Orioles draft Ryan Ripken (updated)

BOSTON - The Ripken name may be staying in the Orioles family. The Orioles just drafted Ryan Ripken - Cal Sr's grandson, Cal's son and Billy's nephew - in the 20th round of the First-Year Player Draft. Ripken, a left-handed-hitting first baseman at Gilman who also played basketball, has committed to the University of South Carolina. He received plenty of scholarship offers after batting .353 as a junior. This year, Ripken hit .377 with 25 RBIs at Gilman. Ripken, listed at 6 foot 6, 205 pounds, played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game in 2011 at Wrigley Field. He recently worked out for the Orioles at Camden Yards. I'll be updating this entry later. In the meantime, the Orioles took Canadian center fielder Julien Service in the 21st round and Kennesaw State (Ga.) center fielder Will Howard in the 22nd round. In the 23rd round, the Orioles chose Fresno State pitcher Gene Escat. They took Washington State second baseman Tommy Richards in the 24th round. In the 25th round, the Orioles selected Auburn second baseman Alexander Simpson. In the 26th round, they chose Santa Clara center fielder Lucas Herbst. The Orioles selected Tampa shortstop Anthony Caronia in the 27th round. In the 28th round, they selected pitcher Dennis Torres of Massachusetts-Amherst.