May 31, 2025; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC pitcher Caden Hunter (22) takes questions from the media after a game against Saint Mary's at the NCAA Corvallis Regional at Goss Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
After taking seven players, six of whom played collegiately, on Day 1 of the Major League Baseball draft, the Orioles began Day 2 by selecting shortstops with their first two picks but took 11 pitchers among their next selections.
Colin Yeaman, from Cal-Irvine, was the fourth-round pick, and Jaiden Lo Re, from Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona, was chosen in the fifth round.
Yeaman, a 21-year-old right-handed hitter, batted .336 with a 1.038 OPS, 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 60 games. Lo Re has committed to Brigham Young.
Left-handed pitcher Caden Hunter, from USC, was the sixth-round pick. He was 6-6 with a 5.50 ERA in 16 games, 14 starts. He struck out 79 and walked 36 in 70 1/3 innings.
In the seventh round, the Orioles picked right-hander Hunter Allen from Ashland University. He was 7-1 with a 3.96 ERA in 12 starts. He had one shutout. In 61 1/3 innings, Allen struck out 84, walked 37 and allowed three home runs.
The Orioles picked Australian left-hander Kailen Hamson, who attended the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, in the eighth round. He was 11-1 with a 2.72 ERA in 14 starts. He struck out 127 batters, walked 30 and gave up four home runs in 82 2/3 innings.
Outfielder Cam Lee, from Mineral Area Junior College in Park Hills, Missouri, was taken in the ninth round. He hit .444 with a 1.298 OPS, 13 home runs and 46 RBIs this season.
Right-hander Dalton Neuschwander, from the University of West Florida, was taken in the 10th round. In 15 games, 12 starts, Neuschwander was 9-4 with a 2.42 ERA and a save. In 81 2/3 innings, he struck out 80, walked 14 and gave up three home runs.
Left-handed pitcher Holden deJong, who made six starts for the New Jersey Institute of Technology before suffering a season-ending injury, was the 11th-round pick. He struck out 31 and walked 17 in 29 innings.
Right-hander Daniel Lopez, from Texas’ Odessa Junior College, who was 6-2 with a 4.89 ERA and a shutout and save, was the 12th-round choice. He struck out 61 and walked 38 in 49 2/3 innings.
The Orioles selected their first second baseman of the draft, left-handed hitting Brayden Smith, from Oklahoma State, in the 13th round. Smith hit .304 this season with a .936 OPS, 11 home runs and 40 RBIs. He stole eight bases in nine attempts.
Mexican-born right-hander Brayan Orrantia, who attended New Mexico Junior College, was the 14th-round pick.
Right-hander KK Clark, from Mississippi’s Pearl River Community College, was the 15th-round pick. He was 12-2 with a 1.84 ERA, 116 strikeouts and 22 walks in 88 innings pitched this season.
Another junior college right-hander, Denton Biller, of Kansas’ Johnson County Community College, was the 16th-round choice. He was 10-0 with 4.20 ERA this season.
In the 17th round, the Orioles chose left-handed reliever Braedan Sloan, from TCU. He was 3-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 17 games. He struck out 76 and walked 28 in 58 2/3 innings.
Left-handed hitting outfielder Cole Johnson, from Georgia’s Oconee County High School, who has committed to the University of Georgia, was the 18th-round pick.
Jimmy Anderson, an infielder from Illinois’ Heartland Community College, was the 19th-round pick. He hit .439 with 10 home runs and 63 RBIs this season.
With their 20th-round pick, the Orioles took another pitcher, left-hander Connor Gehr, from Mississippi’s Meridian Community College. He was 8-2 this year with a 2.31 ERA in 12 games, seven starts. He struck out 83 and walked 25 in 62 1/3 innings
Note: Catcher David Bañuelos has cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk after Sunday’s game. The Orioles’ 40-man roster is at 38 players.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I answer Orioles questions. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.
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