Rajsich hiring official (still waiting on Chong)

The Orioles just confirmed in a press release that Gary Rajsich has been hired as director of amateur scouting. "We have added a very good, veteran baseball man with this hire," executive vice president Dan Duquette said in a statement. "Gary is an excellent judge of talent at all levels." Rajsich's name is pronounced "Ray-sitch." Here's more from the press release: Rajsich, 57, began his scouting career with the Boston Red Sox, serving in both the amateur and professional departments from 1994-2006. In his time with Boston, Rajsich drafted and signed left-hander Jon Lester and was instrumental in acquiring right-hander Derek Lowe with catcher Jason Varitek from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-hander Heathcliff Slocumb on July 31, 1997. From Boston, Rajsich joined the Texas Rangers as a professional scout, where he served from 2006-2009. In the fall of 2009, he was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays as professional crosschecker. Selected and signed by the Houston Astros as an 11th round selection in the 1976 draft out of Arizona State University, Rajsich played four years in the major leagues (1982-85). The first baseman and right fielder made his Major League debut for the New York Mets in 1982, where he also played in 1983, and played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1984) and San Francisco Giants (1985). Rajsich finished his playing career with the Chunichi Dragons in the Japan Central League (1986-88). Rajsich and his wife, Linda, have been married for 35 years and have two sons, Lou, 28, and Lee, 27. Meanwhile, the Orioles still haven't announced the signing of Korean pitcher Chon Tae-Hyon. I've heard that he's taking his physical, so the two sides must have agreed to terms, but he's seeing more than one doctor and the Orioles must wait for the results to come back. The last time I checked with Duquette, he was hoping to have an announcement later this week. We'll continue to wait.