SUBSCRIBE

MLB mock draft roundup: A pitcher perfect night for the O's?

The Orioles have the fourth pick in Monday night’s MLB amateur draft, but it’s unclear who they will end up selecting. The Pirates will reportedly take UCLA pitcher Gerrit Cole first overall and the Mariners have been linked to Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon at No. 2. After those first two picks, all bets are off.

Chances are the Orioles will take a pitcher, but which one depends on how the draft dominoes tumble.

"Nothing has really changed; we are waiting to get information on the clubs in front of us, and we'll then try to figure out our plans," Orioles director of amateur scouting Joe Jordan told our Dan Connolly on Sunday night. "We are more in the wait-and-see mode right now, which means we are getting close."

It’s tougher to find mock drafts for MLB than it is for the NFL -- the NFL’s first round is much sexier than its baseball counterpart because we have actually heard of the players before a week prior to the draft -- but here are six MLB mock drafts that project whom the Orioles will take shortly after 7 p.m. on Monday night.

ESPN’s Keith Law: Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow High School (Okla.). “Could still be Danny Hultzen here, but late word has them working on Bradley after Hultzen's big contract demand came out."

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated: Dylan Bundy, RHP, Owasso High School (Okla.). "One lower-picking scouting director said if other scouting directors 'had any [guts]' they'd take this 100-mph thrower No. 1. Thing is, no high school righthander has ever gone first. Bundy is said to seek $30 million, but teams are looking at that as pie in the sky. 'Six or seven million is about right," one scouting director said. Bundy's brother Joe is in the system, but that's not the reason behind the pick. There was a rumor going around late Sunday they might go for yet another Oklahoma high school righthander, Archie Bradley. So lots of intrigue here."

Vince Caramela of The Hardball Times: Dylan Bundy, RHP, Owasso High School (Okla.). “This is pretty much a slam dunk among those reporting back with inside information. Based on Joe Jordan’s tendency to go with polished left-handed pitchers, I was inclined to pencil in Jed Bradley’s name but with the attention he is receiving from the O’s it would be a surprise if the team didn’t take Bundy if available. Bundy comes with the reputation as a pure power righty with a plus-plus curveball and an above average cutter. He also has a feel for the change-up and scouts feel that should play well above average in the near future.”

Yahoo’s Dallas Jackson: Dylan Bundy, RHP, Owasso High School (Okla.). “Baltimore is in a great spot here with any number of very solid pitching options to target. Bundy has already told several teams not to select him with his preference to continue his throwing regimen of long toss. The Orioles already have his older brother in the farm system so this make sense as the spot to take him -- it also is a fun story line in a few years as they both develop.”

Scout.com’s Frankie Piliere: Dylan Bundy, RHP, Owasso High School (Okla.). “It’s been no secret how much the O’s covet Dylan Bundy. Anthony Rendon has a shot to still be available here, however, and it will be interesting to see if that influences their decision. Ultimately they view the high-schooler Bundy, like many teams do, as being on par with a college pitcher and don't see him as much of a gamble.”

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com: Danny Hultzen, LHP, University of Virginia. “The O's were looking hard at Bundy, but there might be some issues with bonus demands there. If Bauer gets past Arizona, he could be the pick and there was late word that Oklahoma high schooler Archie Bradley had entered the picture.”

You tell me: Who do you think the Orioles should select?

Copyright © 2021, The Baltimore Sun, a Baltimore Sun Media Group publication | Place an Ad

You've reached your monthly free article limit.

Get Unlimited Digital Access

4 weeks for only 99¢
Subscribe Now

Cancel Anytime

Already have digital access? Log in

Log out

Print subscriber? Activate digital access