Orioles sign No. 1 overall pick Rutschman
Joe Trezza
Against the brick wall backdrop of the Orioles¡¯ executive offices, Adley Rutschman took pen to paper Monday, smiling wide. Across the table, club executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias extended a hand. The completed deal now gives the Orioles' rebuild a major boost.
That was the scene as the Orioles officially signed Rutschman on Monday, three weeks after selecting the former Oregon State catcher No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft. A deal had been expected, and it became imminent when Rutschman posted an Instagram story from Baltimore over the weekend. He received a record $8.1 million signing bonus, a source told MLB Pipeline¡¯s Jim Callis, breaking the previous record of $8 million that Gerrit Cole received from the Pirates as the top pick of the 2011 Draft.
The No. 1 overall pick this year was valued at $8,415,300; no top overall selection has received full slot value under the current system. The club has not confirmed the deal¡¯s value.
The Orioles announced the deal on Twitter on Monday night and plan to introduce Rutschman in a press conference Tuesday afternoon at Oriole Park. The Orioles will also give Rutschman an in-game greeting during Tuesday night's contest against the Padres, which will mark Manny Machado¡¯s first game back in Baltimore.
Arguably the most successful first-round draft pick in Orioles history, Machado will see his return to Oriole Park coalesce with Rutschman¡¯s first visit. Rutschman is the second No. 1 overall pick in franchise history, along with right-hander Ben McDonald in 1989. Considered one of the best catching prospects in recent memory, Rutschman was long viewed as the top player available before the Orioles plucked him from a field that included Texas prep shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Cal first baseman Andrew Vaughn and Vanderbilt outfielder JJ Bleday.
¡°It¡¯s hard to know where to start with Adley Rutschman,¡± Elias said on Draft night. ¡°He¡¯s a switch-hitting catcher, with power, plus he can hit from both sides with an unbelievable statistical resume. ¡ He¡¯s everything you want, and he plays a premium defensive position with athleticism that gives him versatility to play elsewhere, as needed. Adley is a future fixture for this organization.¡±
Rutschman won College World Series Most Outstanding Player honors as a sophomore for the national champion Beavers, then followed that up with a junior season that earned him Golden Spikes and Dick Howser Awards, given annually to the country¡¯s best amateur players. In 2019, Rutschman hit .411 with a 1.326 OPS, 17 home runs, 76 walks and just 38 strikeouts in 57 games, while leading all Division I players in walks and OBP.
The Orioles consider Rutschman¡¯s defensive acumen behind the plate near big league-ready right now. Elias also lauded his makeup after meeting with Rutschman this winter in Corvallis, Ore.
¡°He strikes you with his intelligence, presence, thoughtfulness,¡± Elias said. ¡°He has a good mind for the game. Good motor to him, energy level is strong. You can tell he¡¯s the captain of that team, whether it¡¯s officially or unofficially. That stuff just comes through when you meet him and talk to him. He was very impressive.¡±
The Orioles also agreed to terms with second-round pick Gunnar Henderson, according to multiple reports, including one from Callis. Callis reported the club went more than $528,000 above slot value to convince Henderson to forgo his commitment to Auburn, signing the prep shortstop for $2.3 million.
Baltimore has now agreed with 31 of its 41 players chosen in the Draft, and nine of its first 10 selections. The Orioles¡¯ highest-selected player still unsigned is third-round pick Zach Watson, a center fielder out of Louisiana State. The deadline to sign 2019 draftees is Friday, July 12, at 5 p.m. ET.