Kentucky’s Tyler Bell scores a run against Louisville at Jim Patterson Stadium. April 21, 2026
Baseball’s annual amateur draft has been moved to Saturday. Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about it.
When is the draft and where can I see it? For many years, the draft was held in early June, and in 2021, it was moved to coincide with the All-Star Game. The first round was held on Sunday night.
In order to avoid a conflict with the Home Run Derby, the draft has been moved to Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, rounds 1-4 will be conducted, and on Sunday, it’s rounds 5-20.
Saturday’s first 20 draft picks can be viewed from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on NBC/Peacock. Picks 11-40 can be viewed on MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+ from 2:30 p.m-4:30 p.m. and picks 41-135 can be seen from 4:30-7:45 p.m. on MLB.com, MLBTV or MLB+.
Sunday’s draft with rounds 5-20 can be seen on MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+ from 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
When do the Orioles pick? The Orioles have the seventh pick in the first round, their highest selection since Jackson Holliday was the first overall selection in 2022.
They don’t pick again until round 2 when they have the 46th selection. They traded the 33rd overall pick in Competitive Balance Round A to the Tampa Bay Rays in the deal that brought starter Shane Baz to the Orioles.
Competitive Balance Round picks are the only ones that can be traded.
The Orioles’ final first-day picks are in Rounds 3 (82) and 4 (110). They’ll have one pick each from rounds 5-20 on Sunday.
How much can the Orioles pay their draft picks? The Orioles have $13,114,000 to pay their entire draft class. The suggested amount to sign the first pick is $7,327,200. For the second round it’s $2,181,600 and $1,003,800 for the third round. The fourth round suggested slot is $711,800.
Players in the first 10 rounds have assigned value. If one of those picks doesn’t sign, their slot is deducted from the team’s pool.
Teams don’t have to strictly adhere to each suggested slot, but can’t exceed the total pool.
When and where will the Orioles’ draftees begin their career?
In recent years, the Orioles have assigned position players drafted out of college to Single-A Delmarva, which is the lowest level playing in August. Last year, some of their top position players appeared in about 20 games for the Shorebirds.
Though it’s not a rule, the Orioles have held out all pitchers and high school drafted position players from competition in the summer after they’re drafted.
Who are some players the Orioles could pick in the first round? There are three players who are listed as the top three in every mock draft: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey.
It will be a shock if any are around when the Orioles pick. Miami high school shortstop Jacob Lombard is also likely to be picked before the Orioles’ turn.
MLB.com’s Jim Callis and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel have the Orioles selecting Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress with their top pick.
The Athletic ranks Mississippi high school outfielder Eric Booth Jr. as the seventh-best prospect. CBS Sports also believes the Orioles will take Booth.
Sports Illustrated links the Orioles with LSU outfielder Derek Curiel.
FanGraphs.com, FanSided and Bleacher Report suggest Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell.
In a YouTube mock draft, Ben Badler of Baseball America leans toward Virginia outfielder A.J. Gracia.
Others who’ve been mentioned are Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron, Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick and South Carolina third baseman Bo Lowrance.
Will the Orioles consider a pitcher with the top pick? The Orioles haven’t taken a pitcher with a top 50 pick in the Mike Elias era, and few people believe they’ll break the pattern.
UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora and Florida high school left-hander Gio Rojas are the two top pitching prospects. Rojas attended Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, which also produced Orioles third baseman Coby Mayo.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com
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