The “All Questions Answered” threads will be posted every Wednesday. The rules are pretty simple:
- Three questions per poster.
- Please avoid asking broad questions like “name your top 20 prospects”.
I’ll answer questions throughout the day.
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1. What kind of moves do you anticipate seeing this off-season? More in free agency or through trades?
2. If Mahoney continues to bat >.400, can you see him starting next year in Norfolk?
3. If you had money add to one aspect of this organization, which area would you improve?
1. I think we’ll go after a big bat and try to sign a SS that can add some offensive production unlike Izturis.
2. Mahoney’s BABIP has been extremely high over the last month, so there’s a very small chance he does it for the rest of the season, but I definitely think he starts at Norfolk next year.
3. I’d add some more scouts. http://oriolesprospects.com/op-news/orioles-rank-last-in-al-east-in-number-of-scouting-positions/
Which of the top ten prospects do you see them not signing?
Are Snyder and Mahoney worth holding off on trying to find a long term solution at first?
Do you know what kind on velocity Coffey had the other day?
1. Parker Bridwell was the player I expected them not to sign, but now it really looks like we’ll get deals done with all of our top 10 picks.
2. Brandon Snyder isn’t the future at first base. He’ll be able to hold down the job for a few years so they don’t have to sign someone, but Townsend or Mahoney is the future there. We’re not going to contend with Snyder at first.
3. I didn’t ask him about that, but I’d assume it was in the 90-92 range. I’ll see if I can find out for you.
Who are the Top 5 Orioles prospects now?
Can Mahoney be a BA Top 100 prospect?
What’s wrong with Hopgood?
1. Britton, Avery, Erbe, Hoes, Hobgood. Machado is right behind Britton when he signs, for me.
2. It’s certainly a possibility, but they may want to see him perform like this over an extended period of time.
3. Honestly, he needs to get into better shape. I think he’s still learning how to pitch and learning how to attack hitters. In HS he could blow his FB right by everyone, but now he has to think about every pitch. Let’s remember that he’s about 2 years younger than the average player in his league.
I like your stance on Erbe still being high up there. Many O’s fans were down on Arrieta at this time last year when he was struggling at AAA. I can definitely see Erbe doing the same thing at the beginning of next season. I may not have him as high as 3, but he’s still around 5-7.
Is Chris Tillman actually struggling at Norfolk or is he just developing his new pitches?
He’s struggling. The Orioles have handled him horribly and this is exactly what they should expect.
Where will Narron rank amongst O’s prospects and will he stick at SS?
What players will be called up once the roster expands in September?
Also thanks for the minor league ballpark info!
1. Narron is definitely a top 10 prospect in the system. I doubt he’ll stick at SS, and he’ll likely move there early anyway because of Machado.
2. We will definitely see Matt Angle. They could give Brandon Snyder a look as well.
No problem!
What are the prospects of the Os signing Klein, and is the plan still to move him into a starting rotation? Would he start in Delmarva or Bluefield/Aberdeen?
Assuming Givens is totally healthy, who’s our top infield prospect not named Machado?
Is there reason to be optimistic about Hobgood for reasons other than his being 20 years old and it’s too early to make conclusions. What I mean is, have we seen anything from him on the mound in Delmarva to justify where he was taken?
1. We should sign him, and Joe Jordan is very confident that we will. The plan is to move him into the rotation, and if he signs soon enough, he’ll probably head to Aberdeen.
2. L.J. Hoes.
3. He’s about 2-3 years younger than the average player in the Sally League, so the fact he’s holding his own is an encouraging sign. The Orioles knew they’d be pushing him when they sent him there, and he probably hasn’t done as well as they expected. But because he’s playing against older ball players, there’s a little extra room for his struggles.
1. Delmarva is going to be loaded with MI next year. Garabez Rosa is likely headed back, Connor Narron, Manny Machado, Mychal Givens and Jonathan Schoop. What do we do with them and how do get them playing time?
2. What kind of players do you see L.J. Hoes and Xavier Avery becoming?
3. Manny Machado ETA?
1. Machado and Narron should definitely be at Delmarva, but there’s a small chance they keep Narron in extended ST and send him to Bluefield or Aberdeen. Rosa could go to Frederick to clear room, but it’s clear he’s not ready. It’ll definitely be interesting to see how everything plays out.
2. L.J. Hoes, an offensive minding 2B with a high OBP. Xavier Avery, an exciting player who you’ll want to see run. Once Avery learns how to use his speed he’ll be deadly.
3. 2014.
Tim Adleman’s off to a fantastic start at Aberdeen, but he’s too old for the NYPL. Since he was drafted as a senior, any chance he moves to Delmarva before the season ends of jumps straight to Frederick next year?
The O’s tend to keep their recent draftees at one level per year, but Mummey and Adleman may be playing well enough to warrant a promotion.
From what I’ve heard, Adleman has fringy stuff and his results are likely a result of him being older than his competition, like you said. He’s definitely someone to keep an eye on, though.
(Taking liberty to ask another question:)
You, Melewski, and Zrebiec seem increasingly confident we’ll sign all of our top 10 picks. Assuming that happens, how indicative is that of a renewed emphasis on developing the system, and where would in rank compared to recent years?
They’ve done a pretty good job signing their top 10 picks over the last few years. They know they need to build from within if they’re going to win, and their last 3-4 drafts are developing nicely.
Seen some discussion that it wouldnt be that bad if we didnt sign Machado because we’d get 2 of the top 4 or 5 players in next years draft but I have some concerns with that line of thinking. We would have no bargaining power with the player because if we didnt sign him the pick would be lost all together. So we would therefore most likely have to do like the Nats did when they drafted Storen and reach for a very signable player and we would end up with a prospect with not nearly the potential of Machado. What is your opinion on this?
Couldn’t agree more. Machado is an extreme talent and there is no reason to keep what would be the best SS prospect in the minors out of the system and waste valuable development time.
Out of any of the prospects we have(signed or unsigned).Do you see any potential of them making it to the bigs and becoming a on the scene grab the franchise by the kahunas bonafide superstar aka evan longoria? If so,who?
If you’re talking position players, not really, unless we get Anthony Rendon in the 2011 draft.