Three years ago, the Orioles headed into draft season on the heels of a 2014 division title. The 2015 season was already clearly lacking the je ne sais quoi of the 2014 team. Thanks to their previous success, the top of the draft impact talent was not going to be available to them. The Orioles did not select in this draft until 25th overall.
Working in the Orioles favor was a couple of things that would result in their receiving extra chances to add talent to their system. The excellent 2014 performance of Nelson Cruz coupled with his declining a qualifying offer and departing as a free agent netted a compensation pick at the end of the first round.