Kevin Gausman doesn’t know exactly how MLB teams and executives make decisions about which players to draft.
“I’m pretty sure they just stay in a room and kind of debate about who they’re going to pick,” Gausman said.
His stats may have quieted any sort of debate about him. The Baltimore Orioles drafted Gausman with the fourth overall pick in Monday night’s draft, likely ending the sophomore ace’s LSU career after this month as one of the most decorated pitchers to wear the purple and gold.
“He’s got such a high ceiling,” said LSU pitching coach Alan Dunn. “What a great day for Kevin.”
Dunn served as a bullpen coach for the Orioles from 2007 to 2010 and as the organization’s minor league pitching coordinator before coming to LSU.
Gausman is 11-1 this season with a 2.72 ERA and a Southeastern Conference-leading 128 strikeouts. He was a first-team All-SEC selection and made the All-Tournament team at last weekend’s Baton Rouge regional.
MLB.com draft expert and senior writer Jonathan Mayo said Gausman is not major-league ready at this point, but his value continues to rise.
“I don’t think he’s the type of guy that will beeline to the majors,” Mayo said. “His third pitch wasn’t quite there yet.”
Mayo said while Gausman has the make-up to be at the top of a starting rotation in the majors, he expects Gausman will have little trouble pitching out of the bullpen early in his career.
Gausman echoed Mayo’s sentiments.
“Whether they want me out of the bullpen in the big leagues or if they want me to be one of those workhorse starters, I’ll do what they need me to do,” Gausman said.
Gausman became the second highest draft pick in LSU baseball history, behind only Golden Spikes Award winner Ben McDonald, who was also drafted by the Orioles with the No. 1 overall pick in 1989.
Junior outfielder Raph Rhymes and senior infielder Austin Nola are both expected to be drafted in early rounds when the draft resumes today.
While Rhymes has been exceptional at the plate this season – hitting .452 with 99 hits – Mayo said his fielding abilities may hinder his value.
“It’s always hard to figure out what to do with guys like him,” Mayo said. “There have been countless guys that hit well in college, but don’t translate well [to the major leagues].”
Mayo acknowledged he doesn’t know much about Nola’s value, but said the senior’s near-flawless fielding at shortstop will work in his favor.
“Someone will always take a guy with a good glove,” Mayo said. “Any time you have a guy who plays shortstop for four years at LSU, that helps.”
Along with Rhymes and Nola, junior closer Nick Goody is also projected to be selected today. ____ Contact Chandler Rome at [email protected]