Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where we are already excited about the 2020 draft

Good morning, Birdland!

Earlier this week, MLB Pipeline put out their list of the top 100 prospects in the 2020 draft. As Orioles fans, this should interest us more than any free agent rumors because our club has two first round picks this summer: number two overall and then again at 31. Get hype!

As it stands, there seem to be three candidates for the top pick in the draft: Georgia pitcher Emerson Hancock, Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson and Vanderbilt shortstop Austin Martin. I know almost nothing about these three guys, but man would it be nice to have a top-rated middle infielder in the Orioles system. It’s something that they are sorely lacking.

But there is still a season of amateur baseball ahead. A high school could be a fast riser in the next few months. Or a college kid could experience a tough injury. A lot can change, which is why the Orioles won’t be making a pick just yet.

Even still, it’s fun to think about and start dreaming on a few uber-talent youngsters that could one day don the orange and black alongside Adley Rutschman and whomever the O’s have their eye on for one of the top picks in 2021.

Links

Fry seeks more success in second half - School of Roch
For whatever reason, I never noticed that Paul Fry had more pitching appearances than anyone else on the Orioles. That starts to make his late-season struggles a bit more understandable.

There’s Real Interest In IF Adeiny Hechavarria - Birds Watcher
The Orioles felt like a good match for Adeiny Hechavarria last year as well. Instead they opted for Rule 5 pick Richie Martin. That didn’t go so great, but it made some sense. Martin remains on the 40-man roster, but looks ticketed for Triple-A to start 2020.

Orioles’ fans face a tough year or two or five ahead - Baltimore Sun
Are you serious? I thought Rome WAS built in a day. I want my theoretical money back!

Oriole left-handers might be affected by three-batter minimum rule - Baltimore Baseball
The role of the LOOGY is effectively gone. In the future, the legend of Brian Matusz dominating David Ortiz will not exist. It’s a shame!

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Rich Coggins is 69. Coggins was an outfielder for the Orioles from 1972 through 1974. He hit .282/.331/.393 in 239 games during that time and accumulated 4.6 bWAR.

Also celebrating is 89-year-old Hal Smith, who played catcher and third base for the O’s in 1955 and ‘56. He was a .268/.317/.369 hitter during his time with the club.

1977 - The Orioles trade pitchers Rudy May, Randy Miller and Bryn Smith to the Montreal Expos in exchange for pitchers Don Stanhouse and Joe Kerrigan plus outfielder Gary Roenicke.

2001 - Brady Anderson signs a one-year deal with the O’s.