LSU starting pitcher Kevin Gausman is projected to be taken by the Baltimore Orioles with the fourth overall pick in the latest mock draft by Baseball America. The full slate of projected selections requires a subscription, but here's what BA had to say about Gausman and Baltimore:
Baltimore seems to be leaning more towards arms than bats, especially if Buxton is gone, so that would leave it looking at Gausman and [Kyle] Zimmer. Gausman had a strong start at the Southeastern Conference tournament this week, while Zimmer will try to put hamstring woes and fluctuating velocity behind him in his final outing of the season tonight. Don't rule out [Carlos] Correa or [Albert] Almora here.
A draft-eligible sophomore, Gausman has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the nation. Back in 2010, he was drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round, but he turned down a major signing bonus to go to college. Dominating the SEC has only helped his stock, though, as he's posted a 2.86 ERA with 118 strikeouts and just 23 walks over 100.2 innings this year.
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