The Orioles have agreed to a $4.3MM bonus with first-rounder Grayson Rodriguez, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). As expected, per a recent report from Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com, Rodriguez will receive just less than the $4,375,100 bonus pool allocation that comes with the 11th overall pick that the Baltimore used to select him.
Entering the draft, evaluators saw Rodriguez as a clear first-round talent, but graded him just outside the top twenty or so draft-eligible prospects. But the O’s did not feel they were settling for the young right-hander.
Indeed, scouting director Gary Rajsich was effusive in his comments on the team’s top incoming amateur player. “We love him and we were just thrilled he was there for us at pick 11,” said Rajsich, who credited Rodriguez for possessing “a unique combination of power and polish.
Independent prospect rankings just aren’t quite as smitten, clearly, which makes Rodriguez all the more interesting to track as he enters the professional ranks. While the differences are in large part matters of degree and emphasis, there’s a split of opinion.
ESPN.com’s Keith Law, who ranked Rodriguez 22nd on his board, wrote: “[Rodriguez] has more effort in his delivery, and there’s at least a little concern that his trouble repeating it will eventually point him to the bullpen. He also hasn’t shown much of a third pitch to date.” Rajsich, meanwhile, says that his club’s new power arm comes with “advanced command of four pitches” and an “advanced delivery that he can repeat.”
O’s second-rounder Cadyn Grenier is also nearing a deal, Melewski adds. He, too, is expected to come in just under his slot value ($1,923,500).
Good sign….hope they keep him as a pitcher.
Yes, I understand, he could replace Davis—LOL!! That said, I’m excited. Some disagreement about what he currently possesses. Fine—that’s where player development comes in. Let’s see how that plays out. So, at the very least, the O’s drafted a pitcher with strong potential, upside.
I’ve learned to take anything an organizational rep says about a newly drafted player with a grain of salt, since Rajsich is always going to say the best possible things about a guy. Clearly he’s the one they wanted because they took him earlier than his “evaluations” said he should go.
However, I’ve also learned to take everything Keith Law says related to the O’s with a grain of salt. He can’t seem to let his Toronto history get out of the way when it comes to the O’s, being much more critical than other analysts.
In any case, I hope the kid stays healthy. The O’s haven’t had a lot of luck with that in recent years. Harvey was scratched from his start at AA last night with shoulder soreness.
I have watched him pitch. I think he will be the real deal. Heavy fastball pounds the ball low in the zone and a curve that will buckle a batters knees. As far as control he feels just as comfortable throwing a curve with a 3-2 count as the fastball which is perfect because most are gear up for the heat. He makes 96mph look effortless.