O's Agree To Terms w/Davies

[Tony-OH]

I have no issue with Davies as a player. The bonus is higher than I'd personally recommend for a kid I'm writing up for my org, but that's just personal preference (and the fact my org has a "big body, big velo" focus). I also agree that it's good for Baltimore to bring in a strikethrower -- that hasn't historically been the strength of the system, if memory serves.

I think your last sentence sounds right on, and is something that could hopefully be addressed with the new CBA if we can get the signing deadline moved up 4-6 weeks.

Joe thinks the rounds will be cut to 25-30 and and the signing deadline will be moved up in the new CBA. Both would be a good moves in my opinion.

[Stotle]

Joe thinks the rounds will be cut to 25-30 and and the signing deadline will be moved in the new CBA. Both would be a good move in my opinion.

I've discussed both issues at length with evaluators in my org and agree they would be good changes. I'd honestly be fine with hard slots rounds 1-10, as well, adjusted annually with teams/players union/revolving agency reps setting those slots in the winter, and perhaps an overall cap on spending from rounds 11-25.

[Frobby]

I talked to Joe last night about Davies and especially the comment that he threw 84-86 MPH. He laughed and said "I'm not good enough to give that kind of money to a kid throwing 84-86." Jordan said he and his scouts have seen him up to 92-93 and he's already a pitchability guy with three pitches. He's not going to be a guy with a huge fastball most likely, but they obviously feel he's got enough velocity to be a major league starter and certainly has the command and offspeed pitches. Time will tell of course, but I thought it was interesting that the Orioles have him at a much higher velocity than some other readings we've read about.

How many times will a team see a guy before paying him $575 k out of high school? And was Davies pitching somewhere this summer? Maybe that explains the velocity discrepancy?