Oliver Drake

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #21 prospect in 2016
  After eight seasons in the minors and two separate stints on the 40-man roster, Drake finally made the majors in 2015. He threw a season-high three innings (scoreless) in his MLB debut on May 23, becoming the second Navy pitcher in the big leagues in 2015 joining Cardinals reliever Mitch Harris. Previously, no Navy alum had pitched in the majors since 1921. The Orioles signed Drake as an eligible sophomore for $100,000, and he was added to the 40-man roster after 2011. Shoulder surgery followed in August 2012. Since returning, Drake has thrived as a two-pitch bullpen arm. While at Triple-A Norfolk in 2015, International League managers singled him out as best reliever prospect. Drake features a legit out pitch, a split-finger fastball thrown in the mid- to high 80s to go with his 90-93 mph fastball. That is basically all he throws, but he has learned to locate his splitter, using the pitch to get ahead and also as a putaway pitch. He needs good fastball command to keep batters from sitting on the split. He should compete for a bullpen job in Baltimore in 2016.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #24 prospect in 2014
  An organization veteran, Drake earned a spot on the 40-man roster after the 2011 season. He began the 2012 season on the disabled list, pitched just 18 innings and had surgery in August to clean up the labrum and shrink a capsule in his shoulder. Outrighted off the 40-man in November 2012, Drake began 2013 in extended spring training before heading to Double-A Bowie in June. He pitched well in short stints, as the Orioles meticulously planned his outings and made sure he had plenty of rest. Proving he was healthy, Drake pitched with a 90-93 mph fastball that peaked at 94. He threw his second-best pitch, his split-finger fastball, but no breaking balls after the surgery. Unlike many pitchers who use the split as a chase pitch, Drake sometimes throws it for strikes. Still working to develop a third pitch, probably a slider, he projects as a reliever. He has excellent makeup and pitched aggressively in his return. Drake probably will begin 2014 in Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #28 prospect in 2013
  Most teams didn't realize Drake had attended a year of prep school before he attended the Naval Academy, making him draft-eligible as a sophomore in 2008, or that he wouldn't have to fulfill his military commitment if he didn't return for his junior year. Baltimore had background with Drake because he had played for the Youse's Orioles club that serves as their scout team, knew his situation and signed him for $100,000 as a 43rd-rounder. He worked his way to Double-A and onto the Orioles' 40-man roster in 2011. He began last year on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, made three starts for Bowie in May, then felt discomfort in the shoulder again. He was shut down for the season and had surgery. Drake's last start, a six-inning no-hitter, was arguably the best of his career. That day, his fastball sat at 92-95 mph with sink, and he showed an 82-83 mph splitter/changeup with late tumble and downer curveball. His secondary pitches lack consistency, but he does a good job of throwing strikes. Big and strong, Drake works quickly and mixes his offerings well. If he fully recovers, he could fit at the back of a big league rotation but might be best suited for bullpen work. He'll make a third trip to Double-A this year after getting outrighted off the 40-man roster in November.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #26 prospect in 2012
  Teams are hesitant to draft players from the service academies because no matter their talent, their military commitments usually put them too far behind to succeed in pro baseball. Drake posted a 3.48 ERA at Navy in 2007-08, and most teams didn't realize he was a draft-eligible sophomore who wouldn't have to fulfill his military commitment if he didn't return for his junior year. The Orioles knew him from the Youse's Orioles squad in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League that serves as a scout team for the organization and took him in the 43rd round in 2008. After he compiled a 1.00 ERA that summer, they signed him for $100,000. He moved slowly through the farm system until last year, when he fashioned a 27-inning scoreless streak in high Class A to earn a promotion to Double-A (and an emergency appearance in Triple-A). Drake features a sinking fastball that ranges from 89-95 mph and usually sits in the low 90s. While he has an average changeup, he'll have to improve his curveball to succeed at higher levels. He does mix his pitches well and has good control, though he'll also need to sharpen his command. Drake was added to the 40-man roster in November, and he'll start 2012 back in Bowie. If he gets his breaking ball figured out, he'll profile as an innings-eating starter.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2010
  The Orioles may have pulled off a steal when they got Drake near the end of the 2008 draft. He had been impressive in his first two seasons at Navy, but many teams apparently didn't know he was draft-eligible as a sophomore. Fewer still realized that if he dropped out of the Naval Academy he could bypass his military commitment, which has sidetracked the career of his former teammate Mitch Harris with the Mariners. Midshipmen don't make their five-year commitment until they start their junior year. Drake had a relationship with area scout Dean Albany and played for his team in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate League, going 4-1, 1.00 in the summer after he was drafted before signing with Baltimore in July for $100,000. Drake has a nice feel for pitching, with a fluid motion and good life on his pitches. His fastball sits at 88-91 mph touches 92, and he complements it with a slider that's an above-average pitch at times. He's working on his changeup. Drake throws strikes and works quickly, and he still has some projection left in his big frame. The Orioles were pleased with his first full pro season and think he could take a big step forward in high Class A this year.