Catonsville High pitcher Neal Davis said he?s has not decided whether hewill sign with the Orioles or go to school at the University of Virginia.
The Orioles selected Davis in the 39th round and believe they have a quality pitching prospect if they can convince him to turn pro now. Davis is currently playing for the Orioles summer scout team ? Youse?s Maryland Orioles ? and hopes to make a decision based on his performance this summer.
“I?m going to pitch this summer (for the Maryland Orioles) and then see what happens,” Davis said on Wednesday evening.
Davis said whether it?s now, or after going to college, he hopes to continue the recent tradition of Baltimore-area pitchers getting drafted and succeeding on the professional level. This includes 2005 Orioles draft picks Brandon Irbe (McDonogh) and Chorye Spoone (CCBC-Catonsville/Northeast HS), who made this year?s South Atlantic League All-Star Team as members of the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds.
“It was a great honor to get drafted this year, especially when you get selected by your hometown team,” Davis said.
In the meantime, Davis is content on improving his game while pitching against some of the region?s top college players with the Maryland Orioles, who play in the six-team Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The southpaw gave up five runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out five Wednesday for the Maryland Orioles. He didn?t factor in the decision in the Orioles? 10-9 win over the Maryland Redbirds at Bachman Park in Glen Burnie.
“Being a high school player, getting this kind of experience pitching against college players is invaluable,” Davis said.
Maryland Orioles manager Dean Albany, who is also a scout for the major league club, said the Orioles would not have drafted Davis if they didn?t think he could be a great major leaguer one day.
“We wouldn?t have drafted him if we didn?t want to sign him,” Albany said. “He has all the tools to be great.”
THE DAVIS FILE
Hometown: Catonsville
Position: Pitcher
Drafted: 39th round by the Orioles (1,165th overall)
Did you know? Davis went 7-2 with 112 strikeouts, 10 walks and a 0.44 ERA in 64.1 innings for Catonsville this past spring.
