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MLB Draft 2018: A Closer Look at Baltimore Orioles First Round Picks

By Christopher Church

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball teams fill Studio 42 during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball teams fill Studio 42 during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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For a Baltimore Orioles rebuild, it all starts with the array of talented prospects in the 2018 MLB draft.

The Baltimore Orioles draft selections in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft indicated a start of rebuilding the Orioles roster.

As the Orioles should, they selected top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez with the No. 11 overall pick, which marked the third straight season the Orioles picked a pitcher with their first pick. Next, at No. 37 overall, the Orioles chose shortstop Cadyn Grenier with their competitive balance pick.

Listed as the No. 22 prospect in the MLB Pipeline rankings, Rodriquez’s pitch arsenal includes three pitches: a curveball, fastball and slider. The 18-year-old pitching prospect’s fastball hits 92-94 mph consistently and has touched 97-98 mph throughout the spring. Combined with his slider and curveball, the Texas prep pitcher brings three effective pitches into the start of his professional baseball career.

After vastly upgrading his physical condition, the 6-foot-5 pitcher enjoyed a significant uptick in his MLB draft stock and the Orioles took notice.

Due to his draft stock soaring and being selected early in the first-round, Rodriguez likely will forego his commitment to play baseball at Texas A&M and sign with the Orioles.

Grenier, 21, is in the midst of his third season with Oregon State as they play for a national championship in the NCAA tournament. The shortstop is hitting .328 with five home runs and 44 RBIs this season with the Beavers and has started all 58 games.

Known as one of the premier defensive shortstops in college baseball, Grenier has the durability to be a reliable and effective long-term player in the majors.

Next: Orioles Considering Signing Hanley Ramirez

The Baltimore Orioles will pick No. 87 overall in the third round of the MLB draft and will have numerous picks throughout Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft. Day 2 will launch live on MLB Network or MLB.com throughout the day on June 5 followed by rounds 11-40 on Day 3 on June 6 to conclude the three-day draft event.

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