Per reader request, the best tools in the O’s system. This is what Baseball America does, but my opinion:
| Tool | Player |
| Best Hitter for Average | L.J. Hoes |
| Best Power Hitter | Josh Bell |
| Best Strike-Zone Discipline | L.J. Hoes |
| Fastest Baserunner | Xavier Avery |
| Best Athlete | Xavier Avery |
| Best Fastball | Zach Britton |
| Best Curveball | Matt Hobgood |
| Best Slider | Zach Britton |
| Best Changeup | Troy Patton |
| Best Control | Jesse Beal |
| Best Defensive Catcher | Justin Dalles |
| Best Defensive Infielder | Greg Miclat |
| Best Infield Arm | Mychal Givens |
| Best Defensive Outfielder | Matt Angle |
| Best Outfield Arm | Brenden Webb |
You’ve got me thinking of driving to Bluefield to see this kid Webb. Can’t imagine what his arm must be like if it is better than Conley.
Webb is a stud. Very athletic, big upper body, patient hitter, solid defense, fun to watch.
I would place Matt Angle ahead of Hoes for both hitting for average and stike zone disapline. I would tend to think right now that Hoes will have a better major league career, but Angle has hit better than average over the last two years to justify the best eye in the system right now.
It is splitting hairs, but it was just to bring Angle into the Orioles fans eyes as one of the better offensive players in the system as well.
Athlete is fairly certain to be Avery, but there are a group of 5 or 6 that are nipping at his heels. Jordan has done a good job of finding athletic talent and turning the corner for developing those tools for Hudson, Hoes, Henson, Avery, and now Mummey.
I placed Hoes there because he’s 2-3 years younger than the average player in the league, and has still maintained a better BB/K than Angle did, and Angle was 23 while he was with Frederick. This is projecting for the future and I really see Angle as a 4th OF.
I was thinking Givens or Hudson for best athlete but Avery’s speed separates him. Still waiting for the speed to translate into SB, though.
FYI… LJ Hoes was promoted to AA Bowie today.