BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 27: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the … [+] Colorado Rockies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 27, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe Baltimore Orioles have been on an upward trajectory for the past few years.
The Orioles have been one of the most exciting teams in Major League Baseball.
Even with limited player payroll, the Orioles are getting the job done.
They are achieving with a payroll estimated by Fangraphs to be only $66 million.
Credit a front office, led by Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias and his staff, for astute selections in the MLB draft as a major factor in the team’s success.
At this writing, the Orioles are in first place in the American League East, just waiting to enter the playoffs.
The New York Yankees have spent an estimated $273 million on payroll this year. The results? For $207 million more than the Orioles have spent on player payroll, the Yankees are tied for last place in the division.
The Orioles have accomplished their remarkable success by making good use of a collection of consequential draft choices; which has yielded some of the best young prospects in baseball.
The Orioles are owned by the Angelos family, long known for being relatively frugal in player payroll.
The stories regarding ownership litigation and challenges for leadership of the Orioles between and among the Angelos family members are well chronicled,
Peter Angelos, the 94-year-old family patriarch, has relinquished daily operation of the franchise.
Peter’s son John, is the Chairman and Managing Partner of the team.
Forbes estimates the Orioles to be worth $1.73 billion.
Given extensive bickering, intra—family lawsuits, external litigation, and various and sundry hiccups along the way, the Orioles have seen their in-fighting painfully presented in the media.
Squabbles aside, the Orioles are an ever-improving baseball team.
The Orioles have averaged 22,707 customers per game this year.
A serious franchise issue remains, as the team has not yet renewed their stadium lease.
Despite everything, the Orioles are winning.
Recent Orioles draft choices have created a major reason for the surge in the standings.
Looking at Orioles Drafts: One need only review six years of Baltimore Orioles MLB First Year Player Drafts to uncover the ‘secret sauce” that has catapulted the Birds to the top of the American League East.
Consider the amazing impact of these six first round draft picks and their current impact on the team:
1) 2017- DL Hall-LHP-Age 24-1st round draft pick at No. 21 overall. Signing Bonus $3 million.
Hall is 6-2, 210 pounds. He was drafted out of Valdosta High School in Georgia.
Hall is now pitching in the big leagues and is working in the bullpen.
Hall’s fastball sits at 96 miles per hour. He also throws a slider and a changeup.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez throws to the Chicago White Sox during the … [+] second inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.2) 2018-Grayson Rodriguez-RHP-Age 23-1st round draft pick at No. 11 overall. Rodriguez received a $4.3 million Signing Bonus.
Rodriguez is 6-5, 230 pounds. Rodriguez was selected out of Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Rodriguez is now pitching in the Orioles rotation as the team’s number three starter. He is widely believed to be one of the best young starters in the league.
Rodriguez throws a fastball at 96 miles per hour, a changeup, a slider, a curve, and a cutter.
3) 2019- Adley Rutschman-C-Bats Both-1st overall MLB draft pick. $8.1 million Signing Bonus.
Rutschman is 6-2, 230 pounds.
An All Star, Rutschman is seen by many as one of the best, if not the best, catchers in the game. A good hitter with power, and a solid receiver, Rutschman can do it all on the field.
Rutschman could end up with a 20 home run/100 RBI season.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Heston Kjerstad #75 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a portrait … [+] during the 2023 Baltimore Orioles Photo Day at Ed Smith Stadium on February 23, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Getty Images4) 2020- Heston Kjerstad-OF-Age 24-Bats Left-Kjerstad was the 2nd player drafted overall. He received a $5.2 million Signing Bonus.
Kjerstad is 6-3, 205 pounds.
Kjerstad was chosen out of Canyon Randal High School in Amarillo, Texas.
Set back by myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle,) as well as hamstring issues, Kjerstad hasn’t yet made his big league debut. However, he is one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues. He has power, and an ability to be a game-changer at the plate.
Kjerstad is enjoying a better than .300 season at Double-A and Triple-A combined this year. He has hit more than 20 homers, and has shown a fine, dynamic bat.
5) 2021-Colton Cowser-Outfielder-Age 23-Bats Left-Drafted as the number 5 player taken overall, the Orioles gave Cowser a $4.9 million Signing Bonus.
Cowser is 6-2, 220 pounds.
Cowser made his big league debut this season, and is viewed as a potential component in the future Orioles outfield depth, with an ability to hit hard line drives.
So far, he has struggled a bit with the parent club, but he is still very raw and refining his game now at Triple-A Norfolk.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JULY 27: 2022 Baltimore Orioles first round pick, and Number 1 overall … [+] selection of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Jackson Holliday takes batting practice before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 27, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Getty Images6) 2022-Jackson Holliday-SS-Age 19-Bats Left-Drafted as the 1st player taken. The Orioles gave Holiday a signing bonus of $8,190,000.
Holliday is 6-0, 185 pounds.
The son of former big league star Matt Holliday, Jackson Holliday has tremendous bat to ball skills, and plays outstanding shortstop. Still in development, Holliday is projected to assume the big league shortstop roll once his development is complete.
Not all teams have success with first round draft choices. The Orioles front office deserves credit for using the MLB draft selection system to bolster their club to the American League playoffs.