Aberdeen Bound: Trey Mancini

Eight of the Orioles 2013 Draft picks that have already signed on the dotted line are headed to Aberdeen to start their professional careers, and we will be taking a look at all of the newest IronBirds in a segment called '' Aberdeen Bound'' right here at IBN on the Aberdeen Patch! First up is the Orioles 8th round pick, Trey Mancini.

1B Trey Mancini- An 8th round pick out of Notre Dame in this year's draft, the 21-year-old Mancini has a lot of potential and is one of the most promising prospects on this 2013 IronBirds roster. The Winter Haven, Florida native was a star at Winter Haven HS, where he started for three years and had an amazing Senior season, batting .480 with 6 HR and 31 RBI with a .506 OBP.

 Mancini then went to Notre Dame, where he immediately made an impact as a Freshman in 2011, leading the Fighting Irish in basically every major offensive category, as he finished the season with a .323 AVG with 15 2B, 9 Homers, 34 RBI, and a .577 SLG % and .385 OBP among others. Mancini continued to impress as a Sophomore in 2012, hitting .317 with 12 HR and 45 RBI, all ranked 2nd on the team. He also registered a .385 OBP and a team leading .992 fielding percentage on a Fighting Irish team that lost to St.Johns in the Big East Tournament Semi-Finals.

 As a Junior in 2013, Mancini had an incredible year and established himself as one of the top college prospects in the nation. The 6-5, 205 Junior led his Fighting Irish squad to the 2013 Big East Championship game, but lost the game and the NCAA Tournament spot to Connecticut by a score of 1-8. Still, in 57 games,  Mancini led the team in AVG (.389), Triples (7), Hits (89) and RBI (54). He also ranked second on the team in Doubles (14) Home Runs (7) and OBP (.431).

  Coming into the 2013 MLB Draft, Mancini was a highly touted prospect, and even put up better numbers than fellow Notre Dame teammate and 2013 1st round pick, Eric Jagielo. Mancini was drafted in the 8th round (249th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles.

Analysis:  Mancini has a bright future, and it looks like the O's got a steal in the 8th round. Mancini has a lot of stregnth and power, and he can drive the ball to all fields. Mancini is also a solid contact hitter that boasts a great OBP, he never hit under .300 or had a OBP lower than .385 at Notre Dame, and Mancini definitely has the tools and the talent for that to translate to the next level. On defense, Mancini is still improving his technique in the field but is a solid defensive 1B that shows good instincts and athletic ability, and will get better with experience. Some have already predicted Mancini to be a DH at the next level, but that seems unfair to a player that never had a fielding percentage lower than .985% at Notre Dame, and had over a .990 fielding percentage in 2012 and 2013. Mancini is a player that has a ton of potential, and Ironbirds and O's fans should watch out for him in 2013 and beyond, and very well could be playing in Camden Yards sooner than you think.

That's it IronBirds Nation! I hope you enjoyed taking an inside look at one of the newest, and one of the most exciting IronBirds on the 2013 roster! Stay posted here at the Aberdeen Patch and at IBN, where we will have a new '' Aberdeen Bound'' article published tomorrow!!! Until next time, take it easy IronBirds fans, and I hope to see you Monday night at Ripken Stadium!

                                                                     - Logan Quick

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