Baltimore Orioles Rule 5 Draft Selections.
The Baltimore Orioles have drafted Richie Martin with the first pick in the 2018 Rule 5 draft.
The Orioles, after playing to a 47-115 record, were awarded the 1st overall pick in the Rule 5 draft, and the first year player draft, with that selection, they took Oakland Athletics farmhand shortstop, Richie Martin. Martin, a now 23 year old, former first round pick, was expected to be added to the Athletics 40 man roster and then however was not which gave the Orioles a chance to pick him.
Richie Martin is known for his defense and speed as he has always been a well regarded defensive shortstop, as well as having the ability to play second base also and steal many bases. Martin’s bat has struggled for most of his career but this year as he played with the Oakland Athletics Double-A affiliate, the Midland Rockhounds, he hit .300 with 29 doubles. Hopefully this is a sign of what the Athletics saw in him when they drafted him with the 20th overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Richie Martin has a chance to start at shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles.
The Orioles did not make any other selections in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft, however they did trade for a player after the draft, who was drafted.
The Philadelphia Phillies have traded Drew Jackson to the O’s for international signing bonus money after Jackson was picked in the first round of the Rule 5 draft by the Phillies. Drew Jackson, a Dodgers farmhand, is known for his defense mostly because of his strong arm and his ability to play many positions, such as second base, shortstop, third base, and center field. Originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners and traded to the Dodgers in a package for Chase De Jong, Jackson last played in Double-A with the Tulsa Drillers. While he is not known for his bat, his swing has been overhauled and he saw a power increase this season. Jackson has the ability to potentially be the utility man for the Orioles going forward and he also brings more speed to the roster.
Both of these players will need to be kept on the active 25 man roster to stay in the Orioles organization past this season.
The Orioles did not lose any players in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft, however, they did lose a few in the minor league session:
1B Corban Joseph
OF Randolph Gassaway
1B Wilson Garcia
RHP Jeffeson Medina
They also picked up one player in the minor league portion, Taylor Grover, a 27 year old right handed pitcher from the Cincinnati Reds Organization who throws 102 miles per hour, but is a little bit wild.
While the Orioles did lose some decent players in the minor league phase, the minor league depth is replaceable and the Orioles acquired some possible key assets going forward in the rebuild at the major league level.
