With the 74th overall pick, the Orioles picked Ole Miss shortstop Anthony Servideo. That’s the fourth college bat in four picks for the O’s this draft.
Previous picks:
Here’s what MLB Pipeline had to say about Servideo:
Servideo played sparingly as a Mississippi freshman in 2018, then spent most of 2019 shuttling between right field and center field for the Rebels before posting the worst batting line (.149/.228/.277) in the Cape Cod League. He looked like a different player this spring, starting on Opening Day by singling, doubling and walking against Louisville left-hander Reid Detmers, a lock top-10-overall pick. He emerged as one of college baseball’s better shortstops, though scouts can only wonder how his .390/.575/.695 line would have held up in Southeastern Conference play.
Servideo plays a table-setting role, working counts to draw walks (his 24 in 17 games ranked second in NCAA Division I) and aggressively using his plus speed to create havoc once he reaches base. To remain at the top of the order at the next level, he’ll need to cut down his left-handed swing a bit and make more consistent contact. He’s not big and won’t be a slugger, but he displayed more pop as a junior, homering five times after going deep just four times in 100 previous contests.
While there still are mixed opinions on how much impact Servideo will have at the plate, there are no questions about his ability to play shortstop. His quickness and solid arm make him a better defender than Grae Kessinger, his predecessor as Mississippi’s shortstop and the Astros’ second-round pick last June. If he doesn’t hit enough to be a regular, he’d be capable of playing anywhere in the infield and outfield as a utility man.
It’s becoming quite clear that Mike Elias & Sig Mejdal are all-in on the college bats this year.
