After selecting college players with their first Draft pick in back-to-back years, the Baltimore Orioles shifted their focus toward younger, more high-ceiling talent in 2017, selecting a prep standout Adam Hall.
Instructional league brought a return to action for Hall, who played in just two games during his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League -- he collected three hits in both contests -- before suffering a season-ending oblique injury in mid-July. "Adam was healthy and did great. He impressed all of us out here," Baltimore Orioles Director of Player Development Brian Graham said about the Orioles' No. 10 prospect.
Drafted by Baltimore in the second round and signed for $1.3 million, Hall is a well above-average runner with an advanced feel to hit and some power potential from the right side of the plate. Equally important is the 18-year-old Ontario product has a chance to remain at shortstop, where he profiles as a slightly above-average defender, one with the necessary tools to also profile at either second or third base.
"He's certainly impressive with his ability to swing the bat and run -- that's for sure," Graham said, "and we think he has a lot of ability at shortstop. But this fall it was all about getting him the reps and development he missed out on this summer.