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AL East: Team needs, possible fits for 2016 MLB draft

UConn lefty pitcher Anthony Kay has been linked to the Orioles late in Round 1. Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire

For the fourth straight year, we're doing a comprehensive audit of every organization in baseball leading up to the MLB draft.

By examining where each team's strengths and weaknesses lie -- and with a working knowledge of its typical draft strategy and tendencies -- we can get a sense of which player each team will select when the draft begins.

Click on the player names of the possible fits to get a full scouting report for that player. Also, the number in parentheses in the bonus-pool area is their rank among MLB teams, from most money (Reds are 1st) to least (Cubs at 30th).

Division-by-division draft outlook

AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West


Baltimore Orioles
First pick: No. 27 overall
Bonus pool: $7,545,800 (15th)

System strength: Tanner Scott and Christopher Lee both project to be lights-out bullpen pieces, but the system in general is down.

System weakness: Despite the high number of talented arms that have traversed Baltimore's system in recent years, none of them ever seem to pan out. Also, the Orioles invest very little internationally.

Recent top picks
2015: D.J. Stewart, OF, No. 25 overall
2014: Brian Gonzalez, LHP, No. 90
2013: Hunter Harvey, RHP, No. 22
2012: Kevin Gausman, RHP, No. 4

Possible fits

Anthony Kay, LHP, Connecticut: Kay is a polished college lefty with a terrific fastball/changeup combo. We've seen arms like this go toward the back of the first round pretty frequently. Kay could move quickly. Justin Dunn would be an interesting target as well.

Gavin Lux, SS, Indian Trail Academy (Kenosha, Wisconsin): There aren't many no-doubt shortstops in any draft, but 2016 is especially dry. Baltimore doesn't have much in the way of middle-infield prospects in their system and would do well to add one at some point, be it at 27 (if they consider anyone worthy) or at 54, where Lux would be a great value.

Anfernee Grier, OF, Auburn: Grier swings and misses but has power, and it's likely he remains in center field. His defensive profile alone likely sneaks him into the first round, especially if other more polished college bats, like Bryan Reynolds, come off the board early, forcing teams looking for something safe to dig a little deeper down their boards.


Boston Red Sox
First pick: No. 12
Bonus pool: $6,997,400 (19th)