Orioles: More on No. 2 pick
Here's a little more info on the Orioles' No. 2 pick, pitcher/shortstop Mychal Givens from Tampa. The kid throws 97, but Orioles director of amateur scouting Joe Jordan said last night that the organization views him as a shortstop.
Givens led the Panthers of H.B. Plant High School to the Class 5A state tournament this spring, going 8-4 with a 1.71 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 78 IP. He also led the Panthers with a .374 average, four homers and 31 RBIs.
He entered the draft as the 46th-ranked overall prospect in the draft by Baseball America, that after being one of the nation’s top high school prospects the summer before his senior year. He was the MVP of the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field last summer
and he played in the Aflac All-American Game at Dodger Stadium. He was also awarded the 2008 Jackie Robinson Award, given to the top rising senior high school player in the country.
He slipped in the draft because apparently some were concerned with his ability to hit as a pro as well as his three-quarters arm slot, but Plant coach Dennis Braun said last week that Givens is the same prospects scouts fell in love with as a junior. He added that Givens
relied on his fastball -- which peaks at 97 -- instead of breaking balls.
"It's unfortunate because when you reach a certain level, everyone wants to break you down," Braun said. "One of the problems is that no one knows whether he's a shortstop of a pitcher. I guarantee that whoever takes him will have the most protected arm in the draft."
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Comments
You will be happy with this kid in a few years. Also, Gatorade National Player of the year?? They dont hand that honor out on the corner.
http://www.hsgametime.com/inlandsoutherncalifornia/schools/norco/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_web_hobgood_10.33ab5c5.html
Posted by: Brian | June 10, 2009 1:23 PM
It may be good that the organization views him as s shortstop, but does anyone know what it is the kid wants to be when he grows up?
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Pete's reply: I don't, but I suspect they've discussed it with him.
Posted by: punk flamingo | June 10, 2009 1:46 PM
Givens' delivery reminded me of Huston Street, but I guess that doesn't matter, since Givens was drafted as a shortstop.
Any info about his fielding ability?
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Pete's reply: Must be pretty good if they are willing to choose his glove over his 97 mph fastball.
Posted by: b | June 10, 2009 2:34 PM
Not saying anything more that what's about to be written ... Cal Ripken was signed as a pitcher.
Posted by: waspman | June 10, 2009 2:39 PM
Let's hope that the Orioles come to the same correct conclusion as they did with Cal Jr.Peter, do you detect a trend away from drafting the higher picks from the college ranks or is this a "special" draft class as mentioned by Joe Jordan?
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Pete's reply: I think it was the class. The Orioles like college players generally and have had more success with them, as has everybody else.
Posted by: Chuck in Edgewood | June 10, 2009 2:59 PM
You could see the Givens pick coming a week ago I just did not think he would be there for Jordan to take. I guess I can pat myself on the back for that call. It is absolutely great that they are going to try him out as a shortstop first. They think he can hit and we know he can play defense so we have another very young upside guy in the system.
Posted by: Mick | June 10, 2009 8:29 PM