O's add to stacked system with speedy Vanderbilt OF Bradfield at No. 17

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles’ highly regarded farm system has graduated a lot of players to the big leagues over the past year-plus. Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson arrived in Baltimore last season, while Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser have both debuted in the Majors over the past two weeks.

“We’re promoting so many of these guys, I’m starting to worry about our farm-system rankings,” general manager Mike Elias said with a smile.

Elias need not worry too much. There’s still plenty of talent coming through the O’s Minor League pipeline. And they also began to replenish it on Sunday night.

With the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Baltimore selected Vanderbilt outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. The Orioles also took University of North Carolina outfielder Mac Horvath at No. 53 in the second round and Florida State right-hander Jackson Baumeister at No. 63 in Competitive Balance Round B.

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By selecting Bradfield, the O’s used their first-round pick on a left-handed-hitting college outfielder for the third time in four years, as they previously took Arkansas’ Heston Kjerstad (No. 2 overall in '20) and Sam Houston State’s Cowser (No. 5 in '21).

Bradfield is a much different player from either Kjerstad or Cowser, though. The former Commodores center fielder is best known for his 80-grade speed and his 70-grade fielding, a pair of tools that stood out to Elias when he watched Bradfield on tape.

? Get to know Orioles' No. 17 pick Enrique Bradfield Jr.

“A tremendous profile to work from as a left-handed hitter and has the impact defense and speed to carry him,” Elias said. “He’s a very good offensive player, great eye, top-of-the-order kind of approach and skill set. We just think that he profiles very well and has skills that tend to scale well up the ladder in professional baseball.”

Bradfield, who was MLB Pipeline’s No. 21 prospect in the 2023 Draft class, likely would have been taken in the ‘20 MLB Draft -- which was shortened to five rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- had he not been set on attending Vanderbilt following his time at American Heritage School in Plantation, Fla. His stint with the Commodores may have only boosted his Draft stock.

Over three seasons at Vandy, Bradfield was a .311 hitter who posted a .426 career on-base percentage and set the program record for stolen bases early in his 2023 junior campaign. He swiped 130 bags in his college career, which included going 46-for-46 as a sophomore in ‘22.

“I know in the past few Drafts we’ve taken a lot of guys that have some power production, and this is a little bit different look,” Orioles director of Draft operations Brad Ciolek said. “But having that guy at the top of the lineup to wreak havoc on the basepaths and play a double-plus defense grade in center field, it really makes you feel good as far as the entire package that you’re getting. He’s the type of guy that you probably hate playing against and love having him if he’s on your team.”

At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Bradfield has a 50-grade hit tool and only 40-grade power. However, Elias is still intrigued by the 21-year-old’s potential at the plate.

“The way he controls the zone, he can spray the ball around to all fields,” Elias said. “He’s got enough power for his profile. I think there’s still offensive ceiling to be had, if he can continue to make improvements with his mechanics and just fine-tune his approach.”

Of course, it may not matter if Bradfield has anywhere close to 20-homer potential or not if he can use his speed, his defense and his athleticism to quickly move up the Orioles’ system.

Elias believes there’s a good chance of that happening. He said Baltimore had Bradfield high on its board, and the club was thrilled he was still available at No. 17.

“If we’re correct that he’s a plus-plus center fielder -- and it doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of controversy about that -- that’s a really nice defensive profile to help carry you through the Minors and into the Major Leagues,” Elias said. “We’re very happy that we have him. We’re adding him to what’s the top system in baseball, and he’s a big part of it now.”

Here’s more about the Orioles’ two later picks on Day 1 of the Draft:

No. 53: Mac Horvath, OF, North Carolina

Horvath’s best tools are his running and his arm (both 60 grade), but he also has some pop in his bat, the reason for his 55-grade power. He began his career at North Carolina as a third baseman (playing there in 2021 and '22), but he moved to the outfield as a junior in '23.

A 21-year-old right-handed hitter who stands at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Horvath could move around the diamond a bit early in his professional career, as the O’s hope to maintain his defensive versatility.

“We’re ultimately going to look to capitalize on his athleticism, get him some reps out in center field, but also make sure he’s also getting reps at third base,” Ciolek said.

No. 63: Jackson Baumeister, RHP, Florida State

The 20-year-old right-hander, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds, is the first pitcher to be selected by Baltimore earlier than the third round since Elias became GM in November 2018.

Baumeister, a Jacksonville native, spent two seasons at Florida State. He mostly worked as a reliever in 2022, when he recorded a 5.60 ERA over 19 games (two starts) and collected 41 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. He joined the Seminoles’ starting rotation in '23, when he pitched to a 5.09 ERA and racked up 95 strikeouts in 69 innings over 15 games (14 starts).

“We’ve always liked the arm that he’s had,” Ciolek said. “He runs it up to 98 [mph], sits 93, 94. I think the thing that really made us intrigued with Jackson is how the fastball plays. We think that we can maximize his arsenal by having him pitch further up in the zone with his fastball.

“He also has a complete repertoire, as far as a starting pitcher is concerned. A sweepy slider that is conducive to getting chases for right-handed hitters. The curveball is a little bit of a softer breaker, but we think we can add some velocity to improve that. And we’re going to also look to up his repetition of his changeup.”