O's sign five draft picks, introduce top picks at Camden Yards

The Orioles are well on their way to signing the large majority of their 38 picks selected in the recent First-Year Player Draft. The club today announced the signings of five players: * Third-round pick left-handed pitcher Brian Gonzalez from Archbishop McCarthy High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. * Fourth-round pick, right-handed pitcher Pat Connaughton from Notre Dame. * Fifth-round pick right-handed pitcher David Hess from Tenessee Tech. * Eighth-round pick second baseman Steve Wilkerson from Clemson. * Tenth-round pick outfielder Jay Gonzalez from the University of Mount Olive. I reported previously that the club had also agreed to terms with ninth-round pick, third baseman Austin Anderson from the University of Mississippi and 40th rounder, outfielder T.J. Olesczuk from Winthrop. Brian Gonzalez, Connaughton and Hess will report to the Gulf Coast League. Wilkerson and Jay Gonzalez are reporting to short-season, Single-A Aberdeen. O's scouting director Gary Rajsich announced the signings of those first three selections at a press conference at Camden Yards this afternoon. More signing announcements are expected over the next week as the Orioles reportedly are close to finished with contract agreements for many players. "I think we were around 30 (signed) last year and I expect to be around 30 to 32 this year of the 38 that we selected," Rajsich said. Brian Gonzalez, who turned down a college commitment with Miami to sign, went 10-0 with a 0.50 ERA this season and pitched two no-hitters. Connaughton, a 6-foot-5, 210-pounder is 21 years old. His fastball has touched 95 mph with good sink. This season he went 3-5 with an ERA of 3.92 at Notre Dame. Hess went 9-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 16 starts this year. Over 97 1/3 innings, he allowed 81 hits with 34 walks and 104 strikeouts. "We are always looking for athletic throwers, guys that throw hard, have good deliveries and upside. This year we came away with three really good ones. Really pleased how the draft turned out this year," Rajsich said. "Heading into the draft I was a little skeptical what we could come away with, but I think we hit the jackpot." Rajsich on Gonzalez: "He's got all the makings of a solid big league starter. He's got a great delivery and arm action he can repeat. He's got a four-pitch arsenal that he commands for strikes and he's pretty fearless." Rajsich on Connaughton: "You talk about athletic, this guy is as athletic as they come. After his senior year playing basketball when he devotes himself to baseball full-time, we think the upside is tremendous with him." Rajsich on Hess: "David Hess has a power arm. He's 6-foot-2 with a great delivery. The thing we like most about David is he pitches with his fastball and he's not afraid. He also has a curveball, slider and changup. He has tremendous upside as well." The players reacted to coming to terms with the Orioles. It's a big day for all three as their pro careers are about to begin. Gonzalez said: "This is honestly a dream come true. I knew the Orioles had interest in me, but I didn't really expect it. For me to be here is a blessing, can't wait to start playing." Connaughton said: "It's an amazing experience, you walk around Camden Yards, one of the nicest facilities in the big leagues. It starts to set in that you're here and given an opportunity to put yourself at the next level. Moving forward all three of us just want to see how quickly we can develop and show the Baltimore Orioles fans and organization why they chose us." Hess said: "Every kid dreams of this opportunity. I've worked for 15 years for it. I grew up playing Little League for the Orioles. So to be picked by them was a cool thing for me. I can't explain how excited I am to be a part of this organization." Connaughton averaged 13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for Notre Dame in basketball this past season. He'll play one more year of hoops there and is expected to leave the O's minors around Aug. 1 to return to school. But he'll back with the Orioles. "I fly to the Gulf Coast League tomorrow," Connaughton said. "I will take a little pause when I go back to school, play basketball and get my degree. I'll graduate in December and when basketball season is over I'll have no more obligation to Notre Dame. I'll have degree in hand and basketball obligation complete and be able to attack this thing full time." Pictured above: From left to right are Gonzalez, Hess and Connaughton.