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Baltimore Orioles: Five Biggest Draft Busts

By Ben Palmer

Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Adam Loewen against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Adam Loewen against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Adam Loewen (2004 Draft) – 10-8, 5.85 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 159 K

Adam Loewen was supposed to be an absolute stud, he was named Baseball America’s top prospect in 2004, which is why the Orioles drafted him with the fourth-overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft.

But during his time in Baltimore, Loewen was plagued with injuries, including a couple stress fractures, which caused him to declare his pitching career over in 2008. After that, he attempted to transition to becoming a position player, however that never really worked out, making only a few appearances as a position player for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011.

In 2014, however, Loewen attempted to make a comeback to pitching, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, and ended up pitching in 20 games for them as a relief pitcher with a 6.98 ERA.

Eventually, Loewen was released by the Phillies and, last season, signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamonbacks, pitching in eight different games for them with a 15.00 ERA. Needless to say, this is far from what everyone expected out of Adam Loewen.

Players drafted later: Zach Greinke (#6), Prince Fielder (#7), Scott Kazmir (#15), Cole Hamels (#17)

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