Orioles Top Prospect No. 12: Mychal Givens

The run on infielders continues with 2009 draftee and newly appointed "shortstop of the future" Mychal Givens coming in as the 12th best prospect in the Orioles system.

You may remember Givens from his tenuous, down to the last minute draft-deal days. Many, including Dave Stockstill, Joe Jordan, and Andy MacPhail had given up on getting a deal done with Givens before the draft deadline. And yet, there was the news, coming just hours before the Orioles rights to Givens would have expired, the Orioles and Mychal Givens agree to a pro deal worth a reported $800,000 in signing bonuses.

Sadly, due to the late nature of his signing, we didn't get to see Givens take the field, but don't worry, we'll get to see plenty of the fully rested Tampa-St. Pete native who was named the top high school player in the nation, in 2010.

Mychal Givens, SS, 19 years old

Givens came to the Orioles via H.B. Plant High School where he established himself as one of the best athletes in the 2009 draft. Not only did Givens shine in the field, to the tune of a .374 average with four home runs and 31 RBI, but he also led his team to the Class 5A state semis as an All-State pitcher. On the mound, the right-hander went 8-4 with 113 strikeouts in only 78 innings.

His fastball reportedly touched 97 miles per hour, making him one of the best high school pitching prospects in the draft as well.

But, contrary to popular belief (including the Orioles own announcement of Given's drafting as a right-handed pitcher), it is in the field that the Orioles will stash Givens, taking advantage of his five tools.

Mychal Givens, SS, 19 years old

The fact that Givens was being hyped for the 2009 draft more than a year before it took place gives you some sort of idea of the potential that young Givens possesses. As does the $800,000 bonus. In fact, many believe that it was a steal that the Orioles were able to snag Givens, widely believed to be a first-round talent, with their second pick, the 54th overall.

On to the tools. Like I said, Givens possesses five tool talent. Not exactly A-Rod in his prime "five tools," but impressive nonetheless. First, comes Given's hitting ability. Most high school hitters are pretty raw when it comes to hitting, the result of seeing mostly fastballs in competition. Many often struggle when making the leap to pro ball. Not Givens...at least completely.

He does have the tendency to chase some bad pitches, but he also shows impressive ability to work the count and make pitchers pitch to him. Overall, his hitting ability ranks as his worst tool.

Second, Givens shows considerable power potential, despite his 6'2'' 185 pound frame. He still tends to hit off of his front foot, and is more of a singles and line-drives hitter, but many scouts believe the power is going to come, it will just take time.

Mychal Givens, SS, 19 years old

Third, Givens features above-average speed. Not Michael Bourn or Wily Taveras speed, but more like a tick above Nick Markakis, but a tick below Brian Roberts. Still, above-average speed can help turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples. He probably won't ever steal 50+ bases, but expecting 20-25 wouldn't be unreasonable.

Fourth, Givens is a pretty good fielder at shortstop. He has great range and has excellent footwork, usually the one thing that's lacking from prep shortstops.

And last but not least, Givens, as evidenced by his time on the mound, has well above-average arm strength. AKA, he can make all the throws he's going to need to.

Mychal Givens, SS, 19 years

Now that I've finished pumping up his ego in a way that would probably make poor Mychal blush, let's get down to it.

It's a tough go when trying to figure out where the O's might place Givens. They're set at shortstop at Frederick with Greg Miclat, assuming Miclat isn't forced to repeat Delmarva. Obviously, anything above Single A isn't a possibility, so that leaves Delmarva or short-season ball the most likely candidate.

Givens will most likely see lots of time in minor league camp, and even more in extended spring training, and I'd expect him to make his debut with Aberdeen, right at home at shortstop.