Brandon Erbe and Garrett Olson have already become two of the Orioles' hottest pitching prospects. Nolan Reimold has impressed club officials and scouts with his power. Brandon Snyder was named the top prospect in the Appalachian League last season because of his ability at the plate.
The Orioles' haul in the 2005 First Year Player Draft, the first for scouting director Joe Jordan, has produced impressive dividends so far. As the Orioles prepare for this year's draft, which starts today, they will adhere in the early rounds to the same game plan from last year. Regardless of need or position, the club will select the player who it feels has the most ability.
"My philosophy is pretty simple," Jordan said. "It's tools, it's athletes, it's baseball players. We have to find those three ingredients as much as we can."
The Orioles have the ninth overall selection in the first round today and a sandwich pick, No. 32 overall as compensation for free-agent closer B.J. Ryan signing with Toronto. The talent pool teams will select from will be considerably weaker than last year, according to draft analysts.
Jim Callis, executive editor of Baseball America, called it the thinnest draft since 2000. Callis said that Long Beach State infielder Evan Longoria would have been a "mid first-round pick" last year, but he will likely be the first position player taken today.
In person, Jordan has scouted around 250 potential prospects and Orioles scouts and cross-checkers have watched hundreds more. Jordan considers infield and catching depth as two of the organization's biggest needs, but position players figure to be at a premium in a pitching-heavy draft class.
"The position player pool, from high school and college, was really good last year. It's just not the case this year," Jordan said. "We'll get them lined up and make a decision as this thing evolves."
Jordan, of course, wouldn't tip his hand on where the Orioles are leaning with the No. 9 pick, but he acknowledged that because of the nature of this year's draft, if the "right position player is there, you probably have to go try and get it and then get pitching later."
The Orioles are known to have a strong interest in Bill Rowell, a power and left-handed-hitting infielder from Bishop Eustace Prep in New Jersey. Rowell worked out at Camden Yards last week and is projected to play either third base or a corner outfield spot at the next level. His stock has risen recently and he may not be available at No. 9.
