Yard Work: Episode 9

Hey, O's fans. Welcome to this week's edition of Yard Work. On this episode ...

Happy Draft Day! Tonight is the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, where we'll see the biggest talent in college and high school baseball take the next step on their path to becoming major league players. The Orioles have several picks in the top 100, including the 21st overall selection. The team is usually mum on any insight when it comes to the draft, but who might they be looking at? Steve Melewski and I will discuss and look back at the Orioles' recent trends in the draft.

As it happens, the draft may be arriving just at the right time, giving fans something to focus on after a rough weekend in the Bronx. The Orioles were swept at the hands of the Yankees and now find themselves in fourth place in the American League East for the first time all year. The starting pitching struggled again, while the offense tallied just eight runs in three games. Is it still too early to shake things up?

Hopefully the team can put the series against the Yankees in the rear view mirror as they head to Chicago for a four-game set against the White Sox. Last time they were there, Manny Machado had a game for the ages, smacking three home runs in his first three at-bats. Machado is working his way back from a wrist injury and should be good to go in the Windy City. Will we see an encore performance and one that could spark the Orioles out of their funk?

Finally, Melewski is bringing out his checkbook for another edition of Buy or Sell. Trey Mancini finishing top 3 in home runs for the Birds? A Gold Glove for Chris Davis? A healthy Zach Britton before the All-Star break? Melewski will buy or sell on these predictions and be sure to comment below to let us know what you're buying or selling.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @masnSteve and @brianeller1 and subscribe to the Yard Work podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to discuss? Leave a comment below!

Note: The Yard Work podcast will be recorded each week; therefore, all Orioles records and statistics will be current at time of recording, but may be different when podcast is downloaded. Please don't hold that against us!