Orioles select Grayson Rodriguez in first round of draft (updated)

The Orioles chose another high school pitcher tonight with their first pick in the First-Year Player Draft.

Just not a name that had been linked to them.

The Orioles used the 11th overall pick on right-hander Grayson Rodriguez of Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Rodriguez is listed at 6-foot-5 and 230 lbs. and has been lauded for improving his conditioning over the winter while working with a trainer. His fastball can touch 97-98 mph, according to Baseball America, and routinely sits in the mid-90s.

Baseball America listed Rodriguez as the No. 24. prospect in the draft. He committed to Texas A&M.

SB Nation added that "a previously-slurvy breaking ball has developed into two distinct pitches, a hard power slider and a slower but convincingly bendy curve.

"There's a change-up, too, and while it isn't as advanced as the breaking stuff it projects as a solid pitch. His mechanics are more consistent this year and his command is good for his age. Mound presence and maturity under pressure are also positives and it doesn't take much imagination to see him as a future number two starter."

The site provides video here.

Tonight marked the first time that the Orioles possessed the 11th overall pick. They had plenty of appealing options, with University of Florida right-hander Brady Singer, prep left-hander Matthew Liberatore, prep right-hander Cole Winn and South Florida lefty Shane McClanahan also on the board.

Seven of the first 10 picks were position players, as the Orioles had anticipated. They knew there would be no shortage of appealing pitchers at their disposal.

"Grayson Rodriguez is a future power pitcher with an advanced delivery and feel for all of his pitches," said Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich. "He has command of four above-average pitches, can shape two distinct breaking balls and attacks the strike zone."

The Orioles also hold the 37th pick, in competitive balance Round A, in tonight's portion of the draft. The second day includes the 87th and 115th overall picks going to the Orioles in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. They lost their second rounder after signing Alex Cobb as a free agent.

The slot value of the 11th pick is $4,375,100. The 37th pick is $1,923,500.

The Orioles chose a high school left-hander, DL Hall, with their first-round selection in 2017. He's 0-4 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in nine games (eight starts) at low Single-A Delmarva.

Beginning in 2000, the Orioles have taken a pitcher with 11 of their first round picks and six beginning with Dylan Bundy in 2011. They forfeited their first- and second-round selections in 2014 after signing Ubaldo Jiménez and Nelson Cruz as free agents. They chose high school left-hander Brian Gonzalez, recently promoted to Double-A Bowie, in the third round.

Rice's Wade Townsend didn't sign in 2004 and reentered the draft.

The Tigers used the first selection tonight to take Auburn right-hander Casey Mize. Here are the rest of the picks in the Top 10:

Giants: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech
Phillies: Alec Bohn, 3B, Wichita State
White Sox: Nick Madrigal, SS, Oregon State
Reds: Jonathan India, 3B, Reds
Mets: Jarred Eklenic, OF, Waukesha West (Wisc.) High School
Padres: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto (Tenn.) High School
Braves: Carter Stewart, RHP Eau Gallie (Fla.) High School
Athletics: Kyler Murray, OF, Oklahoma
Pirates: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama

The Orioles were linked to Weathers in some mock drafts, but he was gone by the 11th pick.

Update: The Orioles used the 37th overall pick on Oregon State junior shortstop Cadyn Grenier, giving them the middle infielder that they needed.

Grenier has been described as a "slick fielder" who was ranked as the No. 63 prospect by Baseball America and No. 68 by MLB.com. Baseball America wrote that he has "fantastic instincts and sure hands." But his bat is questionable. It's the glove that could advance him quickly through the system.

Grenier, a native of Henderson, Nev., earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors this season after posting a .970 fielding percentage. He posted a .328 average with 16 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 44 RBIs, and had a 27-game hitting streak

The Cardinals chose Grenier, listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, in the 21st round in 2015. He can play short or second base.

Photo by Joy S. Absalon