finished his junior year at Seattle, and there is room for potential with this young arm. German had a collegiate career ERA of 6.37 in 195 innings pitched, and batters hit .287 against him, but with a little development, this kid could have an electric arm.
During the 2023 season, German pitched in 17 games and went 5-6 with a 5.97 ERA in 78.1 innings pitched. He gave up 82 hits, 52 earned runs, walked 30 batters and struck out 74. Welcome to Birdland, Nestor German!
12th Round, 361st Overall: Blake Money – RHP – LSU
Blake Money just finished his junior season at LSU, and what a better way to go out than by being a part of the reigning National Champions? Money had a decent collegiate career, as he pitched 123.2 innings and carried a 6.26 ERA. He did have great control, though, as he only walked 42 batters in his three years at LSU.
Money’s 2023 season consisted of him pitching in 20 games. He had a 1-0 record with a 5.97 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched and gave up 35 hits, 23 earned runs, walked 12 batters and struck out 30. Money originally was a starter in his sophomore season but was given more of a bullpen role this past season. Welcome to Birdland, Blake Money!
13th Round, 391st Overall: Riley Cooper – LHP – LSU
Orioles GM Mike Elias drafted back-to-back pitchers from the College-World-Series-winning LSU Tigers. Finishing up his junior year, Riley Cooper looks like an absolute steal in the 13th round, as he carried a 4.44 ERA in 133.2 innings and struck out 118 batters in his collegiate career.
Cooper’s 2023 consisted of 32 games pitched and three starts, where he went 5-3 with a 4.38 ERA in 61.2 innings pitched. He gave up 63 hits, 30 earned runs, 20 walks and collected 63 strikeouts. Welcome to Birdland, Riley Cooper!
14th Round, 421st: Michael Forret – RHP – State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota
Elias has a huge thing this season with pitchers, it seems. Forret just finished his freshman year of junior college, and he showed off on the mound with no remorse.
Forret pitched in 15 games, 13 starts, and he went 10-3 with a 3.34 ERA in 86.1 innings pitched. He gave up 77 hits, 32 earned runs, 18 walks and struck out 106. He only gave up four home runs and had a K/9 of 11.05. Forret’s control is phenomenal, and he might be another Elias steal of this draft. Welcome to Birdland, Michael Forret!
15th Round, 451st Overall: Qrey Lott – OF – Lowndes HS (GA)
Elias drafted a high schooler this year? You bet! Qrey Lott was a college commit to Northwest Florida State College after finishing his senior year at Lowndes High.
Lott was ranked 500th overall, according to the Perfect Game National rankings, and was 52nd overall in the state of Georgia. We could not find any stats for his high school career, but it is a known fact that Lott hit two triples in a single game while in high school. Welcome to Birdland, Qrey Lott!
16th Round, 481st Overall: Cole Urman – C – Cal State Fullerton
Yes, everyone is aware that the Orioles have Adley Rutschman, and catcher is currently not a concern for the Orioles. However, drafting a catcher to have is usually a good idea. Urman just finished his junior season at Cal State Fullerton, and while he doesn’t look like an offensive monster, his defense looks incredible.
Urman’s 2023 season is what I would consider his best colligate season at CSU Fullerton. In 49 games, Urman slashed .270/.303/.384 with a .687 OPS in 185 at-bats and collected 50 hits, nine doubles, four home runs and 30 RBIs. He also had a 99.2 fielding percentage and had 34 assists with four double plays. Welcome to Birdland, Cole Urman!
17th Round, 511th Overall: Zane Barnhart – RHP – Hillsdale College
Back to the train of drafting pitchers, Zane Barnhart is one that I completely see as an underrated pick of the draft. Barnhart’s collegiate career ERA was 3.28 in 74 innings. He also grabbed 13 saves and struck out 109.
Barnhart’s 2023 season was one that was unforgettable, as he pitched in 20 games and went 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched. He gave up 23 hits, 10 earned runs, walked 10 batters and struck out 61. Barnhart is someone who can be great out of the pen as a middle reliever and really shut it down. Welcome to Birdland, Zane Barnhart!
18th Round, 541st overall: Tanner Witt – RHP – Texas
He was a top 100 draft prospect, and he fell into our lap in the 18th round? How is that possible? Unfortunately, injuries. Witt had two major surgeries in college, and it dropped his stock dramatically.
Witt’s 2023 was short, so it’s easier to talk about his career as a whole. He pitched in 36 total games and went 9-1 with a 4.00 ERA in 78.2 innings pitched. He gave up 60 hits, 35 earned runs, 36 walks and 95 strikeouts and held batters to a .207 batting average and only gave up nine home runs. Welcome to Birdland, Tanner Witt (If he signs…)!
19th Round, 571st Overall: Kollin Ritchie – SS – Atoka High School (OK)
Kollin Ritchie was unranked nationally and in the state of Oklahoma, according to Perfect Game, and there is not really much information about him.
He is currently committed to playing college baseball with Oklahoma State, so there is a chance that he doesn’t sign to bet on himself. If he does sign, we say: Welcome to Birdland, Kollin Ritchie!
20th Round, 601st Overall: Jalen Vasquez – SS – North Greenville University
Jalen Vasquez just finished his junior season of college and his first season at North Greenville after transferring out of South Carolina. He had a 2023 season that consisted of a .331 average, hitting 12 home runs with 40 RBIs.
Vasquez, being a 20th-round pick, might decide not to sign and bet on himself for his senior year. If he does sign, we want to say: Welcome to Birdland, Jalen Vasquez!
What do you think of the Orioles’ selections in the MLB Draft? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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