Background

Vader played quarterback in high school.

Sebastian Vader was drafted by the Orioles in the 18th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Vader signed for $150,000 and attended San Marcos HS, which is also where LHP Tim Berry went.

Vader had not pitched above the GCL prior to his 2012 season with Aberdeen, where he mad 13 starts. He pitched 70.1 innings for the IronBirds and walked only 24 batters.

Scouting Report

At 6′ 4″, 175 lbs., Vader has lots of room too fill out. He’s still young and how successful he’ll be depends on whether or not his 88-91 mph fastball sees an increase in velocity as he fills out and gets stronger.

At this stage, Vader’s slider is inconsistent, but an above-average pitch at times. It’s extremely effective when located down in the zone but he hangs it quite often. His mechanics present no major red flags and he has the frame to become a durable, innings eater.

Future

With Vader, you have a raw pitcher, but one who has the tools and talent to break through in a big way once he has matured physically.

He pitched well at Aberdeen and should open 2013 as part of Delmarva’s rotation.

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Career Statistics

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Background

Price is a smart pitcher and has a clear idea of how to set up hitters.

The Orioles drafted Matt Price in the 7th round of the 2012 MLB draft and gave him a slot bonus of $149,300. If healthy, Price would have been sent to the GCL for a few games followed by more innings at Aberdeen. However, a right shoulder injury kept price out of game action in the GCL.

“His physical wasn’t completely clean and they are being overly cautious,” Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich said. “I’m not saying that is anything out of the ordinary, it is just a pitcher with a lot of wear and tear.”

Scouting Report

Price is a smart pitcher and has a clear idea of how to set up hitters and works both sides of the plate. His smarts make up for his stuff which is not overpowering. His command and control help all of his pitches play up.

He throws his fastball in the 89-93 mph range in relief and has good action on his slider. His change up is effective enough to balance out his other pitches and sits in the 79-82 mph range.

Future

Price should progress quickly through the minors if he remains healthy. Despite the fact that Price has yet to make his pro debut, he’s still likely to open 2013 as part of Delmarva’s bullpen.

Discuss Matt Price in our Minors forum >>
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photo credit

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Background

Drake struck out 15 and walked 4 in 18 innings for the Baysox in 2012.

Most teams didn’t know Oliver Drake was draft eligible coming out of Navy, but the Orioles did. Baltimore awarded drake a $100,000 bonus as a 43rd round pick and he was immediately thought of as a steal.

Drake progressed through the minors nicely and pitched well at each stop, but a shoulder injury which required surgery halted his progression in 2012. He had been placed on the Orioles’ 40-man roster prior to 2012 but was recently removed to make room for Jonathan Schoop and Mike Belfiore.

Drake made just three appearances in, where he struck out 15 and walked 4 in 18 innings for the Baysox.

Scouting Report

In the past, Drake’s fastball sat in the 91-95 mph range, but it’s unclear where his velocity currently sits because of his shoulder surgery.

His slider has always been a very good pitch that is above-average when he’s really on his game. Drake’s changeup was still a work in progress, but the shoulder surgery might push him to the bullpen where is lack of a changeup is much less of a concern.

Future

I’ve always liked Drake better as a reliever, and think it’s likely he comes back next season in that role.

He’ll open 2013 with the Baysox.

Discuss Oliver Drake in our Minors forum >>
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Career Statistics

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Loner Instance: When a player was ranked on [two] of the [three] lists, the person that didn’t rank the player is the loner.

Renegade Pick: When one [of us] ranks a player on our list and the player doesn’t appear on any of the other [two lists]. The [person] that ranks the player is the renegade.

The post ON’s Combined 2012 Mid-Season Top 30 Prospect Lists appeared first on Orioles-Nation.

Discuss these rankings in our Minors forum >>

The post Jordan’s Mid-Season Top 30 Prospects 2012 appeared first on Orioles-Nation.

Discuss these rankings in our Minors forum »

The post Tucker’s Mid-Season Top 30 Prospects 2012 appeared first on Orioles-Nation.

The post Jordan’s Post-Signing Deadline Depth Chart 2012 appeared first on Orioles-Nation.

Discuss Tucker’s depth chart in our Minors forum >>

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Kline could pitch for parent club as early as 2013.

The Orioles have agreed to terms with 2nd round pick Branden Kline, according to Steve Melewski of MASN Sports. Kline signed for slot, which is $793,700, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.

The Orioles today also agreed to terms with 4th round pick Christian Walker and 7th round pick Matt Price.

They have now signed 27 of their 40 draft picks.

Don’s Thoughts: Branden Kline is a bit of a tweener who I feel would be better suited as a relief pitcher, but I would keep stretching him out as a starter to improve his arsenal and command.  He is a basically a two pitch pitcher with a good fastball and curve combination.  He is a player that was throwing 91-93 mph as a starter and in relief he was up to 95 mph.

He could improve his strength and see a tick or two increase on the fastball with what could be 96-97 mph in relief.  The power curve has some serious spin and depth to it, and he has good command and control of the offering. His two pitch combo would make him a quality 7th or 8th inning arm.

He has a change up that needs some refinements. He also needs to refine a few aspects of his delivery, and create a safer arm action.  He has the upside of a middle rotation starter.  I think if the Orioles feel they are contending sooner rather than later, he may start in the low levels and move to the bullpen as he progresses quickly through the system.  I do not think he would take long to develop in relief role, and could pitch for parent club as early as 2013 in relief.

2012 Draft Tracker >>
Branden Kline Scouting Report >>

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Matt Price is a fast tracking bullpen arm that will not wow you, but could be a useful 6th or 7th inning arm.

The Orioles have agreed to terms with 7th round pick Matthew Price, according to Steve Melewski of MASN Sports. Price signed for slot, which is $149,300, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.

The Orioles today also agreed to terms with 2nd round pick Branden Kline and 4th round pick Christian Walker.

They have now signed 27 of their 40 draft picks.

Don’s Thoughts: Matt Price is a fast tracking bullpen arm that will not wow you, but could be a useful 6th or 7th inning arm.  He is battle tested and a proven senior.

He has a clear idea of how to set up hitters and works both sides of the plate.  He will work 93 mph in relief and has good action on his slider that would be his secondary bread and butter. His change up is effective enough to balance out his other pitches and is in the 79-82 mph range. His command and control will help his pitches play up.

2012 Draft Tracker >>
Matthew Price Scouting Report >>

The post Orioles Sign 7th Round Pick Matthew Price appeared first on Orioles-Nation.

The Orioles today also agreed to terms with 2nd round pick Branden Kline and 7th round pick Matt Price.

If Walker finds the power stroke against professional pitching, he could be a steal at this stage of the draft.

They have now signed 27 of their 40 draft picks.

Don’s Thoughts:  Whether or not you like this pick depends how much faith you have that the hit tool and power can translate to professional pitching. He should have above average contact potential, but I am bearish and see simply average power.

Against better pitching, he just did not look like he would put up power numbers against advanced pitching in the future. He works counts well, is always patient, and has a very good overall approach to the plate.

He is a good athlete and moves around the bag well. Walker always shows the ability to get on base and moves around the bases well for his size. On base percentage is seen as a huge need with the Orioles philosophy and his ability to work counts and get on base was seen as an asset with the Gamecocks.

When he was in high school, he looked like a future dual threat bat. The size and strength are present. He can hit and get on base. If he finds the power stroke against professional pitching, he could be a steal at this stage of the draft.

2012 Draft Tracker >>
Christian Walker Scouting Report >>

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Price is a fast tracking bullpen arm that will not wow you, but could be a useful 6th or 7th inning arm.

Don’s Thoughts: Matt Price is a fast tracking bullpen arm that will not wow you, but could be a useful 6th or 7th inning arm.  He is battle tested and a proven senior.

He has a clear idea of how to set up hitters and works both sides of the plate.  He will work 93 mph in relief and has good action on his slider that would be his secondary bread and butter. His change up is effective enough to balance out his other pitches and is in the 79-82 mph range. His command and control will help his pitches play up.

Scouting Report:

Baseball Draft Report

normally I start by writing about the fastball, but I really, really like his low-80s SL (82-84) so that gets top billing; also throws a softer CB; 89-92 FB, up to 94 out of bullpen; had strange, brief peak of mid- to upper-90s during brief stretch in 2011, but more of a low-90s guy; solid third pitch in 79-81 CU; experiment as starting pitcher went more or less as expected (i.e. not great), but Price has recaptured his magic in the bullpen; he’s more of an all-time great college pitcher than an exciting pro prospect, but he’s not just a college guy, either – there’s a big league bullpen out there that could surely use a competitor like Price; 6-2, 215 pounds

Bullpen Banter

Average height, well filled out; not projectable
Delivery has some effort but less than I remember; Long arm action with a 3/4 arm slot
Fastball has solid velocity and some late arm side run; velocity was generally 88-90 with a few 91s and 92s strewn in (via TV gun)
Generating swings and misses on fastball
Lower velocity fastballs show some late sink; straightens out at the higher velocities a bit
Tight 11-5 slider with late tilt; depth varies; 79-81 (via TV gun)
Slider has good downward movement that is late and sharp
Change up has mediocre action with some fade and drop; 75 (via TV gun)
Clearly his third pitch and more of a change of show me offering
Showed good command of his fastball; leaned heavily on the pitch and showed ability to paint both corners
long arm action with effort; falls off mound, sometimes hard

Links:

Video:

Orioles 2012 Draft Tracker >>

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The 2011 First Year Player Draft (the official name has changed many times) begins on Monday, June 6th. Coverage begins at MLB.com and on MLB Network at 6 PM, with the clock starting at 7 PM. The first round and first supplemental round (including selections awarded as compensation to teams who lost Type-A and Type-B Free Agents) will be broadcast completely on day 1. Day 2 is comprised of rounds 2-30, with day 3 completing rounds 31-50 in rapid fire succession. Follow this link to MLB.com’s draft tracker including the complete order of selections.

Round One

The Orioles hold the fourth overall selection in this year’s draft. This class is heavy on college pitching at the top, and unless top prospect Anthony Rendon (3B, RICE) falls due to concerns over shoulder soreness, the Orioles will likely add another arm to their system. Here is a quick and dirty rundown of some of the most likely candidates for Baltimore’s selection:

Dylan Bundy (RHP, OWASSO HS, OK)

Bundy is, in my opinion, the most likely selection at 1:4. The 6-1, 205 pound righty is the brother of current Orioles prospect Bobby Bundy, and might end up the better pitcher of the two. With a mid-to-upper 90s fastball, a strong and well-conditioned frame, and surprisingly advanced secondaries, Bundy is the rare HS pitcher who projects as a potential ace and could move through a minor league system in two or three years. All things being equal, the Orioles would prefer a college arm here, but Bundy’s combination of stuff and feel could make him the best overall pitcher on the board at 1:4.

Danny Hultzen (LHP, VIRGINIA)

Hultzen is one of the safest arms in the draft, and has accordingly been linked to both Pittsburgh (first overall selection) and Arizona (third overall). Hultzen was drafted in ’08 by the Diamondbacks but chose to play college ball for UVA. Arizona has been following him closely over the last three years, and they are currently the front runner to select him, but a Bundy or Bauer selection could cause him to drop to Baltimore. If Bundy and Hultzen are both available, Scouting Director Joe Jordan will have a tough decision ahead of him. Hultzen doesn’t possess Bundy’s Ace upside, but he fits the Orioles mold of a polished, college lefty and could step into the middle of a rotation as soon as August of 2012.

Trevor Bauer (RHP, UCLA)

Over the last few years, Bauer has stood in the shadow of teammate Gerrit Cole, who is arguably the best arm (and possibly best overall talent) in this year’s draft. An unbelievable junior campaign, however, has earned Bauer top 10 consideration in his own right. The right-hander accumulated 189 Ks and just 34 walks over the regular season, and on Saturday broke Mark Prior’s PAC-10 record of 202 strikeouts. There are some concerns: Bauer has accumulated high pitch counts on consecutive starts regularly through the season and he carries an unusual violent delivery (somewhat reminiscent of Tim Lincecum’s motion). He has at times this season fallen in love with the strikeout, getting ahead of hitters and then nibbling out of the zone in an attempt to produce the swinging strike. Some scouts question whether his swing and miss tendencies and overall command will translate at the highest level, but the results so far are pristine. Several evaluators have recently gone so far as to say they would select Bauer over any arm in the draft, including Cole.

Several other candidates are possibilities, including Broken Arrow HS (OK) righty Archie Bradley, Gardner-Edgerton HS (KS) two-way phenom Bubba Starling, and, in the unlikely event that one drops out of the first two slots, Rendon and Cole. If the the top of the board goes as currently projected, however, the three aforementioned pitchers stand the best chance of entering the Orioles system.

Later Rounds

It is imperative that Baltimore choose wisely with their first overall selection, as they don’t pick again until slot 64 overall. Still, as good as the 2011 draft class is at the top, its biggest strength is depth. Plenty of safe, college players should be around in rounds 2-5, and high bonus demands of some of the riskier HS talents could drop them as well. Joe Jordan has shown a propensity for nabbing fallen players for overslot bonuses in the middle rounds, and that strategy could serve him well this year.

Alex Dickerson (1B, INDIANA), Matt Skole (3B/1B, GEORGIA TECH), Kyle Gaedele (OF, VALPARAISO), and Jason Esposito (3B, VANDERBILT) represent some of the best college bats that could fall past the first and first supplemental rounds, while there should be plenty of safe, potential mid-to-back-end college starters available, such as Sean Gilmartin (LHP, FLORIDA ST.), Joe Osich (OREGON ST.), Tony Zych (RHP, LOUISVILLE), Matt Price (SOUTH CAROLINA) and several others.

Some notable high-profile players who might drop a bit due to injury are Matt Purke (RHP, TEXAS CHRISTIAN), Andrew Susac (C, OREGON ST.), Kyle Winkler (RHP, TEXAS CHRISTIAN) and Blake Swihart (C, Cleveland HS, NM). Others could drop unexpectedly due to high bonus demands or other issues. There are surprises in every draft class.

Regardless of how the draft shakes out, there will be plenty of opportunities for the Orioles to infuse some much needed talent into their minor league system. We’ll find out very soon just who the biggest names will be.

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