The Draft

On Monday, the Orioles drafted Manny Machado - a high schooler from Florida in the 2010 First Year Player Draft.

The organization looked at drafting a pitcher (right-hander and high-schooler) Jameson Taillon, plus catcher Bryce Harper; however, Harper went first to Washington and Taillon was snatched up by Pittsburgh.

From the Baltimore Sun: When Harper went to the Washington Nationals with the first pick in Monday's first-year player draft and the Pittsburgh Pirates followed by selecting Taillon, Jordan and his crew didn't hesitate to snag Machado, who was considered the best prep hitter available.

"We felt, knowing what was going to happen in front of us, that he was going to be our guy. Today has been very easy for me, to be honest," Jordan said. "I knew I was going to get a good player when I went to bed [Sunday] night. It's been a good day, and I am just very excited for this kid and his family."

Machado, who hit .639 with 12 homers and 68 RBIs in 29 games for Brito Miami Private, becomes the highest Orioles draft pick since LSU's Ben McDonald was taken first overall in 1989.

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