One year ago, the Orioles were the team that shook up the top of the draft by going against the expectation in picking Heston Kjerstad. The 2021 draft didn’t get past the #1 overall pick without a surprise, as the Pirates took Louisville catcher Henry Davis, who was believed to have interested the Orioles, with the top pick.
This set in motion a series of picks that gave the Orioles a chance to get their favorite of three of the “big four” high school shortstops from pre-draft hype: Kahlil Watson, Brady House, and Jordan Lawlar. They swerved again, however, going with Sam Houston State outfielder Colton Cowser.