Mike Elias on No. 1 Pick and Upcoming International Signing Period

By Joe Schiller

The next few months will be some of the most important moments in the impending rebuild under Mike Elias, starting with the 2019 MLB Draft.

The Baltimore Orioles hold the No. 1 overall pick, and Elias told reporters yesterday that the Orioles have not made a decision on who they will be taking. 

Mike Elias just held court with the media. Said the #Orioles haven't yet made a decision on the first overall pick. Also confident the new international signing period in July will be the biggest/busiest in club history.

The consensus top pick continues to be Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman. He has all the traits to be a game-changing talent at the next level, but some wonder if the physical toll of the position poses a long-term risk. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is ranked as the top high school player coming into the draft. Orioles' fans have seen the impact a generational talent at shortstop can make. 

Elias has been in this position before, three times with the Astros, so he doesn't lack any experience. But who the Orioles pick will be the poster child for this rebuild moving forward. 

Elias told reporters that he expects the upcoming international signing period in July will be the busiest the club has been in franchise history. The Orioles have rarely dipped into the international market in the past. Elias and the new front office are focused on changing that and targeting some of baseball's top young talent. 

Elias said once new international signing period starts July 2, #orioles will have lots of announcements. Will be busiest they've been in club history.

The Orioles also made a corresponding move on Wednesday, acquiring outfielder Keon Broxton from the New York Mets in exchange for International Signing Bonus Slots, MASN's Roch Kubatko reported. 

Broxton, 25, was a former third-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2009 Draft. He was batting .143 with seven hits and two RBIs in 34 games with the Mets this season. He played with Jonathan Villar in Milwaukee and expects to contribute immediately.