With the draft now behind us it is time to take a look at how the Yankees prospects rank throughout the system. The injury cost him two weeks, but when he returned, he continued to show improvement from his early performance. “It makes you feel like you have a chance to be a part of something special. ET. Orioles get college shortstop Westburg at No. Westburg is ranked as the 37th best prospect by MLB.com, the 45th best by CBS Sports, and the 30th best by FanGraphs. Only two of the Orioles’ top 23 prospects per MLB Pipeline are middle infielders, and Westburg became even more attractive after the O’s passed on top-rated Austin Martin and Nick Gonzales to take Kjerstad. Go to MLB.com/Draft for complete coverage, including every pick on the Draft Tracker, coverage and analysis from MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, the complete order of selection and more. Westburg played 66 games in 2019 and put up these stats: .294/.402/.457. 30, also calling Westburg “somebody who could’ve gone a few picks earlier in the first round if things had shaken out a different way.”. Furthermore, he showed much better plate-discipline as he had 17 walks versus 16 strikeouts. He started 42 games as a freshman and put up the following numbers: .248/.319/.388. Foscue has been a more consistent hitter but Westburg has a higher ceiling and more defensive value. August 1. The No. Westburg hit 21 doubles, two triples, and six homers. After he failed to make the U.S. collegiate national team last summer, he settled down nicely in the Cape Cod League and was one of the circuit's more productive hitters. Joe Trezza covers the Orioles for MLB.com. The O’s took position players with their first eight picks in 2019; going with college bats with their first two picks this time could free them up to focus on pitching on Day 2. Aggression is the term that best describes Westburg’s game. If one thing is already clear about Mike Elias and company’s strategy from their first two Drafts at the helm of the Orioles, it’s their love for position players. “He’s a guy who has power, above average speed, who can throw,” Elias said. He's big for the position at 6-foot-3 and if he adds more strength to his frame, he could slow down and necessitate a move to third base. After he failed to make the U.S. collegiate national team last summer, he settled down nicely in the Cape Cod League and was one of the circuit's more productive hitters. “The things that he’s had to make adjustments on are areas that he’s needed to grow in, and he’s done a wonderful job.”. His game does come with some swing-and-miss issues and there are some questions about whether he grows out of playing shortstop eventually. It’s just a matter of it he learns better plate-discipline and can reduce his K-rate. Westburg’s upside wasn’t immediately apparent as he merely had a decent college debut. The MLB Network preview show begins at 4 p.m. They both entered Mississippi State as relatively unheralded recruits that have turned themselves into top draft prospects. Westburg would continue to improve in 2020. It allows me to be versatile on the field and play an explosive type of baseball,” Westburg said. As a senior in 2017, he batted .457 with four home runs and 22 RBIs, earning All-State honors. Instead of playing those games, Westburg worked on creating a more compact swing. Unforgettably, he couldn’t keep his momentum going as he endured a hamstring injury. In some ways, Jordan Westburg is very similar to his college teammate, Justin Foscue. A 6-foot-3, 191-pound native of New Braunfels, Texas, Westburg formed one of the nation’s top double play combinations with No. 2 pick valued at $7,789,900 and the 30th pick at $2,365,500 -- neither Kjerstad nor Westburg is expected to command more than slot value, and both could sign for less. Westburg was the first pick of Compensation Round A and will be counted by MSU as the 16th first-round MLB Draft choice in school history.