Orioles select Oregon State backstop Rutschman with 2019 first overall pick
The Baltimore Orioles have selected Oregon State star catcher Adley Rutschman with the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Rutschman was touted as the best player available in this year’s draft. The switch-hitting catcher was said to be the best No. 1 pick since Bryce Harper in 2010.
Rutschman is said to be a better catching prospect than Buster Posey, Joe Mauer, and former Oriole backstop Matt Wieters.
The biggest factor in the Oriole selection is Rutschman’s stellar offensive capabilities. This season, Rutschman batted an impressive .418/.580/.764 in 56 games for the Beavers, with 17 home runs and 58 RBI. Rutschman also lead the PAC-12 Conference in batting average and placed fourth in home runs.
Rutschman won the Most Outstanding Player award in 2018 when the Oregon State Beavers won their third College World Series.
Rutschman is just the third catcher in MLB history to be drafted as the No. 1 pick. The last catcher drafted first overall was Joe Mauer in 2001.
Rutschman is the Orioles’ first No. 1 overall draft pick since the team took starting pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989.
Although it is not clear when and where Rutschman will report, it is projected that he will join his former Beaver teammate Cadyn Grenier in Class-A Delmarva, who are currently 42-13 on the season.