When Orioles’ area scout Brandon Verley says there’s “definitely room for growth” with 13^th-round draft pick Jared Beck, he’s speaking about the development as a pitcher. By no means is he suggesting that Beck could become taller.

Sure, it’s possible. But Beck is probably done at 7-feet, a height that’s never been listed on a major league roster.

Verley, whose scouting territory moved to south Florida in 2020, believes that Beck is capable of improving on tools that got him noticed as a senior at Saint Leo University and enticed the Orioles into selecting him on the third day. He signed his professional contract on Tuesday.

“I know there’s never been a guy like him to make it,” said Verley, previously the Orioles’ Northwest scout who tracked catcher Adley Rutschman in 2019. “I’m hoping that he’s going to continue to project and get better. Guys just figure things out and they get better, and it could happen, really, at any time. And for him, it happened before it was too late, which is great.”

A pitcher with long limbs making a tremendous jump during his two seasons at Saint Leo after transferring from Illinois State.

Selecting pitcher Jared Beck in the 13^th round on the final day of the MLB Draft wasn’t a reach for the Orioles. And that’s just one of the many references to his height that will accompany his journey through the minors if he signs a professional contract.

Beck must be used to it. There’s no hiding at 7 feet tall.

The Orioles chose 12 pitchers. Only one is left-handed. And only one can clean out the gutters without a ladder.

The Saint Leo University baseball website includes a note on Beck transferring from Illinois State and also spending time at Heartland Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College. A long road traveled to the Division II University near Tampa.

Yes, long. Can’t escape it.

The MLB Draft has concluded with the Orioles taking 20 college players and two high school players.

The final count is 11 right-handers, one left-hander, two catchers, four infielders and four outfielders.

“As I mentioned yesterday, we really liked our options as far as the pitching, especially on Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft,” said Orioles director of draft operations Brad Ciolek. “Our scouting and analyst team did a fantastic job did a fantastic job of identifying guys and having unique traits, as far as the arsenal that we’re looking for. Really excited about the crop that we got today and yesterday, and really looking forward to getting them down to Sarasota and working with our player development staff.”

The streak of consecutive college players, following Oklahoma prep shortstop Jackson Holliday at first overall, ended at 11 today with 11^th-round prep pitcher Zachary Showalter.

Twenty-two players were selected over three days, including 10 this afternoon with rounds 11-20. These players can sign for up to $125,000 without counting against the bonus pool.