O?s draft pick to start in Single-A

Beato, the 32nd player taken overall in this month?s amateur draft, was expected to join the Ironbirds on Friday for the home opener of their New York-Penn League short season Single-A schedule. Beato?s contact calls for a $1 million signing bonus.

“I?m happy to get Pedro off the board and get him ready to play for the Orioles,” said Joe Jordan, the Director of Scouting for the Orioles.

The 6-foot-5 Beato, a right-handed pitcher, showed up this week at Camden Yards, and those within the Orioles organization are excited about his potential. Beato?s pitching arsenal includes a slider, curveball, changeup and a fastball that reaches the mid-90s.

Orioles Director of Player Development David Stockstill said he projects the New York native to be a starting pitcher.

“All reports on him look good,” Stockstill said. “He?s got a live arm and throws well. I want to get him into the fold and expect him to start for Aberdeen in the next week or so.”

Beato joins Aberdeen after going 6-3 with a 2.75 ERA, 80 strikeouts and 23 walks in 78.2 innings with St. Petersburg (Fla.) Community College. He is also two years removed from Tommy John surgery, which he had during his junior year in high school.

Beato?s selection is considered a steal by a number of draft observers, with Baseball America listing him as the 13th-best prospect in its annual draft preview. The New York Mets originally drafted Beato in the 17th round last year out of Xaverian High School in Brooklyn. However, he opted not to sign with New York in order to improve his draft status this year.

Beato said he is glad to get the contract signing behind him and is ready to start his professional career as a member of the Orioles organization.

BEATO NOTES

» The Orioles obtained the draft pick they used on Beato as compensation for losing closer B.J. Ryan, who signed as a free agent with Toronto in the off season.

» Beato showed off his speed earlier this year by running the 60-yard dash in 6.7 seconds.