Checking in with Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich

SAN DIEGO - Among the Orioles' front office contingent in San Diego is scouting director Gary Rajsich. It will be a much different draft for Rajsich and his staff next June when the O's have four of the top 73 picks after not selecting until the third round and 90th overall last June. "It is going to be a deep draft according to our projections and hopefully we can get some impact players," Rajsich said this morning. The O's farm system gained some balance in the last year or so, as hitting prospects like Chance Sisco, Dariel Alvarez, Christian Walker and Mike Yastrzemski joined pitchers like Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey to give the Orioles a good mix of top hurlers and batters. "My first couple of years, we were pitching-oriented," Rajsich said. "We wanted to build the pitching depth in the system. But now at the same time, we are able to get some quality position players that are now just starting to get some notice. "They are coming into their own. They are maturing, getting stronger. Christian Walker, for example, he found his power this year. We thought he had it and we're real optimistic about the other guys coming in behind him, too." When drafting pitchers, I asked Rajsich what he looks for beyond, of course, talent. "For pitchers, we look for athletic throwers. Plus we need strong pitchers showing durability and strength," he said. "Over 162 games and 33 starts, they have to be strong and durable and that is probably the first thing we look for." What do you mean athletic throwers? "He needs to be athletic in order to control his mechanics and repeat a good delivery and for stamina, durability," Rajsich said. The Orioles' third-round pick last June, their top pick, was high school lefty Brian Gonzalez. He just turned 19 in October. He made a nice debut last summer. He made two late-season starts for short-season Single-A Aberdeen, allowing five runs over nine innings. Before that, he pitched 24 2/3 innings in the Gulf Coast League, giving up just 11 hits and one unearned run. "Brian is a very mature and articulate young man, probably advanced beyond his years," Rajsich said. "He has good command and poise for a young man. Particularly proud of him the way he approached his season this year, not giving up a run in the Gulf Coast League."