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Three high-round Orioles draft picks live out a dream at Camden Yards - July 26, 2026 4:00 am - 0 Comments They kept rotating into the batting cage yesterday afternoon, three of the Orioles top four draft picks launching baseballs against Double-A Chesapeake fundamentals coach Ryan Goll.
Eric Booth Jr., the seventh-overall selection, and Ty Head, chosen in the second round, naturally took aim at anything beyond the flag court.
Its ingrained in left-handed hitters.
Kevin Roberts Jr., the fourth-rounder, was pulling pitches into the Bird Bath area in left field.
The power displays were impressive.
Booth reached the Purewager Pavilion below the scoreboard and kept peppering the last row of seats next to it.
Golls unofficial batting practice ERA went up a few points.
Its amazing just getting out here, Booth said.
This is my first time being out here.
Just to see how the ball flies, its amazing.
I was just going for Eutaw Street, said Head, the only college player in the group out of North Carolina State.
I mean, this stadiums just beautiful, and what a time that was.
Never been here before and couldnt be more grateful.
I have no words to explain it.
Its just so exciting.
The atmosphere the stadium brings.
Booth, who committed to Vanderbilt University, signed for $7,324,700 after batting .481 (37-for-77) with a .669 on-base percentage and .922 slugging percentage as a senior at Oak Grove High School in Mississippi.
Scouts raved about his 80-grade speed and Baseball America ranked him as the best outfielder in the draft.
A private workout pretty much sealed the decision to select Booth if he remained on the board.
Thats what I always hoped, he said.
I hoped Id end up coming here.
..
Id say the workout just felt like home.
Booth didnt take the mocks too seriously leading into the big day.
I didnt pay too much attention to that because when the draft comes, you never know whos gonna be picking, he said.
I just talk to the Lord and said, Wherever I go, thats gonna be the best place for me.
Head expects to report to Class A Delmarva on Aug.
10.
Its been a long time, but Im really excited to show them what Im made of, he said.
In the meantime, the trio got the star treatment yesterday with a tour of the ballpark, lockers set up in the clubhouse and introductions to manager Craig Albernaz, the coaches and players.
Their families stood on the field to watch them hit and pose for photos.
Head was a guest splasher Friday night.
I hope I did everything right, he said.
I was just spraying everybody in the face, everywhere.
I was just trying to hype them up.
Head batted .291/.460/.556 this season with eight doubles, 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, 57 walks, 23 strikeouts and 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts over 56 games.
He posted a .283 average and .928 OPS in 112 college games.
Going to the Orioles with the 46th-overall selection didnt come as much of a surprise to Head, a center fielder like Booth and Roberts.
It was exciting, he said.
I actually had a workout with Baltimore and I mean, I loved everybody.
I loved Will (Robertson).
I mean, everybody was just awesome and I couldnt be more happy.
Im ready to go.
The ball flies here.
I like that.
Short porch in right.
Its just been a great experience here.
Defense also is important to Head, to the point where he calls it his bread and butter.
I feel like thats what Im known for, he said.
I wish I could take some outfield out there, but thats what I feel like Im known for and I really love being out there.
Roberts, from Jackson Prep in Mississippi, had a commitment to the University of Florida and the Orioles signed him over slot at $1 million.
He also played basketball and ran track.
It was only one BP session, but the swings made it evident that he chose the right sport.
It wasnt pretty hard, he said of the decision.
I know my minds on baseball and thats really what I want to do.
It was awesome being able to get offers in basketball and track, but baseballs my thing.
Roberts is learning more about the Orioles.
Getting to know everybody, I mean, its an amazing organization, he said.
I just wanted somebody to give me an opportunity.
I was satisfied with anything.
The money didnt mean anything to me.
I just really want to play baseball and I got that opportunity.
The organization wants Roberts to put on more weight and fill out his frame he turns 18 on Monday and also tweak some things in my swing.
Just trying to keep my head still, he said.
Just simple things like that.
Just limiting as much movement as possible in my swing.
*The Orioles avoided extra innings last night, and another excruciating loss, when Dylan Beavers singled with two outs in the ninth to score Jackson Holliday for a 3-2 win over the Braves.
The narrow margin is noteworthy.
The Orioles improved to 9-16 in one-run games after entering the day tied with the Mets for the worst winning percentage.
*Christian Encarnacion-Strand is the first Oriole with nine RBIs through his first six career games with the team.
Who held the record before he arrived last week? Ramon Hernandez (2006) and Rafael Palmeiro (1994) share the record of eight.
*Easy to overlook in Friday nights loss was Tyler ONeills pinch-hit leadoff single in the 10th inning.
He lined a 1-2 slider from Dylan Lee into center field and scored with two outs on Encarnacion-Strands homer.
ONeills hitting streak reached six games.
He was 7-for-16 to raise his average from .191 to .214 and his on-base percentage to .302, the highest since May 17.
It wasnt just the streak.
ONeill began last night batting .355/.394/.806 (11-for-31) with two doubles, four home runs and eight RBIs in 13 games this month.
All good things must come to an end, or at least be paused.
ONeill went 0-for-4 with a double play and two strikeouts.
*More noticeable on Friday was Trevor Rogers latest dominant start, when he allowed two runs over seven innings.
Six were scoreless.
Rogers has posted a 1.80 ERA in his last nine starts to carry him back to 2025, when he was named Most Valuable Oriole and finished ninth in American League Cy Young voting.
His 18 whiffs against the Braves were his most since 2022.
But most impressive were the 72 strikes among his 88 pitches.
A career-high 81.8 percent strike rate was the highest by any Orioles pitcher in a minimum 50 pitches in the pitch-tracking era that began in 2008.
Albernaz paired Rogers with catcher Chadwick Tromp, since Samuel Basallo is on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Its special, Tromp said.
We all know what kind of qualities that he has as a starting pitcher.
Obviously, leading the staff right now.
Just like riding a bike for him.
I think its impressive what he does, but Im not surprised by it.
Ive said it a lot, and Ill say it again, Im being really consistent right now and thats probably what Im most happy about, Rogers said.
I know if I go out there and do my job well, I give my team a chance to win.
Thats about all I care about.
Albernaz removed Rogers after 88 pitches.
Asked afterward whether Rogers lobbied to stay in the game, Albernaz replied, All our guys lobby to stay in.
To Rogers credit, he stood at his locker and backed Albernazs decision.
I think those last two hitters, I kind of gave it all I had, Rogers said, so that was gonna be it for me right there.
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