Why would the Orioles draft Bumbry in the 12th round? I understand the history with his father but his numbers don't come close to a 12th round pick.

At Tech a three year average of 273. 17 homeruns in three years. In his three years he strikes out once in every 2.7 at bats. Not a smart pick in my mind. Hopefully he stays at tech and gets more experience. I don't think he is ready with those numbers in college.

Not surprising -- they picked Hoes in the third round for $495,000 signing bonus and he is now hitting below 250 and leads the team with 12 errors.

Both players played summer ball with the Orioles under-20 team, Youse's Orioles, which plays in the Cal Ripken Senior League. That probably gives the team a closer look at the players.

Hasn't LJ been moved from center to second? I imagine that would be a tough transition.

LHPMom

I guess its a lot of tradition/history/organizational loyalty involved in his draft position. The stats certainly do not back up the draft slot. If I am not mistaken you can add that Bumbry hit .196 in 2007 and was approximately .186 in 2008 in the wood bat Cal Ripken Senior league last year. Hardly, An indication of success at the minor league level in the future and justifying a pick in the 12th round.
Who knows some kids develop late!!!

In addition another "local" player, Gary Helmick of Towson, He moved from 2nd to SS and had an outstanding season and was named 3rd team All-American but has yet to be drafted??

His stats:
AVG .430
Games 53-53

AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP K SB-SBA
228 72 98 12 9 17 51 32 6 23 15-18

Sometimes things are hard to explain!!! If anyone warranted a "local" draft selection it would be Gary. Here is hoping he gets a chance to show his omission was a mistake and signs with on of the MLB clubs!

Folks,

If the draft were about "stats", I would have been drafted in the 10th round back in 1984 based on the numbers I put up my senior year in high school.

The draft is about potential. For example, Tim Hamulack (Harford County) was a big, strong guy who had mediocre numbers in high school as a hitter and pitcher. I asked the Astros territorial guy to come take a look, cause I figured if Tim got any kinda coaching whatsoever, he could really turn into a solid player with major league potential. He threw 86-87 with terrible mechanics, could hit the baseball 400 ft with a big loopy swing. He failed alot more than not in high school ball.

The scouts came in to see him and loved him. That was back in 1997. Tim is enjoying his 12th year of professional baseball, and has been in the majors three different times for three different teams.

Someone sees potential in these guys and pulls the trigger. Every club does it.

As for Gary at Towson, he was a terrific college hitter, and will no doubt be a senior sign after the draft (unless he is taken in the later rounds). I don't, however, envision him in a major league uniform one day. What position is he going to play?

Not saying he could not turn into something else. But not worth a 12th round pick in my mind. The history of his father defineitly played a part. Not a good move on the Orioles part that early in the draft.

Many clubs look at picks in the 10->??? whatever rounds as a gamble anyway.

The whole draft is a crapshoot. Piazza was one of the last guys selected and it was a favor to his father. He will only be a first ballot Hall of Famer.