Orioles select high school shortstop Ryan Mountcastle with 36th pick overall

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The Baltimore Orioles selected high school shortstop Ryan Mountcastle with the 36th and final pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft.

Mountcastle, 18, is compensation for slugger Nelson Cruz, who declined the Orioles' $15.3-million qualifying offer to sign with the Seattle Mariners during the offseason.

The Orioles used their 25th pick on Florida State outfielder D.J. Stewart.

Overview

Scouts love Mountcastle's bat speed and explosiveness through the zone, which allows him to square up on pitches with exceptional force for his position. Talent evaluators are concerned Mountcastle's lack of defensive chops will allow him to stick at shortstop at the pro level, though his bat projects well at either third base or the outfield.

Bio

Position: SS
School: Hagerty HS
Height/Weight: 6-4, 190 pounds
Age: 18
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Highlights

(Courtesy: MLB.com)