The Orioles have accomplished plenty with their drafted hitters in the nearly seven years since Mike Elias took over baseball operations, particularly in the early rounds.
But if there’s one gap left to fill, it’s the late-round pick who becomes a star.
Drafted in the 16th-round in 2024 out of high school in Minooka, Ill., George has burst onto the scene in his pro debut, demonstrating all the traits that led the Orioles to go over slot to sign him for $455,000.
“We’re seeing power, speed and contact,” Orioles farm director Anthony Villa said. “It’s really impressive. He’s putting the ball in play hard, and with his speed, he’s taking extra bases. Once he’s on base, he’s stealing.
“He is still very young and is being challenged at the plate to carry out a selective approach and he’s continuing to learn the strike zone. But those exciting aspects, those raw ingredients, they’ve been showing up.”
George began his year in the Florida Complex League, where he put up a 1.006 OPS with 13 stolen bases. That earned him a promotion to Low-A Delmarva on June 10.
In the Carolina League, he batted .333/.383/.514 with a home run and 19 steals in 28 games. He also compiled seven doubles and five triples.
The Orioles began seeing signs of this kind of breakout in spring training, Villa said.
After George signed last summer, the Orioles recognized his athleticism and swing meant “there’s some raw ingredients you can dream on.” But in spring training games, George stood out.
“You saw not only the raw ingredients you can dream on, but you saw him put it together as he competed in games—and competed in games with the old kids, too,” Villa said.
“He’d go and play in a High-A game, go play in a Double-A game. And he was playing extremely well—taking pro at-bats, playing incredible defense, and you start to look at him and go wow, this kid is playing beyond his years.”