Orioles select MVP candidate over Adley Rutschman in 2019 MLB re-draft

In all likelihood, the Baltimore Orioles do not regret taking catcher Adley Rutschman with the first overall pick in the draft in 2019. 

The switch hitter was an absolute stud coming out of Oregon State, and the Orioles liked the fit. 

But the player selected No. 2 overall in that year's draft has become an annual MVP candidate in the American League.

Thus far, the infielder has been way more consistent than Rutschman, and his production level on both sides of the ball is off the charts. 

"That said, given the opportunity to pivot to a bona fide superstar in Bobby Witt Jr. is too good an opportunity to pass up, even if he represents only a marginal upgrade over [Gunnar] Henderson as the starting shortstop," wrote Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter. 

Who's to say if both Henderson and Witt would be with the organization to this day? They are natural shortstops who had tons of trade value as prospects. 

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"Rutschman debuted with a 5.4-WAR rookie season in 2022 and looked like a perennial All-Star on the rise, but his WAR has declined in each of the three years since, and he has settled in as more of a second-tier backstop," Reuter added. 

Witt is a superstar with the Kansas City Royals. Though Rutschman hasn't exactly lived up to the hype in recent seasons, the Orioles were justified in taking him first overall. 

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