To Draft or not to Draft

Two pitchers ready to take next step

Malcolm Grady and Jeremy Orbik are two starting pitchers for the baseball team who both have big things coming after their senior baseball season’s end.
Grady is leaning towards going pro if he drafts well in the 2015 MLB draft and Orbik has signed with Kentucky on a full scholarship. He could also decide to go pro after the draft.

Their draft stock is extremely important and the round they get drafted in are big factors on whether they will go to college or go to the minors.

“If I get drafted in a good round then I’m going to play pro ball, but if I don’t I will go to college.” Grady said.
Even though their future looks promising, they both have a lot of room to improve. Grady says that he needs to improve his off speed pitches to become a better pitcher.

“I need to improve my breaking balls to keep hitters confused so that the velocity looks better on my fastballs,” Grady said.

Orbik says improvement can come with physical growth.

“I just need to get stronger. I can definitely throw a lot harder than I’m throwing now,” Orbik said.

Grady and Orbik both have an array of pitches that keeps batters on their toes. They need to use them well so their stock can rise for the draft. However, Orbik is content with going to college at Kentucky and is grateful for the opportunity.

“I just feel blessed to be given the opportunity to play at a D1 University that is in the SEC. The SEC is one of the best baseball conferences in the country,” Orbik said.

Head Coach Todd Sippel is very proud of both players and wants them to do what is best for their careers.

“They have always been top pitchers in our program. They have worked to get better and they have gotten better,” Sippel said. “They put the time and dedication in.”

This season they will have to put all their hard work into play as there will be more scouts at the games than ever, according to Sippel.

“Last year, there were a few but now through their summer workouts and fall workouts, they have gained a lot of attention because they are throwing a lot harder than they did,” Sippel said. “They are getting a lot more looks from scouts.”

Even though their team is also good, Malcolm and Orbik are easily getting the most attention from scouts.

“Typically in this area, pitchers get all the looks, especially if they can hit 90 mph. They definitely get the most scouts,” Sippel said.

With that said Orbik and Grady both think highly of their teammates. Especially to their battery mateSenior Jesse Forestell.

“Jesse is one of the best catchers that’s ever caught for me.” Grady said.