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It has been a few years since the Baltimore Orioles had a top 10 pick. The last time they found themselves with a premier pick was back in 2022 when they took Jackson Holliday first overall.
However, later this summer, the club will be drafting No. 7. And there will be loads of talent to choose from when it's their turn to be on the clock.
Over the last few years, the front office has gone after college players, but they have grabbed a handful of prep players as well. So, it could be up in the air with how the front office is leaning.
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Orioles linked to Alabama shortstop with a questionable hit tool
Baltimore has leaned toward taking position players over pitchers over the last few years. The last pitcher they took in the first round came all the way back in 2018 when they took Grayson Rodriguez, and we all know how that worked out.
So, the front office may think twice about grabbing an arm in the first round and stick with their plan of grabbing position players. And that's exactly what Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter projects them to do, selecting Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron seventh overall.
"Despite a disappointing junior campaign relative to expectations, Lebron is still hitting .261/.382/.517 with 14 home runs, 40 RBI and 37 steals in 38 attempts through 53 games. The questions about the hit tool are real, but quality defensive shortstops with 60-power, 60-speed profiles are also a rare commodity."
Lebron has a tendency to chase pitches out of the zone, especially breaking balls. But, even with that, he has significant power to go along with an insane bat speed and the speed to be a problem on the basepaths.
He might not be as clear-cut a top pick like some others on the board, but if he can put it all together, he could be an excellent shortstop at the big-league level.
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