Orioles Director of Scouting Joe Jordan has said repeatedly that the team would use their first pick in this year?s amateur draft to select the best player available and not to fill a need within the organization.
Bill Rowell may accomplish both of those goals.
The Orioles made the senior third baseman from Bishop Eustace Prep (N.J.) the No. 9 overall selection Tuesday. The selection marks the first time the Orioles have taken a high school infielder with their first pick since Robert Bruce in 1978. Five of the team?s previous seven top picks have been pitchers.
Rowell is a left-handed power hitter who had a career .505 average, 34 homers and 157 RBI in 103 games through this weekend. He also showed his speed this year by stealing 22 bases in 23 attempts. In addition, he has an above-average arm and could eventually be a corner outfielder.
“He?s a hitter first,” Jordan said. “He?s a tremendous a talent who has the tools, is an athlete and a baseball player.”
Jordan added that selecting Rowell helped toward filling a void within the organization as it looks to develop more quality infield prospects.
“Usually you look to fill a need deeper in the draft,” he said.
Rowell got the word on being drafted less than one hour before his south Jersey finals game on Tuesday afternoon in Overbrook, N.J.
“My mom got the call, and she told me,” Rowell told The Examiner on Tuesday, a few minutes before the game.
The Orioles have been high on the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Rowell for a while and he looked impressive in a workout last week at Camden Yards.
“It is a power hitter?s park,” said Rowell, who was slated to graduate Tuesday.
Said Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo: “I saw the No. 1 pick in a workout. Big kid, left-handed hitter, good power. I mean, 17-years-old, can reach the seats easily. Looks like a pretty good player.”
THE ROWELL FILE
Hometown: Sewell, N.J.
School: Bishop Eustace Prep
Position: 3B/SS
Did you know? Given little to hit this year, Rowell was batting .557 with a .660 on-base percentage through this weekend … Rowell hit 14 homers with 62 RBI as a junior … Rowell represents the second straight time the Orioles have taken a position player with their top pick. Catcher Brandon Snyder was taken 13th overall in 2005 out of Westfield High School in Northern Virginia.
Staff writers David Driver and Matt Palmer contributed to this story.
