Baltimore Orioles: 10 Worst Draft Picks in O's History

You think Orioles' skipper Buck Showalter is focused on the draft?

Well, it should be at least a part of his repertoire. That way Baltimore can continue to rebuild the franchise and rise atop the AL East.

And, much like every team in every other pro sport, the Orioles are no exception to drafting players who take a turn for the worse.

So with that said, here are the 10 worst players to get drafted to Camden Yards.

Wade Townsend: SP, Rice

CAREER STATS

ERA: 5.68

RECORD: 7-21

STRIKEOUTS: 186

INNINGS: 214

The eighth-overall pick in the 2004 draft spent five seasons in the minors, but, ironically, none of these years were spent with the Orioles farm system.

After being drafting by Baltimore, they couldn't work out a deal so he then went back to college ball for his final season.

So much for having another top-10 draft pick.

Scott McDonald: SP, Marquette High School

CAREER STATS

ERA: 5.05

RECORD: 3-2

STRIKEOUTS: NA

INNINGS: 41.0

The Orioles first-ever draft pick in the 1965 draft, Scott McDonald spent six seasons in the minors never getting past Double-A.

He did, however, get more time at the plate for being a pitcher.

He batted .268, had 50 RBI (all came in one season), 25 HRs, and 295 hits in 1,130 plate appearances.

NOTE: Could not find a picture of Scott McDonald, so hopefully a picture of the 1965 Baltimore Orioles will suffice.

Drungo Hazewood: C, Sacramento High School

CAREER STATS

BATTING AVERAGE: 240

HRS: 97

RBI: 352

HITS: 591

During his seven seasons spent in the minors, Drungo Hazewood extremely underperformed for being the 19th overall pick in 1977.

He did make it to the Show one time, but went 0-for-5 through six games with four strikeouts.

Mark Smith: SS, USC

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 27: Mark Smith #34 of the Baltimore Orioles steals second against Spike Owen #17 of the California Angels during the game at Anaheim Stadium on August 27, 1995 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

CAREER STATS

BATTING AVERAGE: .233

HR: 7

RBI: 27

HITS: 44

The ninth-overall pick in the 1991 draft, Mark Smith did spend eight seasons in the majors, but only three with Baltimore.

His stats above are only while he was with the Orioles and, as you can see, not much productivity.

Darnell McDonald: OF, Cherry Creek High School

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - JULY 24: Darnell McDonald #41 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on at the on-deck circle during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards on July 24, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles won 4-2. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Ima

CAREER STATS

BATTING AVERAGE: .156

HR: 0

RBI: 1

HITS: 5

The one year he spent with Baltimore in the majors, Darnell McDonald appeared in 17 games and lacked at the plate.

Not surprising that he has been on four different teams in five seasons.

He's currently with the Boston Red Sox.

Keith Reed: OF, Providence

Victor Baldizon/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Outfielder Keith Reed #43 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for photo day at Fort Lauderdale Stadium on February 27, 2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Victor Baldizon/Getty Images)

CAREER STATS

BATTING AVERAGE: .200

HRS: 0

RBI: 1

HITS: 1

Despite being fairly productive in the minors, Keith Reed had trouble making the adjustment to the majors.

Maybe Baltimore wasn't patient enough with him as he only appeared in six games, but at least his one hit drove in a run.

Adam Loewen: SP, Fraser Valley Christian High School

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - APRIL 24: Pitcher Adam Loewen #29 of the Baltimore Orioles winds up to throw against the Seattle Mariners during their MLB game on April 24, 2008 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

CAREER STATS

ERA: 5.38

RECORD: 8-8

STRIKEOUTS: 134

INNINGS: 164.0

The fourth-overall pick in the 2002 draft, Adam Loewen began rather decent when first receiving the call up, but then was set back after a stress fracture in his pitching elbow.

Thereafter, he lost control in his pitches, went down and never recovered.

Garrett Olson: SP, Cal Tech State

Marc Serota/Getty Images

FT.LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Garrett Olsen of the Baltimore Orioles poses during photo day on February 26,2007 at Ft.Lauderdale Stadium in Ft.Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by: Marc Serota/Getty Images)

CAREER STATS

ERA: 6.87

RECORD: 10-13

STRIKEOUTS: 111

INNINGS: 165.0

Having an ERA of 6.87 during the two years spent with Baltimore and still getting 10 wins shows that he did get some solid run support.

But since the Orioles haven't been very good in a while, it soon caught up to his pitching.

James West: C, Vashon High School

CAREER STATS

BATTING AVERAGE: .231

HR: 12

RBI: 25

HITS: 105

James West spent four seasons in the minors, never making it past the Single-A level.

On the bright side, he did dominate in the rookie league, but then struggled as the competition got more difficult.

NOTE: Could not find a picture of James West, so hopefully a picture of the 1970 Baltimore Orioles will suffice despite the blur.

Ken Thomas: C, Clear Fork High School

CAREER STATS

BATTING AVERAGE: .148

HR: 1

RBI: NA (at least one because of his HR)

HITS: 38

It's bad enough that he batted .148 in the minors, but when called up to Single-A from the rookie league, he only batted .091.

So much for being the 24th-overall pick in the 1972 draft.

NOTE: Could not find a picture of Ken Thomas, so hopefully a picture of 1972 Baltimore Orioles will suffice.