Why didn’t Orioles pick left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas in draft? | MAILBAG

Question: Why do you think the O’s did not select left-handed high school pitcher Gio Rojas?  We have a glut of outfielders. From: Sandra Freund 

Answer: Sandra, the Orioles don’t draft pitchers in the first round, and that’s something I’ve been critical of them for. When they draft pitchers, they draft college pitchers, not high school pitchers. Gio Rojas was taken 16^th by Texas.

Eric Booth Jr. was considered one of the top players in the draft, and the Orioles were happy he fell to them. They don’t have a glut of quality outfielders. In 2023, they drafted Enrique Bradfield Jr., and in 2024, they drafted Vance Honeycutt, both outfielders. Last year, they drafted Ike Irish, who has been playing the outfield at Frederick.

Bradfield has often been hurt. Honeycutt is hitting under .200 and strikes out far too often, and Irish is still a few years away from the Orioles. Nate George, their top outfield prospect, has missed most of this season due to illness.

If Booth is the prospect that much of baseball, not just the Orioles, thinks he is, they could have a really good centerfielder, and I think they’ve made a fine choice.

Question: Am I the only one who sees Jeremiah Jackson outplaying most everyone on our team? However, he gets sent back to the minors, doesn’t start, etc., all I see is a player that produces.

I want our potential stars (high picks) to be successful like everyone else.  However, if they are not producing, take a seat, and play the guy who is producing. Yes, I know we all have slumps and need time to work through it, but find a spot in the line up for a producer. From: Tony McLean

Answer: Tony, I was surprised that Jeremiah Jackson was sent to Norfolk, but he did have an option, and the Orioles wanted a third catcher for a few days because they wanted to make sure Adley Rutschman was fully recovered from his concussion.

Jackson was only with Norfolk for a few days, and he had that big double in Thursday’s win as well as a key pinch hit in Sunday’s win.

He’s a legitimate major league player, but he’s hardly outplaying most of the other Orioles. His on-base percentage is just .269, which is one of the lowest on the team. He’s walked only four times and struck out 42 times, not a good ratio.

Jackson is a valuable Oriole, and his playing time will increase with Blaze Alexander’s injury. He’ll get an opportunity to show that he’s as valuable as you and some other fans think he is.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.