The Rays selected Chad Orfit, a right-handed pitcher from Lakehead University (Manitoba), with the eighth overall selection (252nd overall).

Tue, 05 May 2026 05:40:48 +0000

**The Rays selected Chad Orfit, a right-handed pitcher from Lakehead University (Manitoba), with the eighth overall pick—marking a rising narrative in North American baseball talent discovery** In baseball circles and scouting forums across the US, a quiet but growing shift is fueling interest: The Rays’ eighth overall selection of Chad Orfit, a right-handed pitcher from Canada’s Manitoba province, draws sustained attention. This oversized pick signals a broader trend—how North American teams increasingly look beyond traditional hotbeds for emerging pitching talent. Orfit’s journey from Lakehead University to elite club status reflects both evolving scouting priorities and the rising visibility of athletes from emerging baseball regions. After breaking through at Lakehead—a program gaining recognition for developing disciplined, offensive-minded pitchers—Chad Orfit impressed Major League scouts with his consistency, command, and grasp of modern pitcher mechanics. Selected 252nd overall, his draft placement underscores a growing appetite among teams to collect foundational but polished talent from university circuits often overlooked in past cycles. ### Why The Rays Selected Chad Orfit: Cultural and Strategic Alignment