- May 21, 2026
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The family in Baltimore went shopping for burners last summer, and came back with a pair of made men in the grass. Eric Booth Jr. and Ty Head are the new speed merchants patrolling center field for the O's future.
Booth, snatched seventh overall outta Oak Grove High, cost the books $7.32 million to pry from Vanderbilt. Word on the street is this kid's got wheels for days—80-grade speed by Baseball America's count, 70 by Pipeline. Home to first in four seconds flat. The lefty slashed .441/.612/.803 in four prep seasons and took the '25 Perfect Game derby crown. VP Will Robertson calls it a "huge engine." Swing needs some smoothing, but the bat speed and hand-eye are elite.
Head, a $2.43 million second-rounder from NC State, brings a different package. Dude walked 57 times against just 23 strikeouts this spring, hitting .291/.460/.556 with 14 bombs and 26 bags. Pipeline tabs him a "no-doubt center fielder" with plus range.
Both debuted at Delmarva. Head impressed with a .321/.400/.491 line and earned a quick bump to Frederick. Booth showed plate discipline (.390 OBP) but the power stayed quiet—expected for an 18-year-old thrown straight to the wolves.
Mickey's Angle: Head's the safer bet to reach Camden Yards by 2029; Booth's the lottery ticket with 20-25 homer upside if the swing cleans up. Keep your eyes on the strikeout rates for both.
Source: Yahoo Sports - original report rewritten by Mickey the Mouth.