Should the Orioles draft one of the Vanderbilt pitchers

[Tony-OH]

19 hours ago, OsFanSinceThe80s said:

Tommy Davis was an ok DH for a few seasons in the 1970's. 

I'm not sure why, but this was always one of my favorite baseball cards growing up.

[Sydnor]

22 minutes ago, Philip said:

After reading a bit, I’m wondering why we should take House, who is a high risk 45 FV. Or did I read that wrong. Either first base or OF when we already have plenty of those? Why not take Lawler, who sounds like just exactly what we need?

Lawlar is an older high school player, which is a demographic that carries some risk, and he also has questions regarding his hit tool.

House is a younger high school player with big exit velocities with a longer track record of performance. He also has questions concerning his hit tool, but quelled some of them with his performance this spring. House has a cannon for an arm and should be able to play third if he can’t stick at short, but there are some questions about his ability to stick on the dirt.

If they go high school hitter, my personal preference is Watson, but I honestly have no clue what the organization will do and I don’t think anyone else does either a month before the draft. At this point everything is conjecture, but it’s fun to speculate.

[glenn__davis]

10 minutes ago, Sydnor said:

 but it’s fun to speculate.

Is it though?  Lol.  As usual, lots of people making guesses and some getting angry even though no one really seems to have an idea on what the Orioles will do.

Wake me up on July 11.

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

2 hours ago, Philip said:

After reading a bit, I’m wondering why we should take House, who is a high risk 45 FV. Or did I read that wrong. Either first base or OF when we already have plenty of those? Why not take Lawler, who sounds like just exactly what we need?

Not excited by House either for exact reasons you articulated.. He would be an underslot which we know Elias loves so prepare yourself for disappointment. 

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

2 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

One would move to first base I'm sure so it's not like they would have one as a backup. I wouldn't be thrilled with drafting another catcher so high unless their are lingering concerns about Rutschman's shoulder and it's affect on his throwing.

I will say, Rutschman looks very smooth at 1B for a guy with limited experience there.

Davis does not project as a major league catcher. He would likely play a corner OF spot.

[Tony-OH]

2 minutes ago, NelsonCruuuuuz said:

Davis does not project as a major league catcher. He would likely play a corner OF spot.

Well if that's the case, they'll need to like the bat a lot. If they like the bat that much, then I could definitely see him going 1-5.

[MurphDogg]

2 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

One would move to first base I'm sure so it's not like they would have one as a backup. I wouldn't be thrilled with drafting another catcher so high unless their are lingering concerns about Rutschman's shoulder and it's affect on his throwing.

I will say, Rutschman looks very smooth at 1B for a guy with limited experience there.

Seems to me that it would be a hell of a luxury not to have to have a backup catcher in the lineup 1.5 times per week. Pencil your two good catchers in for 81 each behind the dish and 60-81 each at first and go from there.

[Tony-OH]

2 minutes ago, MurphDogg said:

Seems to me that it would be a hell of a luxury not to have to have a backup catcher in the lineup 1.5 times per week. Pencil your two good catchers in for 81 each behind the dish and 60-81 each at first and go from there.

It would be interesting in that we've never really seen this before. Two impact catchers sharing the position defensively while also getting regular PAs at 1B/DH. 

[Three Run Homer]

It would make sense for the O's to take Henry Davis if they thought his bat was good enough to take there as a 1B.  Problem is, if his bat was really that good, then he'd be a shoo-in for one of the first four slots, considering the potential for him to contribute at C.  I can't see a scenario where he makes sense for the Orioles--my guess is that based on his bat alone, he would deserve to go mid-first round.  I don't think he's considered as good a bat as, say, Spencer Torkelson.  

Based on what I've read I would be happy with Leiter, Rocker, Jobe, Lawler, Mayer, or Watson.  I wouldn't be as thrilled by House because he seems too similar to what we already have in Gunnar Henderson--outstanding power, probably will wind up at 3B.  Also, House is widely regarded as a top 10 talent, so there is limited potential to save money by picking him.   

I would not be happy at all if the O's picked a mid-first round guy just to save money for later in the draft.  The O's need premium talent, and they need it at P and SS--exactly the two positions that are loaded at the top of the draft this year.  

[Yossarian]

People seem to be quick and dismissive in moving these guys to other positions on the field just to get their bat in the lineup.  Maybe this works? I don't know.  What I do know is that the Rays are one of the best teams in the league and have built a team around solid pitching and defense with rather pedestrian offensive numbers. Putting guys like Mountcastle in left field or Franco at third or Severino behind the plate or DJ Stewart in the field anywhere is not something the Rays do.  They have one of, if not the, best defense in the league playing behind one of the best staffs.  I would like to see a solid defensive team in Baltimore.  I hope the O's are drafting as much for defense and pitching as they are offense.

[Redskins Rick]

16 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

It would be interesting in that we've never really seen this before. Two impact catchers sharing the position defensively while also getting regular PAs at 1B/DH. 

At this point, my bar is set very low. I want 1 impact catcher.

and then build from there. lol

[Redskins Rick]

1 minute ago, Yossarian said:

People seem to be quick and dismissive in moving these guys to other positions on the field just to get their bat in the lineup.  Maybe this works? I don't know.  What I do know is that the Rays are one of the best teams in the league and have built a team around solid pitching and defense with rather pedestrian offensive numbers. Putting guys like Mountcastle in left field or Franco at third or Severino behind the plate or DJ Stewart in the field anywhere is not something the Rays do.  They have one of, if not the, best defense in the league playing behind one of the best staffs.  I would like to see a solid defensive team in Baltimore.  I hope the O's are drafting as much for defense and pitching as they are offense.

Dont think the team drafted Franco or Severino.

Mountcastle was drafted for his bat, not sure, they ever really thought he would stick at SS.

I am sure the Rays have drafted people and not kept them at that location.

You remember Tim Beckham?

[Yossarian]

7 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

Dont think the team drafted Franco or Severino.

Mountcastle was drafted for his bat, not sure, they ever really thought he would stick at SS.

I am sure the Rays have drafted people and not kept them at that location.

You remember Tim Beckham?

I didn't mean to imply the O's drafted those guys, but they are on the field in O's uniforms and are not very good at defense.  The point I was trying to make is I hope the O's have defense in mind when they draft guys.  And if they plan on moving guys from their "natural" positions - or positions they have been playing most of their lives - they are able to make those moves successfully and have the athleticism and skill to defend at a high level.

[glenn__davis]

1 hour ago, NelsonCruuuuuz said:

Not excited by House either for exact reasons you articulated.. He would be an underslot which we know Elias loves so prepare yourself for disappointment. 

We know Elias loves underslots?  Because he did so on 1 of 2 drafts thus far?

[Redskins Rick]

29 minutes ago, Yossarian said:

I didn't mean to imply the O's drafted those guys, but they are on the field in O's uniforms and are not very good at defense.  The point I was trying to make is I hope the O's have defense in mind when they draft guys.  And if they plan on moving guys from their "natural" positions - or positions they have been playing most of their lives - they are able to make those moves successfully and have the athleticism and skill to defend at a high level.

They do seam to be one dimensional when drafting position players.

Manny was the last true guy they drafted that could bat and field.

Not sure if that is truly all on them, or just a result of what is available.