Many Baltimore fans either don’t have fond memories of the 2009 MLB Draft, or else have chosen to block it from said memories altogether. Why? Well, that was the year the Orioles selected pitcher Matt Hobgood with the fifth pick of the first round.
Hobgood was drafted out of high school and figured to be a cheap signing, which is why Baltimore ultimately selected him. However, Hobgood struggled all through the minors and, at 24, is still trying to make his way into the majors.
The 2009 MLB Draft looked to be a failure for the Orioles for awhile, but pitcher Mychal Givens is looking to help break that mold.
Baltimore selected Givens with their second pick of the draft and he was originally drafted as a shortstop. He spent a few years in the minors trying to make his way through the system, but struggled to hit and the selection of Manny Machado the next year didn’t help his cause.
Givens decided to give up hitting and wanted to make the switch to pitching in 2013. The Orioles stuck him in Single-A Delmarva in his first season and the right-hander posted a 4.22 ERA in 42.2 innings.
He showed improvement in 2014 between Frederick and Bowie, putting up a combined 3.53 ERA in 58.2 innings. Givens also struck out 55 batters and showed the ability to be powerful arm out of the bullpen.
Givens is off to hot start this season in Bowie, as he’s struck out seven batters in just 3.2 innings. The right-hander hasn’t allowed any walks or runs either.
Givens has moved up to the No. 16 prospect in Baltimore’s farm system, according to MLB.com.
The Orioles hope Givens can make it to Baltimore as they haven’t had anyone from the 2009 Draft Class make the big-league team yet.
Outside of Givens, pitcher Tim Berry is the only other member of that draft class with any realistic hope of making it to the bigs any time soon. Berry was Baltimore’s last pick in 2009 and is ranked the No. 6 prospect in Baltimore’s farm system, according to MLB.com.
The story of 2009 Draft shows how hard it is for MLB teams to just talent and see who will actually pan out. Some of the names drafted after Hobgood were pitchers Zack Wheeler, Mike Leake, Drew Storen and Shelby Miller. The most notable name drafted in the first round after Hobgood was an outfielder from Millville Senior High School: Mike Trout.
Givens likely won’t be up in the majors until next season but it’s exciting to see a prospect switch positions and still have a shot to make it. It’s even more exciting when he’s from a draft class that just didn’t pan out overall.
