TEAM: Baltimore Orioles
PICK: 11 (Slot: $4,375,100)
POOL: $8,754,400
SCOUTING DIRECTOR: Gary Rajsich

PREVIOUS TOP PICKS
2017: D.L. Hall, LHP, Valdosta HS, GA (21st overall)
2016: Cody Sedlock, RHP, Illinois (27th overall)
2015: D.J. Stewart, OF, Florida State (25th overall)
2014: Brian Gonzalez, LHP, Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL (90th overall, 3rd round)
2013: Hunter Harvey, RHP, Bandys HS, NC (22nd overall)

HISTORY: Baltimore is another organization undeterred by the risk of high school prospects. They took four in the top 10 rounds last year, including LHP D.L. Hall (Valdosta HS, GA) and SS Adam Hall (AB Lucas SS, ON) in the first and second rounds respectively. After taking three four-year college prospects and a junior college guy in 2016, they dipped into the high school well for the fourth through sixth rounds and seven of their top 11 picks in 2015 were high schoolers. In 2014, they didn’t pick until the third round and took LHP Brian Gonzalez (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL).

FORECAST: If they want to go the prep route again in 2018, the Orioles are picking in the right area for it. Most of the top college guys will likely be off the board. LHP Matthew Liberatore (Mountain Ridge HS, AZ), OF Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West HS, WI) and RHP Carter Stewart (Eau Gallie HS, FL) would be no-brainers, but barring something unforeseen, they’re likely gone. The Orioles also have a middle-of-the-road bonus pool so taking a gamble on the likes of RHPs Mason Denaburg (Merritt Island HS, FL) or Kumar Rocker (North Oconee HS, GA) is probably not a consideration. Who does that leave, you ask? Plenty. RHP Cole Winn (Orange Lutheran HS, CA), SS Brice Turang (Santiago HS, CA) and OF Connor Scott (Plant HS, FL) represent the best available on the PBR Draft Board. LHP Ryan Weathers (Loretto HS, TN) should also be on the radar.

Cole Winn, RHP, Orange Lutheran HS, CA
PBR Draft Board: 15
FB: 55/60            CB: 45/55            SL: 40/55
Winn has a strong frame with broad shoulders and a strong lower half at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. His delivery is easy and athletic with a clean arm action allowing him to consistently pound the strike zone. In this outing, he started out 92-94, settling in at 90-93. His last fastball of the day was 93. His best secondary pitch was a 12/6 curveball in the mid-70s, which is new to his arsenal. It got loopy at times, but has sharpness and depth, projecting as a future above-average pitch. (Nathan Rode)

Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS, CA
PBR Draft Board: 16
HIT: 30/50            POWER: 30/40            SPEED: 60/70            DEFENSE: 55/60            ARM: 50/60
Turang has wiry strength with room to fill out his 6-foot, 160-pound frame. The son of a big leaguer, he has always shown excellent instincts in the game. He routinely puts the bat on the ball and can drive it to all fields. He is a plus runner and uses his speed and instincts to be a menace on the base paths. That speed also plays defensively, giving him above average range at shortstop. He is a very good athlete, seemingly able to make any play and throw on the move. (Nathan Rode)

Find Turang's full report in the Draft HQ.

Connor Scott, OF, Plant HS, FL
PBR Draft Board: 17
HIT: 40/50            POWER: 50/60            SPEED: 60/60            DEFENSE: 55/55            ARM: 55/55
One of the few high school players in the state with a true plus tool and multiple above average tools. It is a fairly easy comp him to Kyle Tucker, being from the same school, though Scott has less power and is a better runner. The swing has shown some swing-and-miss tendencies in the past, but he has appeared to level the path and cut down on the swing and miss. He works to all fields, but shows power to the middle of the field.

Find Scott's full report in the Draft HQ.

Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto HS, TN
PBR Draft Board: 20
FB: 55/60            CB: 60/70            CH: 20/50
Weathers showed two plus pitches in his second start back after winning a state title in basketball. The frame is close to mature with some physical projection remaining, and is built much like his major league father, David Weathers. He pitches with some effort and has a super quick arm with extension. He maintained his fastball velo for the first four innings, sitting 90-94. His tight curveball was a weapon all day, flashing plus-plus. He pounds the zone and projects to command his arsenal. (Tim Kay)

Find Weathers' full report in the Draft HQ.

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