SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — Pitchers took a backseat at the Major League Baseball draft.On a night when a record 22 position players and nine shortstops were chosen in the first round, the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles went for a cornerstone at catcher, selecting Oregon State switch-hitter Adley Rutschman with the top pick Monday.Rutschman became the first catcher to go No. 1 since Minnesota tabbed Joe Mauer in 2001."He's everything you want and he plays a premium defensive position with athleticism that gives him versatility to play elsewhere, as needed," first-year Baltimore general manager Mike Elias said in a video statement posted on the team's Twitter account . "A future fixture for this organization."The only other time the Orioles led off the draft they took LSU pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989.The 21-year-old Rutschman had been the favorite to go first overall since he led the Beavers to the College World Series championship last year and was selected the most outstanding player.He followed... [More]

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — Pitchers took a backseat at the Major League Baseball draft.On a night when a record 22 position players and nine shortstops were chosen in the first round, the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles went for a cornerstone at catcher, selecting Oregon State switch-hitter Adley Rutschman with the top pick Monday.Rutschman became the first catcher to go No. 1 since Minnesota tabbed Joe Mauer in 2001."He's everything you want and he plays a premium defensive position with athleticism that gives him versatility to play elsewhere, as needed," first-year Baltimore general manager Mike Elias said in a video statement posted on the team's Twitter account. "A future fixture for this organization."The only other time the Orioles led off the draft they took LSU pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989.The 21-year-old Rutschman had been the favorite to go first overall since he led the Beavers to the College World Series championship last year and was selected the most outstanding player.He followed... [More]

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — Adley Rutschman heard the chatter for months that he'd be the No. 1 pick in the Major League Baseball draft.The switch-hitting Oregon State catcher just kept slugging at the plate and throwing out would-be basestealers all season from behind it — making it an easy call for the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night."It's unbelievable," Rutschman said from Goss Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon, shortly after becoming the top selection. "Just to look back on how I was as a kid and seeing what my expectations were, how far I've come from there, it's special."The announcement by Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB Network studios marked the second time the Orioles led off the draft — they took LSU pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989."I met with all the teams over the course of the year and knew the Orioles were going to be the first overall," said Rutschman, a 40th-round pick by Seattle three years ago. "As the year progressed and went along, it looked like it was a possibility more and more.... [More]

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — A capsule look at the first 10 picks in the Major League Baseball draft Monday night:No. 1 - BALTIMORE ORIOLES: ADLEY RUTSCHMAN, C, OREGON STATEGolden Spikes Award finalist was Pac-12 player of year and conference's co-defensive player of year. Marked seventh time player drafted as catcher taken with top pick — first since Joe Mauer in 2001. Switch-hitting slugger batted .411 with career-best 17 homers and 58 RBIs for Beavers, and threw out 13 of 27 runners attempting to steal. Ranked among national leaders in several offensive categories, including on-base percentage (.575), slugging percentage (.751) and walks (school-record 76). Was 40th-round pick by Seattle in 2016No. 2 - KANSAS CITY ROYALS: BOBBY WITT JR, SS, COLLEYVILLE H.S. (TEXAS)Son of former big league pitcher Bobby Witt , who was selected No. 3 overall by Texas Rangers in 1985 draft. Witts became highest-drafted father-son duo, topping Tom Grieve (No. 6, 1966) and Ben Grieve (No. 2, 1994). They're also... [More]

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — A capsule look at the first 10 picks in the Major League Baseball draft Monday night:1. BALTIMORE ORIOLES: ADLEY RUTSCHMAN, C, OREGON STATEGolden Spikes Award finalist was Pac-12 player of year and conference's co-defensive player of year. Marked seventh time player drafted as catcher taken with top pick — first since Joe Mauer in 2001. Switch-hitting slugger batted .411 with career-best 17 homers and 58 RBIs for Beavers, and threw out 13 of 27 runners attempting to steal. Ranked among national leaders in several offensive categories, including on-base percentage (.575), slugging percentage (.751) and walks (school-record 76). Was 40th-round pick by Seattle in 2016.1. KANSAS CITY ROYALS: BOBBY WITT JR, SS, COLLEYVILLE H.S. (TEXAS)Son of former big league pitcher Bobby Witt , who was selected No. 3 overall by Texas Rangers in 1985 draft. Witts became highest-drafted father-son duo, topping Tom Grieve (No. 6, 1966) and Ben Grieve (No. 2, 1994). They're also seventh father-son... [More]

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — Adley Rutschman heard the chatter for months that he'd be the top pick in the Major League Baseball draft.The switch-hitting Oregon State catcher just kept slugging at the plate and throwing out would-be basestealers all season from behind it — making it an easy call for the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night."It's unbelievable," Rutschman said from Goss Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon, shortly after becoming the top pick. "Just to look back on how I was as a kid and seeing what my expectations were, how far I've come from there. It's special."The announcement by Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB Network studios marked the second time the Orioles led off the draft — they took LSU pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989."I met with all the teams over the course of the year and knew the Orioles were going to be the first overall," said Rutschman, a 40th-round pick by Seattle three years ago. "As the year progressed and went along, it looked like it was a possibility more and more. It... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Adley Rutschman has been a powerful presence at the plate and a formidable force behind it for Oregon State.That tantalizing combination could make the switch-hitting catcher the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft Monday night.Baltimore leads things off for the second time in franchise history, and first since it selected LSU pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989. Rutschman, a Golden Spikes Award finalist and the Pac-12 player of the year, has been linked to the Orioles at No. 1 for most of the college season.Texas high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the son of former major league pitcher Bobby Witt; Cal first baseman Andrew Vaughn; Vanderbilt outfielder JJ Bleday; and Georgia high school shortstop CJ Abrams are also possibilities to have their names called early by Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey."It's hard to understate it — it's a huge opportunity," Baltimore general manager Mike Elias said. "Any time you're picking... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay Bruce is going from last place to the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.The former All-Star was traded by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in a deal that will cost the Phillies just $2.75 million over the next 1½ seasons."I get to go somewhere I have a chance to win," the 32-year-old outfielder said, "and at this point in my career, that's pretty paramount for me."As part of the deal, Seattle agreed to pay the Phillies $18,567,204 next Jan. 15, offsetting most of the $21,317,204 remaining in the $39 million, three-year contract Bruce agreed to with the New York Mets in January 2018.Bruce is owed $8,317,204 this year from his $13 million salary and has a $13 million salary in 2020. The Mets remain responsible for the second $1.5 million installment of his $3 million signing bonus, a payment due next Jan. 31.Philadelphia sent the Mariners minor league infielder Jake Scheiner, who will report to Class A Modesto.Bruce will join the Phillies for Monday's game at San... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay Bruce is going from last place to the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.The former All-Star was traded by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in a deal that will cost the Phillies just $2.75 million over the next 1½ seasons."I get to go somewhere I have a chance to win," the 32-year-old outfielder said, "and at this point in my career, that's pretty paramount for me."As part of the deal, Seattle agreed to pay the Phillies $18,567,204 next Jan. 15, offsetting most of the $21,317,204 remaining in the $39 million, three-year contract Bruce agreed to with the New York Mets in January 2018.Bruce is owed $8,317,204 this year from his $13 million salary and has a $13 million salary in 2020. The Mets remain responsible for the second $1.5 million installment of his $3 million signing bonus, a payment due next Jan. 31.Philadelphia sent the Mariners minor league infielder Jake Scheiner, who will report to Class A Modesto.Bruce will join the Phillies for Monday's game at San... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Former All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce was traded to Philadelphia by the Seattle Mariners, a deal that will cost the Phillies just $2.75 million over the next 1½ seasons.As part of the trade finalized Sunday, Seattle agreed to pay the Phillies $18,567,204 next Jan. 15, offsetting most of the $21,317,204 remaining in the $39 million, three-year contract Bruce agreed to with the New York Mets in January 2018.Bruce is owed $8,317,204 this year from his $13 million salary and has a $13 million salary in 2020. The Mets remain responsible for the second $1.5 million installment of his $3 million signing bonus, a payment due next Jan. 31.Philadelphia sent the Mariners minor league infielder Jake Scheiner, who will report to Class A Modesto,The 32-year-old Bruce is hitting .212 with 14 homers and 28 RBIs. He has struck out 53 times in 184 at-bats."I figured this would be the situation," Bruce said. "It's bittersweet. I really like the group of guys here. I got to know some of them... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Former All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce was traded to Philadelphia by the Seattle Mariners, a deal that will cost the Phillies just $2.75 million over the next 1½ seasons.As part of the trade finalized Sunday, Seattle agreed to pay the Phillies $18,567,204 next Jan. 15, offsetting most of the $21,317,204 remaining in the $39 million, three-year contract Bruce agreed to with the New York Mets in January 2018.Bruce is owed $8,317,204 this year from his $13 million salary and has a $13 million salary in 2020. The Mets remain responsible for the second $1.5 million installment of his $3 million signing bonus, a payment due next Jan. 31.Philadelphia sent the Mariners minor league infielder Jake Scheiner, who will report to Class A Modesto,The 32-year-old Bruce is hitting .212 with 14 homers and 28 RBIs. He has struck out 53 times in 184 at-bats."I figured this would be the situation," Bruce said. "It's bittersweet. I really like the group of guys here. I got to know some of them... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Adley Rutschman has been a powerful presence at the plate and a formidable force behind it for Oregon State.That tantalizing combination could make the switch-hitting catcher the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft Monday night.Baltimore leads things off for the second time in franchise history, and first since it selected LSU pitcher Ben McDonald in 1989. Rutschman, a Golden Spikes Award finalist and the Pac-12 player of the year, has been linked to the Orioles at No. 1 for most of the college season.Texas high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the son of former major league pitcher Bobby Witt; Cal first baseman Andrew Vaughn; Vanderbilt outfielder JJ Bleday; and Georgia high school shortstop CJ Abrams are also possibilities to have their names called early by Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey."It's hard to understate it — it's a huge opportunity," Baltimore general manager Mike Elias said. "Any time you're picking... [More]