Who is the Orioles #7 prospect?

[Tony-OH]

Well Reyes may have been a surprise, so who is next?

[Frobby]

I'm six for six, but I really don't have a good feel for no. 7. I'm going to look at it this way: last year Wright was no. 8 and Berry was no. 12. Wright didn't do anything to improve his standing, and Berry didn't do enough to jump five spots. I don't think it can be Bridwell, because his overall performance wasn't that good despite some outstanding outings. That leaves Walker and Gonzalez, and I think they'll be the next two spots, it's a matter of who goes first. For me, Walker has the look of a part-time player, while Gonzalez still has a shot to be in a starting rotation. So, I am going to go with Gonzalez, even though he is much further away from the majors in his development. I won't be surprised if Tony picks someone who is further along in the system.

[Aristotelian]

So far the picks have all been about upside rather than MLB readiness. Gonzalez has more upside than anybody on the list, and he did fine in his first year. I voted with Frobby.

[luismatos4prez]

I'm a big Mike Wright fan. At this point, it's just a matter of can he turn into a middle of the rotation starting pitcher or will we have to settle for him being a Tommy Hunter style reliever.

Tony might go with Brian Gonzalez here, who would also be a good pick, but I think Mike Wright is the better prospect. I don't think much of Berry or Walker at all and Bridwell is destined for the bullpen.

[tntoriole]

I will continue to state that Christian Walker is going to surprise everybody on this thread. He will outperform all of those selected in front of him thus far, save except for Dylan Bundy.

[weams]

I will continue to state that Christian Walker is going to surprise everybody on this thread. He will outperform all of those selected in front of him thus far, save except for Dylan Bundy.

Even Jomar? He is gonna be HUGE! He is Huge.

[Can_of_corn]

Even Jomar? He is gonna be HUGE! He is Huge.

I'll not be pleased if Walker outperforms Hunter Harvey.

[weams]

I'll not be pleased if Walker outperforms Hunter Harvey.

Well, there is that elbow...

[tntoriole]

I'll not be pleased if Walker outperforms Hunter Harvey.

You will if Walker performs as well as I think he is going to. Just in 2012, he earned first-team All-SEC honors ... Named to College World Series All-Tournament Team ... Tied Dustin Ackley of North Carolina for a College World Series record 28 career hits ... Played in 67 games with 66 starts, team's leading hitter with .321 average (77-for-240) with 48 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples and 11 homers, also a phenomenal .450 on-base percentage to go along with a .525 slugging percentage .. He has rocketed through the system and is just now 23. I say he is going to be a stud.

[Frobby]

You will if Walker performs as well as I think he is going to. Just in 2012, he earned first-team All-SEC honors ... Named to College World Series All-Tournament Team ... Tied Dustin Ackley of North Carolina for a College World Series record 28 career hits ... Played in 67 games with 66 starts, team's leading hitter with .321 average (77-for-240) with 48 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples and 11 homers, also a phenomenal .450 on-base percentage to go along with a .525 slugging percentage .. He has rocketed through the system and is just now 23. I say he is going to be a stud.

College stats are nice, but how's that Dustin Ackley working out so far?

[weams]

College stats are nice, but how's that Dustin Ackley working out so far?

I thought Dustin Ackley was going to be fabulous when I saw him in the Arizona Fall League. Fabulous.

[Tony-OH]

I'm six for six, but I really don't have a good feel for no. 7. I'm going to look at it this way: last year Wright was no. 8 and Berry was no. 12. Wright didn't do anything to improve his standing, and Berry didn't do enough to jump five spots. I don't think it can be Bridwell, because his overall performance wasn't that good despite some outstanding outings. That leaves Walker and Gonzalez, and I think they'll be the next two spots, it's a matter of who goes first. For me, Walker has the look of a part-time player, while Gonzalez still has a shot to be in a starting rotation. So, I am going to go with Gonzalez, even though he is much further away from the majors in his development. I won't be surprised if Tony picks someone who is further along in the system.

Your analysis was right on, but just missed the pick. The issue with Gonzalez is overall ceiling due to lack of velocity. Add that into being so far away and it's going drop him a bit until he can prove it as he moves up the chain.

[Frobby]

Your analysis was right on, but just missed the pick. The issue with Gonzalez is overall ceiling due to lack of velocity. Add that into being so far away and it's going drop him a bit until he can prove it as he moves up the chain.

I can't argue with that logic. Walker is certainly a solid pick at no. 7. All I really know about Gonzalez was what the scouting reports were at the time he was drafted, and how he performed in the GCL and his brief NY-Penn League stint. I'm anxiously awaiting your scouting report on Gonzalez to see what, if anything, it says that is different from what we heard on draft day. He certainly had about as good an inaugural pro season as we could have hoped for in a 3rd round pick coming out of high school.

[Can_of_corn]

You will if Walker performs as well as I think he is going to. Just in 2012, he earned first-team All-SEC honors ... Named to College World Series All-Tournament Team ... Tied Dustin Ackley of North Carolina for a College World Series record 28 career hits ... Played in 67 games with 66 starts, team's leading hitter with .321 average (77-for-240) with 48 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples and 11 homers, also a phenomenal .450 on-base percentage to go along with a .525 slugging percentage .. He has rocketed through the system and is just now 23. I say he is going to be a stud.

If I can't get slugging out of my first baseman then I want a plus glove.