O's scouting director Gary Rajsich on the 2016 draft

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - It wasn't long after Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich wrapped up a 2016 draft that is playing to some good reviews among national analysts that he began work on the next one.

As it stands right now, the Orioles have the 23rd pick in round one of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft.

But here at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Rajsich took some time in a video interview to look back at his 2016 draft of 41 players, which included 27 pitchers and 14 position players.

The Orioles signed 34 of those picks, coming to terms with their top 17 selections and with 24 of their 25 selections in the first 24 rounds. The Orioles spent $6,706,900 on those draft picks.

"We thought it was a deep draft going in and it turned out to be," Rajsich said. "We were happy with where we were picking and the players we selected. Hopefully, we will look back on this one as one of our best ones."

The Orioles' top three picks in the draft were all pitchers, all from the Midwest and all signed by Dan Durst, the same area scout. Right-hander Cody Sedlock, taken 27th overall, is from the University of Illinois. Lefty Keegan Akin was drafted 54th overall from Western Michigan University. Right-hander Matthias Dietz was taken from John A. Logan Junior College in Illinois.

Yes, it is rare to have the top three players be from the Midwest region and also be signed by the same area scout.

"It is very unusual," Rajsich said. "It's a scout trifecta really. Dan is very excited. It just happened to work out that way. It wasn't something that we designed going into the draft. That is the way the chips fell and we are very happy with all three of them.

"It is not a region that is heavily scouted, but there are good players. I've always said, 'Good players are good, no matter where they come from.' We try to cover all our bases."

Rajsich on Sedlock, who went 0-1 with an ERA of 3.00 at short-season Single-A Aberdeen: "He did well. But now he has to prepare for his first full season. He'll get a larger innings load on him as a starter. We'll see how he progresses through the levels. Hopefully, he gets off to a good healthy start and maybe we can move him rapidly if he earns it."

Rajsich on Akin, who went 0-1 with a 1.04 ERA for Aberdeen: "He's a left-hander that throws strikes. He has good command and he's fearless. You never know with left-handers. He's a guy that could go into Fenway Park or the Bronx in New York and hold those big-hitting teams at bay. We're excited about him. I think a little moreso in that I took a personal liking to that one."

How come? "I saw him three times and he pitched very well for me each time," Rajsich said with a laugh.

Rajsich on Dietz, who went 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA for Aberdeen: "Matthias is a big, strong power pitcher. When he gets comfortable with his delivery and gets a little better command of his stuff, he could be a dominant-type starter for us. The ceiling is very high on him."