A glimpse back at the 08-04 first round picks!

The draft is approaching and all talk is around 3 players. Those three players are Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Jameson Taillon all three expect to be gone within the first 3 picks with Harper going number 1 to the Nationals. The Orioles select third and will choose what ever player out of the other two are left. So I decided to take a look at the first round picks of the O's for the 5 drafts prior to last year as many of the players have not made it to the big leagues from last years draft.

2008 Draft: Brian Matusz
Outlook: Brian Matusz has the making to be a very solid pitcher and has showed in spurts that he can pitch at the major league level. The problem with him is he has been inconsistent in his starts but still has great command. My outlook he will be a top of rotation starter more likely a solid number 2 starter.
Players we could have drafted: Gordon Beckham & Justin Smoak
My Pick: Justin Smoak as the team was looking for a power bat and needed young corner infielder to go along with Nick Markakis, Adam Jones & Matt Wieters. Matusz adds to our pitching depth but either of these picks would have helped round out are infield this year as the O's needed a shortstop and first baseman.
Win Or Loss: Undecided

2007 Draft: Matt Wieters
Outlook: Matt Wieters still has a learning curve in the majors but is a solid catcher who will only get better as the Orioles eventually get better. So far with out the Orioles having that one big bat the young stars over trying to hard to succeed. He will develop into a great star in the coming seasons.
Players we could have drafted: Jason Heyward, Ricky Porcello & Ross Detwiler
My Pick: Matt Wieters would have been my pick also as you can build a team a around a great catcher take a look at the Twins.
Win Or Loss: Undecided

2006 Draft: Bill Rowell & Pedro Beato
Outlook: Bill Rowell has yet to shown he can make it up through the organization and the team has moved in different directions with Josh Bell & Brandon Snyder. Pedro Beato who? As of now we haven't heard much of him.
Players we could have drafted: Tim Lincecum, Ian Kennedy & Max Scherzer
My Pick: Tim Lincecum as the hype surrounding him was much higher than Bill Rowell and if we had the front office we do now that pick might have happened.
Win Or Loss: Loss

2005 Draft: Brandon Snyder & Garrett Olson
Outlook: Brandon Snyder drafted as catcher but after injuries he moved to first base. A solid season last year had high hopes of him joining the big club this season. He could be a solid first baseman but still needs to prove it in the majors. Garrett Olson showed promise in a few starts but after a few season we traded him away.
Players we could have drafted: Cliff Pennington, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Garza, Colby Rasmus & Joey Devine.
My Pick: Than would have been Snyder but now no sense Matt Garza.
Win Or Loss: Loss at this point

2004 Draft: Wade Townsend
Outlook: Wade had a huge upside as a starter but never developed.
Players we could have drafted: Jered Weaver, Stephen Drew, Phil Hughes, Blake Dewitt
My Pick: Stephen Drew
Win Or Loss: Loss

Though we did get Matt Wieters & Brian Matusz we could have a roster that looked like this:

1. Brian Roberts 2b-(when he returns)
2. Stephen Drew SS
3. Nick Markakis RF
4. Justin Smoak 1b
5. Matt Wieters C
6. Miguel Tejada 3b
7. Adam Jones CF
8. Ty Wigginton DH
9. Felix Pie Lf-(when he returns)

Start Rotation:

1. Tim Lincecum
2. Kevin Millwood
3. Matt Garza
4. Jeremy Guthrie
5. Brad Bergesen

Only if drafts went a little different!