2022 19th Round Pick (#557): Alden Mathes Jr. - OF - (JR) U Richmond (VA)

[86this]

2022 19th Round Pick (#557): Alden Mathes Jr. - OF - (JR) U Richmond (VA)
 

[86this]

Appears to be a two-way player.  Has some pitching experience to go along with this hitting.

[ScGO's]

He raked in the Coastal Plains league last season.  Seems to be a high avg guy with some pop.  High K rate on the mound too.  Played in the Atlantic 10, so okay D1 competition, not great

[emmett16]

Nice to see a fellow Spider in the system.  I’ll be pulling for this guy.   Program hasn’t been great since leaving the CAA but will always pull for my guys.  

[yark14]

19 hours ago, ScGO's said:

He raked in the Coastal Plains league last season.  Seems to be a high avg guy with some pop.  High K rate on the mound too.  Played in the Atlantic 10, so okay D1 competition, not great

I'm very intrigued with this kid.  Not sure how he grades analytics-wise, but he sure did put up some impressive stats on both sides.

[terpfan101]

he is returning to school: https://www.thecollegianur.com/article/2022/07/alden-mathes-passes-on-the-orioles-to-continue-playing-for-the-spiders

Edited July 31, 2022 by terpfan101

[baltfan]

19 hours ago, terpfan101 said:

he is returning to school: https://www.thecollegianur.com/article/2022/07/alden-mathes-passes-on-the-orioles-to-continue-playing-for-the-spiders

Can’t believe we couldn’t convince this kid. 

[CharmCityHokie]

1 hour ago, baltfan said:

Can’t believe we couldn’t convince this kid. 

He does have two years of NCAA eligibility left, so if we weren't offering much and he thinks he can go higher than 19th round next year it could be worth his while. 

[Tony-OH]

Sounds like a smart young man his priorities straight. When you're a legitimate 19th round pick, why not go back and finish your degree? If he's good enough, he'll get another chance at pro ball, but there are not a lot of 19th rounders playing i the major leagues. Makes me wonder though if his scout talked to him before hand to see what it would take to sign hi or at this point in the draft they're just taking fliers on guys?

[seak05]

21 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Sounds like a smart young man his priorities straight. When you're a legitimate 19th round pick, why not go back and finish your degree? If he's good enough, he'll get another chance at pro ball, but there are not a lot of 19th rounders playing i the major leagues. Makes me wonder though if his scout talked to him before hand to see what it would take to sign hi or at this point in the draft they're just taking fliers on guys?

In the interview were he decided to return the Miami closer said the Orioles didn't call him. He was taking calls towards the end of the second round. I suspect by round 19, you're mostly just taking fliers on guys your scouts might be going to bat for, or guys who slid due to bonus demands. In all cases, players can also always change their minds: to sign, or not to sign.

[OriolesMagic83]

Not too upset about this pick not signing.  The O's aren't exactly short of outfield prospects