With their 3rd round pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, the O’s selected Florida International First-baseman Tyler Townsend.
Townsend had an .858 Slugging % this year, with 24 homers, and 16 doubles in 212 at-bats.
http://www.fiusports.com/fls/11700/Stats_Cumulative/Bball/2009/teamcume.htm
http://www.fiusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=49061&SPID=4760&DB_OEM_ID=11700&ATCLID=751251&Q_SEASON=2008
Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/colleges/fiu/story/1047184.html
Intellisport
http://intellisport.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/tyler-townsend/
“
Power – + Potential, solid strong stroke and good stride/ transfer ( 20 – 30 Home Runs )
Contact – Good but drops his hands which will lead to K’s and pop ups ( .270 – .290 )
Speed – Average, will not help you on the bases but will not hurt you either
Arm – Average
Defense – Limited range limits him to first base and right field, must improve to add left field to repertoire
Can mash the ball middle in and has big time power potential. Soft stride, good turn and hip flexion will allow his swing to create home run/ double power even with wood. He drops his hands slightly as the ball travels to home, that will lead to K’s and pop ups at the next level and must be altered if he is to live up to his Todd Helton like potential. His speed is negligible and his defense is lackluster but he can be plugged into right field without harming the defensive output. He could also play first base on a weak defensive team or left field on a slow one. He would be a 5 or 6 hole hitter on a Major Leage team.”
MASN
http://masnsports.com/2009/06/jordan-talks-about-the-next-tw.html
Townsend was primarily an outfield this year at Florida International, but the Orioles also like him at first base.
“He needs to do all that,” Jordan said. “It’s his bat we liked. A left-handed bat, a lot of bat speed and he’s got leverage. He’s got real power. And he’s a Delaware kid.
“At our workout the other day, he said he wanted be an Oriole more than any other club. He’s a good story. He and (Matt) Hobgood are thrilled to be coming.”
Townsend will report to Aberdeen and let the Orioles decide where he should go from there.
“It’s a good spot for him,” Jordan said. “If he gets going and we want to send him somewhere else this summer, that’s fine.”
The Orioles targeted a high school shortstop or catcher in the second round. They wanted a left-handed power bat in the third.
“It’s a good start,” Jordan said.
The player I immediately think of as a compairson is Reimold, though it sounds like Reimold is a better athlete.
What I like most about the first three rounds of this draft, is it is clear to me that Jordan got the players that him and his staff identifed, and wanted. You have to be excited about that.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.