Arms galore were available at Pick 39. Instead, the Orioles yet again zagged, nabbing college outfielder Hudson Haskin. Haskin has a wonky swing, but the tools are there to be a solid pro.
Here’s what MLB Pipeline has to say about him:
Avon (Conn.) Old Farms School produced an athletic center fielder in 2008 who went on to become a first-round pick after three years in college and an eventual star with the Astros — George Springer. A decade later, the Beavers spawned another toolsy center fielder who should go early in the 2020 Draft as a sophomore-eligible. A 39th-round pick by the Athletics in 2018, Haskin batted .372/.459/.647 as a Tulane freshman and helped his cause by performing well with wood bats in the New England Collegiate Baseball League during the summer.
Though Haskin’s right-handed swing can get long at times, he still manages to barrel the ball consistently. His stroke is quick and has a nice loft, and once he fills out his lean 6-foot-2 frame he could produce 20 or more homers annually. He manages the strike zone well, though his ability to make contact with ease does cut into his walks.
Haskin’s speed grades as at least plus. Though he broke Springer’s stolen base record at Avon Old Farms, he hasn’t been especially aggressive on the bases in college. He tracks balls well in center field, showing good instincts and an average arm.
The Orioles have yet to select a High School player, meaning that the coveted ‘overslot’ guy may still be out there and if someone like Jared Kelley or Blaze Jordan continues to fall, look for them in the later rounds.
