628 replies to this topic

[Mike B]

Who really knows if it is a good pick or not.  The Orioles like their High School pitchers though.

 

It feels like it is in part a sign-ability thing, but if they really like the arm, so be it.

[dude]

Just guys talking about a lot of helium in the draft concerns me.

 

It's a short term profile that you have to sustain.

 

Who were the other 2 "helium" 1st rounders by the Orioles?  Billy Rowell and Matt Hobgood.

 

Let's hope he fares infinitely better.

[Dr. FLK]

High School Pitcher.  Drafted by the Orioles.  I'm sorry Mr. Rodriguez, but it appears your career is over.

[SportsGuy]

Steve M:

O's scouting dir. Gary Rajsich said Grayson Rodriguez was the guy the O's wanted at No. 11 - "He was our target guy coming into the draft."

[Nigel Tufnel]

FWIW, Keith Law is OK with the pick:

 

Dan

3:04

With guys like Singer and Liberatore still available the Orioles reached for Rodriguez at 11. Defensible, or completely mystifying?

 

Keith Law

3:05

I would have taken Liberatore, but not Singer. Don't understand fans' abject hate of this pick. Rodriguez may not have been the best guy available but he's up to 97-98 with a hammer.

[SportsGuy]

I prefer the profile of Rodriguez more than Singer as well.

[dude]

Heyman reporting Rodriguez signs for 4.3M.

 

Ultimately the money really means nothing....whether it's 3.5M or 4.5M against slot, but the Orioles still seem so bad at this.  You have a guy that wants to sign and at least, against the industry perspective, is an underslot sign and you get nothing back.  Doesn't appear they had a specific conversation with him.

 

Liberatore is signing for 3.5M.

 

The #3 pick almost a million under slot.

 

If the Orioles don't draft him and he falls to #20, he's at 3M.....and you can't figure out how to get something better than slot?

[bnickle]

Tells me they werent blowing smoke when they said he was their guy at 11 all along.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Heyman reporting Rodriguez signs for 4.3M.

Ultimately the money really means nothing....whether it's 3.5M or 4.5M against slot, but the Orioles still seem so bad at this. You have a guy that wants to sign and at least, against the industry perspective, is an underslot sign and you get nothing back. Doesn't appear they had a specific conversation with him.

Liberatore is signing for 3.5M.

The #3 pick almost a million under slot.

If the Orioles don't draft him and he falls to #20, he's at 3M.....and you can't figure out how to get something better than slot?

That is quite irritating.

[SportsGuy]

Heyman reporting Rodriguez signs for 4.3M.

 

Ultimately the money really means nothing....whether it's 3.5M or 4.5M against slot, but the Orioles still seem so bad at this.  You have a guy that wants to sign and at least, against the industry perspective, is an underslot sign and you get nothing back.  Doesn't appear they had a specific conversation with him.

 

Liberatore is signing for 3.5M.

 

The #3 pick almost a million under slot.

 

If the Orioles don't draft him and he falls to #20, he's at 3M.....and you can't figure out how to get something better than slot?

This is all true.

 

Its also true that they look at the Orioles organization and say, if you want to sign us you have to pay more because of your history in developing pitchers.  

[dude]

Tells me they werent blowing smoke when they said he was their guy at 11 all along.

 

....but this has nothing really to do with what you sign him for.

 

If he's really your guy (different discussion) that's fine, but you have to be able to work the slotting system better than they do.

 

This happened in the other years too...Orioles are drafting guys and giving slot even though they are giving away 'value' in those spots.

 

The recent exception is Hays who took slot and got started (I like that).  He was higher rated and fell down the boards....he could have tried to get an extra couple hundred thousand, but ultimately signed and got it started.

[dude]

Its also true that they look at the Orioles organization and say, if you want to sign us you have to pay more because of your history in developing pitchers.  

 

I think agents are more likely to exploit the dysfunction of the organization than development risk.

 

"You guys need pitching desperately and he's your top pick, you will get crushed in the media if you don't sign him....are you really going to argue with us over 800k?....we'll discount it 75k...then you can say it's 'underslot'."

[SportsGuy]

I think agents are more likely to exploit the dysfunction of the organization than development risk.

 

"You guys need pitching desperately and he's your top pick, you will get crushed in the media if you don't sign him....are you really going to argue with us over 800k?....we'll discount it 75k...then you can say it's 'underslot'."

Certainly possible...but that all falls under the same basic umbrella.  You guys suck, so you pay more for me.  

 

Its a pretty simple concept and one that is a reality for the Os.

[McNulty]

Eh. If you are a hideous chud and you find someone who will dance with you, it’s best not to quibble over the bill.

[dude]

Eh. If you are a hideous chud and you find someone who will dance with you, it’s best not to quibble over the bill.

 

Can I just add....the Orioles are a team desperate to quibble over the bill and want 'their way' in everything, but it's not like they have to be a hideous chud, they make themselves that.

 

They get to pick between [whatever the opposite of hideous chud is] and hideous chud and they don't know how not to be a hideous chud.

[BobPhelan]

GCL: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 4 K, 3 BB, 1.20 WHIP

[BobPhelan]

GCL: 0-1, 1.35 ERA, 13.1 IP, 12 K, 6 BB, 1.35 WHIP

[BobPhelan]

GCL: 0-2, 1.40 ERA, 19.1 IP, 20 K, 7 BB, 1.24 WHIP

[BSLChrisStoner]

MASN: After solid 2018 debut, Grayson Rodriguez preps for first full pro year

http://www.masnsport...l-pro-year.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

BSL: https://www.baltimor...ring-2019-10-1/

 

(#5) Grayson Rodriguez, RHP

Ceiling: 55    Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2022      Role Description: Above-Average Starter (#3 SP)
Ht/Wt: 6’5” / 220 lbs.          B/T: R/R          Highest Level: R                 Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 4m
Video | Spotlight #1 | Spotlight #2

Baltimore went the prep arm route in the first round for the second straight draft, surprising some by popping Rodriguez 11th overall in 2018. (#3) DL Hall has turned out to be a great pick so far, and the way Rodriguez threw after signing, he could be on a similar developmental trajectory. A physical 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, his fastball was touching 97 mph in the GCL and sitting comfortably at 92-to-94 mph. Rodriguez’ curveball was a loopy mid-70s bender in high school but tightened into a harder, sharper pitch with just a few months of pro coaching. He’s strong enough to spin a true mid-80s slider that’s distinct from his curve, something not many pitchers this age can do. Rodriguez was working on his changeup during Instructional League, and though it’s his least refined offering, the athleticism and arm-speed are here to develop it further. Rodriguez has the ingredients of a power mid-rotation starter, and we’re excited to see what he does in full-season ball next year.