Pat Connaughton

ANALYSIS
Appearing Monday on MLB Network Radio, Connaughton spoke about his future in the NBA. "[I'm] not going to unrealistically chase a dream if it appears that dream is getting farther and farther away." The Orioles' 2014 fourth-round pick -- and a second-round pick in the 2015 NBA draft -- has averaged 1.8 points per game over 73 NBA contests. O's general manager Dan Duquette said his club still believes Connaughton has a bright future in baseball. "I think he can come quick -- to the major leagues -- because he's such a gifted athlete." Duquette delivered an indirect message encouraging the 24-year-old to look at his agent's brother, Jeff Samardzija, who passed on an NFL career and became a successful major-league pitcher with career earnings over $61 million.