Wrapping up the draft with O's scouting director Gary Rajsich

The Orioles completed three days of the First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday. As we reported here yesterday, they've made a lot of progress on getting agreements already, with most of their top 10 selections, including first round pick prep pitcher Grayson Rodriguez and their second pick, Oregon State shortstop Cadyn Grenier. Both are expected to sign for slightly under-slot bonuses.

From a draft pool of $8,754,400 for the Orioles, the slot value of the No. 11 pick for Rodriguez is $4,375,100. For Grenier at No. 37, it is $1,923,500. The team will start having players take physicals on Monday, and signing announcements soon could follow. Rodriguez will likely begin his pro career in the Gulf Coast League, and Grenier will probably go to short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

"We have some agreements in place," scouting director Gary Rajsich said. "But they are all pending physicals. Some will come to Baltimore for physicals, and many will go to Florida for that."

The Orioles drafted 22 pitchers: 16 right-handers and six lefties. They drafted seven infielders, seven outfielders and four catchers. Of their 40 picks, 28 are from the college ranks and 12 are from high schools. The team will likely sign 32 to 34 of those selected.

"I like a mix of high school and college, but we were a little short on high school players this year. There was a shortage on high school players this year," Rajsich said.

The club took pitchers with eight of its first 10 selections, but started day three Wednesday selecting four straight college position players.

"We were pretty aggressive on position players early," said Rajsich. "We found a lot of catchers, center fielders, shortstops and second basemen. We tried to stay in the middle of the field if we could."

The O's first pick yesterday was a catcher from the University of North Carolina. They took Cody Roberts in round 11, after his junior season, during which he hit .272/.371/.379 for the Tar Heels.

"He has a plus-plus arm and is a very good receiver. We really like him defensively. He can really throw. He should have one of the best catchers' arms in our system," Rajsich said.

The Orioles selected two players from their home state. In round 18 they drafted prep right-hander Jake Zebron from Colonel Richardson High in Federalsburg, Md., in Caroline County on the Eastern Shore. With a fastball that ranges from 90 to 93 mph, he went 7-1 this season with a 0.69 ERA and had 70 strikeouts over 51 innings.

"We like his arm strength," Rajsich said of Zebron. "He throws strikes with a good breaking ball and has a feel for a changeup. We had him here (at Camden Yards) for a tryout."

According to his local paper and this story, Zebron got the word yesterday about 1:30 p.m. that the Orioles had drafted him, and five hours later got his high school diploma. The Orioles seem likely to sign Zebron.

In round 32, the Orioles selected prep lefty Jayvien Sandridge, a Hagerstown native from Mercersburg (Pa.) Academy. Sandridge and Zebron were scouted by Nathan Showalter, the son of the O's skipper.

In round 12 the Orioles selected UC-Santa Barbara senior shortstop Clay Fisher.

"He's a pure shortstop and we like his athletic ability. He is coming back from Tommy John surgery last year and has just begun throwing," Rajsich said.

In the 13th round the Orioles selected Sam Houston State junior third baseman Andrew Fregia. His name is pronounced "Free-jay." He could turn into a utility-type player.

"He is a very athletic super utility-type player that can play short, second, third, center field and also catch. He runs well and has some power. A very interesting guy. There is not a manager out there that doesn't love versatile players. He is that type of guy. His versatility on defense definitely ran him up the board for us."

In the 38th round the Orioles took prep right-hander Slade Cecconi out of Trinity Prep School in Florida. He was taken with the overall No. 1,135 pick but was ranked No. 79 by Baseball America. The Orioles may take a run at him, but he figures to be very tough to sign. He has a college commitment to Miami.

For a full listing of the Orioles selections, click here.