International prospects are finally starting to make their way up the system for the Orioles, with the crown jewel being catcher Samuel Basallo, who is in Double-A as a 19-year-old.
The success of their international program will take on more importance now that the Orioles will be picking toward the back of the first round instead of piling up picks at the top of the draft.
This year the Orioles spread around their bonus pool space to sign a diverse collection of players largely focused on position prospects for their top bonuses.
The top bonus for the Orioles this year went to 17-year-old Dominican shortstop Emilio Sanchez, who signed for $1.3 million and is the brother of Heison Sanchez, a prominent infielder signing for the Tigers two years ago. Sanchez is 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, a lefthanded hitter with a chance for a balance of hitting ability and power.
Sanchez takes a quick, tight turn to get his barrel to the ball with adjustability to his swing to make frequent contact.
He will flash over-the-fence power to his pull side with the bat speed and body projection that suggests bigger power coming.
An average runner with a solid-average arm, Sanchez should get a chance to stick at shortstop, where some scouts think he can be a solid, steady defender, though his first-step quickness and range might nudge him elsewhere, with some scouts projecting him to play second or third base.
