2015 1st A (36) - Ryan Mountcastle - SS - Hagerty HS (FL)

http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=296223

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6'4" 190 lbs DOB: 02/18/97

From RZNJ's post in the main draft thread:

Mountcastle stands out most for his hitting ability. He has tremendous bat speed leads to elite exit velocity when he squares balls up, giving him above-average power. He has a loose swing and does a good job of making adjustments to make consistent contact. Defensively, Mountcastle isn't as advanced.

Big power potential with this kid...

With the compensation first rounder, the Orioles dipped into the high school ranks for a shortstop. Mountcastle is 6'4, 190 pounds with a wiry strong build. He may have to move to third eventually. He draws great reviews for his bat speed and power potential.

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/67565098/v133639283/draft-report-ryan-mountcastle-hs-3bss

Get him signed.

Running Speed: 50/60

Arm Strength: 55/60

Hitting for Average: 45/55

Hitting for Power: 40/60

Fielding: 55/65

Mountcastle was not rated as high as you might expect for a player being drafted at #36. He was 122nd on the Baseball America 500, 108th on the Fangraphs list, and not ranked at all on the top 125 list published by Baseball Prospectus. That being the case, one has to wonder whether this is a pick that's meant to save money to use it elsewhere. Of course, it's also possible that the Orioles saw him more than others and liked him better than other teams.

After the pick was made, the TV crew on MLB Network noted that Mountcastle is likely destined for either third base or the outfield, but they praised "lightning-quick bat speed."

The slot value for this pick is $1,711,900. Mountcastle is committed to Central Florida.

http://www.camdenchat.com/2015/6/8/8749731/mlb-draft-results-2015-orioles-pick-ryan-mountcastle

I am a fan of this assessment

Ryan Mountcastle is not a future shortstop. I don't know where he will play. I don't really care where he will play. Probably 3B or a corner OF spot but what I do care about is the bat. Mountcastle has impressive bat speed. He doesn't have the cleanest swing but he hits line drives from line to line and has the raw power to hit plenty of home runs. He hit well in the games I've seen him and I have a lot of faith that he will be one of the better hitters in the draft. He has a good arm, good enough for 3B and he has enough foot speed to be useful as a corner OF. If he goes to school, he is committed to UCF but I don't think he'll get there.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/5/10/8576317/2015-mlb-draft-shortstops

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Big Kid

After reading everything, this kid has a little bit of upside. If the O's can save a little money here and use it elsewhere then I'm fine with this. I like the fact that the O's are going after bats. Lord knows they need some hitters in their system. I like to see the Orioles put him in right field and try him there.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With the No. 36 pick in the 2015 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBDraft?src=hash">#MLBDraft</a>, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Orioles?src=hash">#Orioles</a> select Ryan Mountcastle, SS from Hagerty HS (FL). <a href="http://t.co/BNcHdrzhip">pic.twitter.com/BNcHdrzhip</a></p>— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) <a href="

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After reading everything, this kid has a little bit of upside. If the O's can save a little money here and use it elsewhere then I'm fine with this. I like the fact that the O's are going after bats. Lord knows they need some hitters in their system.

Agree with this. I think money savings has to be something of a factor here for a somewhat under the radar prospect to go this early.

Given what I'm reading about him as a hitter, I'm surprised that he's not ranked higher. He may not have the glove for SS, but that leaves plenty of room on the defensive spectrum. It's not like he's already a LF or 1B and struggling on defense.

Given what I'm reading about him as a hitter, I'm surprised that he's not ranked higher.

That's a little odd to me too. Nothing I have read questions his bat; everything essentially says that he has an exceptionally quick bat that could produce a lot of power. He may not have a position yet, but everybody seems to think he will hit. I will gladly take that.

Baseball draft rankings are hilarious. Remember Sisco was well underrated. Now he's 19 and catching at Frederick. I like the assessments on this guy. Our organization has been really good with the guys coming up being able to play defense.

Stotle mentioned McCarthy from UVA as a possibility in the next few rds. After watching the Terps series, I'd love that pick too.

Don't think the O's would have drafted him this high in the draft if they didn't have an assurance that he would "sign". Appears to have a lot of "upside". Just gotta trust that the O's scouting department has done their due diligence in evaluating this guy.