Name: Jordan Westburg (click link for full 2019 scouting report)
Position: SS/3B/2B
Age as of 6/30/20: 21
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Current Grade: 30
Future Grade: 50
Ceiling Grade: 55
Most Likely Future Role: Everyday 3B
Ceiling: Occasional All-Star
Career Stats
Quick Scouting Report Update: The Orioles supplemental 1st round pick signed for $2,365,500 (slot).
Westburg is an interesting pick in that he’s never really put up the college numbers that a Elias/Sig college pick generally has put up. He’s a guy with a plus raw power grade who has never been able to take it onto the field, and that’s concerning a little bit. He’s also a fairly aggressive hitter who in several scouting videos was seen chasing sliders away and watching inside fastballs for strike three which could suggest some guessing.
Defensively, although scouting reports seem to indicate he has enough arm to stay at SS, the videos I watched did not show plus arm strength and at 6-3 and nearly 200 pounds right now, the question is whether he will outgrow SS and end up at 3B.
It actually appears his best profile in my limited looks could be a Jonathan Schoop like second baseman.
Elias and his staff have seen a ton more than me on this guy so I will hope their looks suggest he can stick at SS, or will hit for enough game power to play 3B.
I have concerns about his plate discipline and pitch recognition based on some limited video work. If he can stick at shortstop than I like this pick more, particularly if he’s going to be able to tap into his raw power more after some development.
Saying that, Elias and his scouts saw something in him to give him a significant signing bonus which suggests they see him as an everyday player on the dirt.
He gets the nod here at #8 due to his upside ceiling based off his signing bonus, but next season will give us a better indicator of his potential.
