Frederick’s RJ Austin’s calling card is versatility

RJ Austin is trying to prove how valuable he can be to the Orioles. Austin, who was chosen in the third round of last year’s draft, has already played five different positions for High-A Frederick — second and third base and each of the three outfield spots.

This, despite suffering a left hamstring injury that cost him a month of the season. Early in the season, an automobile accident that he describes as “super scary” also cost him some time.

“Mentally, I’m just showing up every day,” he said before a Keys game at NYMEO Field at Harry Grove Stadium in April, two days before his hamstring injury. “Being myself and working hard to get my body right. I had some stuff going on that many people don’t know about. I don’t use that as an excuse. I just go out there every day.”

So far, the 22-year-old is batting .238 with two home runs and eight RBIs for High-A Frederick. Austin has stolen five bases without being thrown out.

“I know by the time I look at the scoreboard, my stats at the end of the year, I’m going to be happy with what I did,” Austin said. “I’m not really worried about it

Austin has played only 38 professional games. He joined other Oriole draft choices with Single-A Delmarva late in the Shorebirds’ season and hit .263 with four RBIs in 18 games.

The Orioles like their prospects to play multiple positions, and versatility is vital to his chances of making it to the major leagues.

“It’s huge,” Austin said. “That’s how I stay in the lineup. I can play wherever on the field. It’s one of those things where I could be out there helping guys, helping the team win, wherever [manager Collin] Woody needs me, wherever the team needs me, that’s where I’m going to be. He can write me in the lineup and not worry about who has to play where.”

Austin, an Atlanta native, played for one of the great programs in college baseball, Vanderbilt, under coach Tim Corbin. The Commodores were in the NCAA tournament each of Austin’s three years.

“Vanderbilt is a place where you go out there play every day,” Austin siad. “He had a lot of big leaguers go through there.”

In his three seasons, Austin hit .283 with a .784 OPS. He stole 54 bases in 67 attempts. He played mostly first base, a position he hasn’t played professionally, but he played everywhere.

“I was all over the field,” he saie.

Some prospects would want to specialize in one position, but Austin learned quickly how important it was to be a multi-positional.

“I was always the guy wherever the team needed me to win,” he said. “That’s where I wanted to be. I really take pride in that, and college really set me up to be able to do that.”

Another Vanderbilt player, outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., was the Orioles’ No. 1 draft pick in 2023. He was a junior when Austin was a sophomore.

“He’s always been a great player, a great mentor for me,” Austin said. “When I got there, he knew how to work the SEC. He taught me a couple of things. He just plays the same game. He goes out and plays every game like it’s his last. Playing with him, it’s been a blessing to be a part of.

“Coming to the same org, talking to him and seeing him do great things, a lot of excitement, not only for us, but for the whole Vanderbilt community.”

Austin believes his most important strength is his resiliency.

“Don’t really back down from any competition,” he said. “Do whatever the team needs…I’m just an athlete. I play anywhere. You can stick me anywhere in the lineup. I’ll be there. [I’m[ fast. I can hit, make a lot of contact, steal a lot of bases. Take away a lot of hits, pretty much a gamer. That’s what I consider myself.”

Note: Jaiden Lo Re, the Orioles’ fifth-round pick in 2025, has been promoted from the Florida Complex League Orioles to Single-A Delmarva. Lo Re, who’s played second base, third base, shortstop and center field this season, hit .323 with a home run and 12 RBIs and a .792 OPS in 19 games for the FCL Orioles. He’s stolen seven bases in eight attempts.

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