Hearing from Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich and first-round pick DJ Stewart

On an Orioles conference call for reporters early this morning, O's scouting director Gary Rajsich spoke directly to his first-round draft pick, Florida State outfielder DJ Stewart, before reporters asked questions.

"You were the one we wanted all the way and I'm glad you got there (to the 25th pick). I think you are going to be a great fit here," Rajsich said to Stewart.

A 21-year-old left-handed batter, Stewart hit .318 this year for the Seminoles with 10 doubles, two triples, 15 homers, 59 RBIs and a .500 OBP as he walked 69 times and struck out 49. He was the ACC Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2014 with a slash line then of .351/.472/.557. He was ranked No. 30 by Baseball America and No. 36 by MLBPipeline.com.

Rajsich also said of Stewart: "We think he is an accomplished hitter and we think his power will play well in our ballpark. He is not only a power hitter but has good on-base skills. He can grind at-bats and is a good outfielder. I'm sure our fans are going to like watching him play."

Rajsich said as the picks were unfolding he was concerned that Stewart would not be there at No. 25. He said the Orioles had targeted him before the draft.

"I got nervous the way some names were coming off the board," he said.

Some scouts and scouting reports expressed concerns about Stewart's very deep batting crouch, but Rajsich said he was not among them.

"We'll send him out just the way he is. He's fine with us. He'll figure that out as he goes. But no, I don't think we took him where we took him and want to make changes right away," he said.

Rajsich talked about where Stewart could hit in the order.

"We love DJ's on-base skills as well as his slugging. He can hit anywhere in the order, but I see him as a middle-of-the-order bat. A run producer, a run scorer. He gives you what he's got every day and is the kind of kid you want to build your ballclub around."

Rajsich was asked about Stewart's stocky body and where he might play on defense.

"He is strong, and that is what we like about him, and he's durable," he said. "He should hold up to the rigors of a major league season. I would classify DJ as a corner outfielder, not just a left fielder. There are some in this room that think he can play right field also.

"He's a very good athlete and moves around great in the outfield. We like his defense, and he can also steal bases. He's a heads-up, smart baseball player with great makeup, and is a leader. All those attributes we look for."

Stewart said he has hit out of a big crouch since his freshman year of high school. He thinks it puts him at an eye level to better command the strike zone. Stewart talked about getting picked by the Orioles and how he found out tonight he was selected.

"I was with my family. We had a get-together back home where I am from in Yulee, Fla," Stewart said. "When my name came across the scree,n it was a dream come true. You think about your name being called your whole life and to see it actually happen is a dream come true."

His father, Reggie Stewart, was a 13th-round selection of the San Diego Padres in 1991 as a switch-hitting outfielder and played three minor league seasons in the San Diego organization.

Rajsich said Stewart will go to Sarasota, Fla., for his initial orientation and that he will likely be assigned to short-season, Single-A Aberdeen. He was asked about signing Stewart.

"I hope it's soon," Rajsich said. "I have no indication that he wasn't signable for where we selected him. I'm assuming everything will go well that way."

With the 36th pick of the first round the Orioles drafted shortstop Ryan Mountcastle out of Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Fla. The 18-year-old Mountcastle was rated No. 110 by MLBPipeline.com and No. 122 by Baseball America. The scouting report says he has excellent bat speed with solid power, and may be a corner outfielder or third baseman in pro ball, although Rajsich said he will start his pro career playing shortstop.

"We think he could be a middle of the order bat as well," Rajsich said of Mountcastle. "It depends what happens to his body. If he gets a lot bigger, he may move to third. He is a very good fielder that can handle either position."

Congrats Ryan!! @RyanMountcastle pic.twitter.com/mN6wAO7vZa

-- toast (@travishosterman) June 9, 2015

With their second-round pick, No. 68 overall, the O's selected right-handed pitcher Jonathan Hughes from Flowery Branch (Ga.) High School. He was a 2015 Perfect Game third-team All-American and a Southeast All-Region first-team pick. He was also named a 2014 Perfect Game Underclass first team.

"We love his arm," Rajsich of the 18-year old who has touched 94 to 96 mph. "Jonathan has advanced mechanics with a plus arm and is athletic. I've said it many times, we look for athletic throwers with plus arms and he fits that. He's got a good four-pitch mix, throws strikes and has good command."

Rajsich said the Orioles have spoken to the advisors for both Mountcastle and Hughes, and they are confident they will sign both.

The draft resumes later today at 1 p.m., with Round 3 and will continue this afternoon through Round 10. The O's pick in Round 3 is No. 102 overall.