With the first pick in the 2019 MLB amateur draft, the Baltimore Orioles selected Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman.
Rutschman helped the Beavers to a College World Series title in 2018 during his sophomore season before leading all American hitters on the Collegiate National Team in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging. Rutschman set a record by collecting 17 hits in the College World Series to earn Most Outstanding Player honors. More recently, he was named the Pac-12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year.
Rutschman is the first catcher taken first overall since the Minnesota Twins selected Joe Mauer with the top pick in 2001.
The switch-hitting backstop was previously scouted in high school, but his commitment to Oregon State as a two-sport athlete caused him to fall to the 40th round of the 2016 draft. Known for his well-rounded game, Rutschman refined his approach at the collegiate level and is considered a plus hitter with plus defensive tools behind the plate.
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said he expects to sign Rutschman quickly, but the minor-league level where the prospect will start his professional career has yet to be determined, according to Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com.
Bio
Age: 21
Position: C
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 216 lbs
Bats/Throws: S/R
School: Oregon State
Pick value (No. 1): $8,415,300
MLB.com money quote: "With his all-around skills at a premium position while playing at the pinnacle of college baseball, Rutschman is sure to be in conversation for the top pick in the draft. The last time the Orioles took a switch-hitting college backstop with their first pick, Matt Wieters, it worked out pretty well."
2019 stats (as of June 3)
| GP | AVG | OPS | HR | BB/K | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | .419 | 1.345 | 17 | 73/37 | 5 |
