Orioles Top Prospect No. 9: Xavier Avery

In the summer of 2008, Decatur, GA product Xavier Avery found himself in a very precarious situation. The two-way star could have signed a letter of intent to play football at the University of Georgia, where he would have led a very talented backfield. On the other hand, the star outfielder also had a $900,000 signing bonus awaiting him from the Baltimore Orioles, should he chose to give up his football dreams and take on the MLB.

Like most kids his age (18), Avery took the money and ran, and thanks to a promising debut and an impressive full-season run, Avery finds himself as the Orioles ninth best prospect.

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