O’s Interested in Gavin Floyd and Carlos Quentin | Discuss
While the Orioles have interest in acquiring Gavin Floyd and Carlos Quentin, there may not be a match, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.

Orioles Have Several Offers Out to Free Agents
O’s GM Dan Duquette said the team has several offers out to both free agent pitchers and position players, according to MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli.

Orioles Were in On Kevin Slowey
Before he was dealt to the Rockies, the Orioles were in on Kevin Slowey, according to Ghiroli.

O’s Looking into Re-Acquiring Koji Uehara
As if the Orioles had not already made enough trades with the Rangers, they are now looking into bringing back RHP Koji Uehara, who the dealt to the Rangers last season, according to Rock Kubatko of MASN Sports.

If O’s Trade Happens, It Should be Tomorrow
Duquette indicated that if the O’s do make a trade, it’s likely to happen tomorrow, according to Kubatko.

Orioles Re-Sign B. Erbe
The Orioles have re-signed minor league free agent Brandon Erbe, according to Kubatko.

Cubs Trying to Interest Orioles in Alfonso Soriano
The Cubs are trying to lure the Orioles into dealing for Alfonso Soriano, although the Orioles are uninterested.

The IronBirds’ 2011 season was a complete nightmare, as the loss of the Bluefield Orioles affiliate forced a number of young prospects to short-season A who were clearly not ready to handle the more advanced competition.

Position Prospects

Davis uses quick hand speed to spray the ball around the field and into the gaps.

Top Prospect - The Orioles gave out $100,000 to Glynn Davis, an undrafted rookie out of Catonsville CC, shortly after the 2010 MLB Draft signing deadline — and it appears they found a steal. Davis, 18, hit .271 in 62 NYPL games and showed some gap power with 14 doubles. He’s a true 80 runner and turns routine ground balls into hits. He uses quick hand speed to spray the ball around the field and into the gaps. Even though he’s only 170 lbs., he uses his hips well which allows for gap power. Davis has turned himself into a top 10 prospect in the system and impressed scouts throughout the year.

Biggest Surprise - None

Biggest Disappointment – When the Orioles took Connor Narron in the 9th round of the 2010 draft, they thought they were getting relatively polished high school switch hitter with an advanced approach. His advanced approach and patience were obvious and evidenced by his 49-47 K/BB ratio. However, he hit just .219, had more walks than hits and a .254 SLG. He struggled in the field as well, posting 19 errors in 172 chances at third base.

Top 5 Position Prospects*

1. Glynn Davis
2. Wynston Sawyer
3. Connor Narron
4. Mychal Givens
5. Kyle Hoppy

HM: Dudley Leonora

*Min. 90 PA

Hitting Statistics

Pitching Prospects

Bridwell throws a 91-94 mph fastball with heavy sink and late movement, all from a consistent arm slot.

Top Prospect – Parker Bridwell has exploded onto the prospect round selection out of Hereford HS (TX). He was a three sport star in high school (football, baseball & basketball), so his instant success at the pro level comes as somewhat of a surprise but is obviously an extremely encouraging sign. He throws a 91-94 mph fastball with heavy sink and late movement, all from a consistent arm slot. He throws downhill and it’s extremely hard for hitters to square up on the ball. He also works with a slightly above-average slider and a changeup. He’s already developed a feel for pitching and knows how to challenge hitters. Bridwell hasn’t just positioned himself as the IronBirds’ top pitching prospect, but also as a top five pitching prospect in the system.

Biggest Surprise – Joe Jordan gave $100,000 or more to 18 2009 draft selections, and along with Randy Henry and Ashur Tolliver, David Baker is one pick that is beginning to pan out. He made just five New York-Penn League starts before receiving a promotion to Delmarva, where he struck out 48 in 54.1 IP. On the season, he made 14 total starts between the two stops, pitched 80 innings, struck out 71, walked just 27 and held hitters to a .204 average. He works with a 91-95 mph fastball and his recently added curveball, which replaced a slider he used in high school, has become an above-average offering. Baker is not just making a name for himself with Orioles fans, but has received attention from scouts from around the league.

Biggest Disappointment – Despite being in much improved shape when I saw him in the GCL early this year, the results and velocity just haven’t been there for Matt Hobgood. He hurt his shoulder early in the year, topped out at 91 mph during the season, and walked 23 batters in 26.1 NYPL innings.

Top 5 Pitching Prospects*

1. Parker Bridwell
2. David Baker
3. Mike Wright
4. Jake Cowan
5. Ryan Berry

HM: Devin Jones, Zach Fowler, Matt Hobgood, Tyler Wilson, Alex Schmarzo, Trent Howard, Jake Cowan

*Min. 20 IP

Pitching Statistics

The league average GCL hitter posted a line of .248/.327/.356 — clearly, the GCL is a league dominated by pitchers. The Orioles as a team were below league average offensively, with a combined .238/.315/.346 line.

Davis, 18, hit .435 in six GCL games

Position Prospects

Top Prospect – The Orioles gave out $100,000 to Glynn Davis, an undrafted rookie out of Catonsville CC, shortly after the 2010 MLB Draft signing deadline — and it appears they found a steal. Davis, 18, hit .435 in six GCL games and that was enough for the Orioles to promote him to Aberdeen. He’s a true 80 runner and turns routine ground balls into hits. He uses quick hand speed to spray the ball around the field and into the gaps. Even though he’s only 170 lbs., he uses his hips well which allows for gap power. Davis has turned himself into a top 10 prospect in the system and impressed scouts throughout the year.

Biggest Surprise - Coming into the season, Roderick Bernadina was known mostly because his brother, Roger, had spent part of the last three seasons playing for the Washington Nationals. However, Roderick’s impressive 2011 performance caught the attention of scouts and followers of the O’s minor league system. All of his tools flashed above-average potential, although all areas of his game need fine tuning. He has a solid approach at the plate, but is mostly a free swinger and tends to get caught out in front of off-speed stuff. Like Davis, he has good hand speed and some plus bat speed which allowed him to display gap power in the GCL. When he fills out, some of those doubles will become home runs. If he improves his pitch recognition and learns to sit on pitches, he could become dangerous.

Biggest Disappointment – None

Top 5 Position Prospects*

1. Glynn Davis
2. Roderick Bernadina
3. Gabriel Lino
4. Manuel Hernandez
5. Cameron Edman

HM: None

*Min. 6 games

Hitting Statistics

The average GCL ERA was 3.80, and in a pitching dominated League, the GCL Orioles were the most dominant of the bunch. The Orioles’ 2.07 ERA was tops in the GCL and .82 better than the second best team (Twins, 2.89 ERA).

Pitching Prospects

Top Prospect – The GCL Orioles’ rotation featured five prospects that all received consideration for the title of top pitching prospect. However, Eduardo Rodriguez impressed scouts I spoke with the most, and they saw all five starters throw on consecutive days. Rodriguez features two above-average pitches in a fastball and curveball and both have plus potential. He has a deceptive delivery along with a smooth arm action that’s quick and loose. He gets good extension out front as well. He falls off 3rd base side but throws strikes and uses his front side well. Not only does Rodriguez have an impressive arsenal, but also an advanced feel for pitching. The Orioles may choose to ease him through the system and send him to Aberdeen next season, but he’d be able to handle the jump to Delmarva.

Biggest Surprise – I had no knowledge of what kind of stuff Miguel Chalas had prior to this season. That all changed when I settled in at Twin Lakes Park early in the GCL season and heard his fastball popping the mitt as he warmed up. He entered the game and his first pitch was a 95 mph fastball according to all three radar guns. He also commanded an above-average, late breaking curveball to both sides of the plate. The primary knock on Chalas is his size and that he may eventually be forced to the bullpen. However, his mechanics don’t show any significant red flags and he has a clean, downhill delivery that places only slight stress on his shoulder and elbow. There is some hope he can stick as a starter, but if not, he has late inning relief potential. Like Rodriguez, Chalas is advanced enough to handle Delmarva at the beginning of the 2012 season, but Aberdeen seems like a more likely destination.

Biggest Disappointment – None

Top 5 Pitching Prospects*

1. Eduardo Rodriguez
2. Sebastian Vader
3. Jaime Esquivel
4. Miguel Chalas
5. Cameron Coffey

HM: Juan Guzman, Jorge Rivera, Kenny Wise, Jose Nivar, Mark Blackmar, David Richardson

*Min. 10 IP

Pitching Statistics

Discuss the depth chart in our forums >>

This depth chart is based on prospect rankings and not how advanced a prospect is or at what level they play.  A prospect’s position on this chart is the position at which I feel they well ultimately end up at.

• Matt Angle went 3 for 5 with a run, 2 doubles, and a walk.
• Kyle Hudson went 2 for 7 with 2 runs and 4 strikeouts.
• Ryan Adams went 1 for 5 with an RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Tyler Henson went 1 for 6 with a run, an RBI, and 2 strikeouts.
• Robbie Widlansky went 3 for 6 with a double, an RBI, and 2 strikeouts.
• Brian Matusz pitched 7 innings, allowing 6 hits and 3 ER with 2 walks and 1 strikeout.

Bowie 12, New Britain 8 – Box Score

• Xavier Avery went 1 for 5 with an RBI.
• Buck Britton went 2 for 5 with a run.
• L.J. Hoes went 2 for 4 with 3 runs, an RBI, and 2 walks.
• Joe Mahoney went 3 for 6 with 3 runs, 2 triples, and 4 RBI.
• Brandon Waring went 2 for 5 with 2 runs, a double, a triple, and an RBI.
• Caleb Joseph went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Pedro Florimon went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI.

Frederick 2, Potomac 5 – Box Score

• Steve Bumbry went 1 for 4 with a run, a triple, and 3 strikeouts.
• Jonathan Schoop went 1 for 4 with a run, an RBI, and a strikeout.
• Manny Machado went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Mike Flacco went 0 for 2 with a walk.
• Miguel Abreu went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a strikeout.
• Justin Dalles went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Kipp Schutz went 0 for 2 with a walk.

Hagerstown 3, Delmarva 1 – Box Score

• Michael Mooney went 0 for 3 with a walk.
• Brenden Webb went 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
• Tyler Kelly went 1 for 4 with a double and a strikeout.
• Jeremy Nowak went 1 for 4.
• Michael Ohlman went 1 for 4 with a run.
• Adam Gaylord went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
• Matt Bywater pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits with 5 walks and 4 strikeouts.

Mahoning Valley 1, Aberdeen 0 – Box Score

• Glynn Davis went 0 for 4.
• Dudley Leonora went 1 for 4.
• Wynston Sawyer went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Mychal Givens went 2 for 3.
• Connor Narron went 1 for 3.
• Kyle Hoppy went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
• Trent Howard pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.
• Brandon Erbe pitched 1 scoreless inning.

Game previews for tomorrow:

• Matt Angle went 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
• Kyle Hudson went 2 for 3 with a run and a walk.
• Ryan Adams went 1 for 5 with a run.
• Brandon Snyder went 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Tyler Henson went 2 for 3 with a run, an RBI, and a walk.
• Cole McCurry pitched 2.2 innings, allowing 0 hits and and 1 ER with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.

Harrisburg 6, Bowie 3 – Box Score

• Xavier Avery went 1 for 4 with a double and 2 strikeouts.
• Greg Miclat went 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
• L.J. Hoes went 2 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout.
• Joe Mahoney went 1 for 5 with 3 strikeouts.
• Caleb Joseph went 0 for 4.
• Buck Britton went 2 for 3 with a run.
• Ronnie Welty went 1 for 1 with a run, a home run, 2 RBI, and 3 walks.
• Chorye Spoone pitched 1.1 scoreless innings.

Salem 2, Frederick 1 – Box Score

• Steve Bumbry went 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, and 2 strikeouts.
• Jonathan Schoop went 0 for 2 with 2 walks and a strikeout.
• Manny Machado went 1 for 4.
• Mike Flacco went 1 for 2 with a double, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Brian Ward went 1 for 4 with a double, an RBI, and 2 strikeouts.
• Kipp Schutz went 0 for 4.
• Justin Dalles went 1 for 4.
• Ryohei Tanaka pitched 7 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 ER with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

Aberdeen 3, Jamestown 8 – Box Score

• Glynn Davis went 1 for 5.
• Mychal Givens went 1 for 4.
• Connor Narron went 0 for 3 with a run and 2 strikeouts.
• Austin Knight went 2 for 3 with 2 runs, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Dudley Leonora went 0 for 3 with a walk.
• Kyle Hoppy went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Brandon Erbe pitched 1 scoreless inning with 1 strikeout.
• Luis Lebron pitched 1 scoreless inning.
• Matt Hobgood pitched 1.2 innings, allowing 6 hits and 6 ER with 2 walks and 1 strikeout.

GCL Red Sox 1, GCL Orioles 2 – Box Score

• Roderick Bernadina went 0 for 2 with an RBI.
• Billy Rowell went 1 for 4 with a double.
• Gabriel Lino went 1 for 3 with a double and a strikeout.
• Sebastian Vader pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 ER with 7 strikeouts.
• Jose Nivar pitched 1 scoreless inning.
• Jorge Rivera pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Game previews for tomorrow:

• Matt Angle went 1 for 4 with 2 runs, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Kyle Hudson went 2 for 4 with a run, a double, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Ryan Adams went 2 for 5 with a run, 2 doubles, an RBI, and a strikeout.
• Tyler Henson went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
• Brian Matusz pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs (3 ER) with 3 walks and 0 strikeouts.

Harrisburg 2, Bowie 6 – Box Score

• Xavier Avery went 1 for 4 with a run and a strikeout.
• Cesar Izturis went 1 for 3 with a strikeout.
• L.J. Hoes went 2 for 3 with 2 runs, 2 home runs, and 3 RBI.
• Joe Mahoney went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.
• Brandon Waring went 0 for 3 with a run, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Buck Britton went 2 for 4 with a run.
• Caleb Joseph went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI.
• Pedro Florimon went 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
• Ronnie Welty went 0 for 2 with a run.
• Rick Zagone pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 ER with 3 walks and 8 strikeouts.
• Eddie Gamboa pitched 2.1 scoreless innings.

Salem 3, Frederick 4 – Box Score

• Steve Bumbry went 0 for 4.
• Jonathan Schoop went 4 for 4 with 2 runs, a home run, and 2 RBI.
• Manny Machado went 2 for 4 with a run, a double, a triple, and an RBI.
• Kipp Schutz went 0 for 3 with a walk.
• Brian Ward went 1 for 2 with a run and a walk.
• Mike Flacco went 1 for 2.
• Nathan Moreau pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs (1 ER) with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.
• Sean Gleason pitched 1 scoreless inning.

Delmarva 0, Hickory 3 – Box Score

• Brenden Webb went 0 for 2 with 2 walks and a strikeout.
• Tyler Kelly went 0 for 3 with a walk.
• Riley Hornback went 1 for 2 with a double, 2 walks, and a strikeout.
• David Baker pitched 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and 3 ER with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.
• Randy Henry pitched 2 scoreless innings.

GCL Orioles, GCL Twins – Postponed

Game previews for tomorrow:

Trenton 4, Bowie 6 – Box Score

• Xavier Avery went 2 for 4 with a run, a double, an RBI, and a walk.
• L.J. Hoes went 0 for 2 with a run, 2 walks, and a strikeout.
• Joe Mahoney went 0 for 4 with a walk.
• Brandon Waring went 2 for 5 with a run, a double, a home run, 2 RBI, and a strikeout.
• Greg Miclat went 1 for 2 with a run with 3 walks.
• Pedro Florimon went 1 for 4 with a run and a walk.
• Ronnie Welty went 1 for 2 with a double, an RBI, 2 walks, and a strikeout.
• Pedro Viola pitched 1 scoreless inning.

Myrtle Beach 0, Frederick 1 – Box Score

• Steve Bumbry went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a strikeout.
• Jonathan Schoop went 0 for 4.
• Manny Machado went 2 for 3.
• Mike Flacco went 0 for 2 with a walk and a strikeout.
• Brian Ward went 1 for 3 with a double and a strikeout.
• Kipp Schutz went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
• Nick Haughian pitched 9 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

Delmarva 12, Hickory 10 – Box Score

• Michael Mooney went 3 for 5 with 4 runs, a double, and 3 RBI.
• Brenden Webb went 3 for 4 with a run and a walk.
• Tyler Kelly went 1 for 3 with 2 runs, 2 RBI, and 3 walks.
• Jeremy Nowak went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Michael Ohlman went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.
• Riley Hornback went 0 for 2 with 2 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts.
• Randy Henry pitched 2 innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs (1 ER) with 2 strikeouts.
• Cameron Roth pitched 2.1 innings, allowing 2 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
• David Walters pitched 1 scoreless inning.

Batavia 11, Aberdeen 4 – Box Score

• Glynn Davis went 1 for 4 with a run and a walk.
• Mychal Givens went 1 for 5 with a strikeout.
• Wynston Sawyer went 1 for 5 with a strikeout.
• Connor Narron went 1 for 2 with a run, a double, and 3 walks.
• Dudley Leonora went 2 for 5 with an RBI.
• Kyle Hoppy went 2 for 4 with a run.
• Brandon Erbe pitched 1 inning, allowing 5 hits and 4 ER with 1 walk.
• Luis Lebron pitched 1 inning, allowing 2 hits and 1 ER.
• Parker Bridwell pitched 4 innings, allowing 5 hits and 5 runs (4 ER) with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts.
• Devin Jones pitched 2 innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 ER with 3 strikeouts.
• Kyle Simon pitched 1 perfect inning.

GCL Orioles 1, GCL Rays 2 – Box Score

• Roderick Bernadina went 0 for 4.
• Billy Rowell went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles.
• Michael Mosby went 1 for 4 with a run.
• Gabriel Lino went 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI.
• Eduardo Rodriguez pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.
• Dustin Ward pitched 2 scoreless innings.
• David Richardson pitched 1 scoreless inning.

Game previews for tomorrow:

• Kyle Hudson went 0 for 4.
• Ryan Adams went 2 for 4 with a run, a home run, an RBI, and a strikeout.
• Jake Fox went 3 for 4.
• Brandon Snyder went 1 for 4.
• Tyler Henson went 1 for 4.
• Clay Rapada pitched 1 scoreless inning.

Bowie 4, Harrisburg 5 – Box Score

• Xavier Avery went 2 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout.
• Greg Miclat went 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
• L.J. Hoes went 1 for 5 with a run and a strikeout.
• Joe Mahoney went 0 for 4.
• Buck Britton went 1 for 4 with a run, a double, and a strikeout.
• Brandon Waring went 2 for 3 with a run, a double, and a triple.
• Pedro Florimon went 2 for 3 with a run, a double, a home run, 4 RBI, and a walk.
• Ronnie Welty went 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
• Oliver Drake pitched 3.1 innings, allowing 10 hits and 4 ER with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.
• Eddie Gamboa pitched 3.2 innings, allowing 2 hit with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
• Wynn Pelzer pitched 1 inning, allowing 1 hit and 1 ER with 2 walks and 1 strikeout.

Frederick 7, Salem 1 – Box Score

• Steve Bumbry went 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
• Jonathan Schoop went 1 for 5 with a run, an RBI, and 2 strikeouts.
• Manny Machado went 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI, and 2 strikeouts.
• Mike Flacco went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Miguel Abreu went 1 for 2 with a run and a walk.
• Justin Dalles went 2 for 3 with 2 runs, a home run, 2 RBI, and a strikeout.
• Kipp Schutz went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and a double.
• Bobby Stevens went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a strikeout.
• Jacob Pettit pitched 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 ER with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
• Ryan O’Shea pitched 2 scoreless innings.
• Jason Gurka pitched 1 scoreless inning.

Brooklyn 12, Aberdeen 5 – Box Score

• Glynn Davis went 3 for 5 with a run and a double.
• Mychal Givens went 2 for 5 with an RBI.
• Wynston Sawyer went 1 for 5 with a double and 2 strikeouts.
• Connor Narron went 1 for 4 with a run and a walk.
• Austin Goolsby went 1 for 3 with a run, an RBI, a walk, and 2 strikeouts.
• Kyle Hoppy went 2 for 4 with a run.
• Dudley Leonora went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI and a strikeout.
• Martin Serrata went 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
• Jake Cowan pitched 4.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and 6 runs (4 ER) with 4 walks and 5 strikeouts.
• Zach Fowler pitched 1 inning, allowing 3 hits and 3 runs (1 ER) with 2 strikeouts.
• Kyle Simon pitched 1 scoreless inning.

GCL Twins 4, GCL Orioles 2 – Box Score

• Gregory Lorenzo went 1 for 5 with 4 strikeouts.
• Roderick Bernadina went 0 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout.
• Billy Rowell went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Doug Bream went 2 for 4 with a run.
• Michael Mosby went 3 for 4 with a run, a double, and a strikeout.
• Tanner Murphy went 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI, and a walk.
• Jalen Simmons went 0 for 3 with an RBI and 2 strikeouts.
• Brandon Erbe pitched 1 scoreless inning, allowing 1 hit with 1 strikeout.
• Luis Lebron pitched 1 scoreless inning with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
• Miguel Chalas pitched 3 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 ER with 3 strikeouts.
• Dustin Ward pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hit with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.
• David Richardson pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.

Game previews for tomorrow:

Marty (Brookeville, MD):
Any updates on injured pitchers: Luis Lebron, Brandon Erbe and Jesse Beal? Are they in Sarasota? Pitching at all this year?

Jordan Tuwiner:
Lebron is in Sarasota and has been throwing simulated games consistently. We could see him return to the minors sometime in August.

Beal’s most likely at home after undergoing labrum surgery at the beginning of the season. When he’s ready to begin baseball activities he’ll head to Sarasota.

Erbe had been scheduled to throw a simulated in early June, but couldn’t get loose so he was scratched. I haven’t heard anything since.

Todd (Chapel Hill, NC):
I’ve been wondering about the potential of some of our infielder/utility guys going forward. What do you think will eventually come of Blake Davis, Ryan Adams, L.J. Hoes, Buck Britton, etc.?

Jordan Tuwiner:
While Davis can play multiple positions, he’s not particularly strong anywhere and I don’t think he’ll hit enough to even become a utility player in the majors. You’ll probably see him in the bigs for short stints over the next few years when there’s an injury. But he’s just not talented enough to hold a spot on the active roster for an extended period of time.

As most O’s fans know after watching him on Baltimore, Adams’ defense is well below-average and he’ll commit errors on routine plays. He simply looks uncomfortable in the field and his defense won’t ever earn him a utility role. A year ago I thought he was a potential replacement for Brian Roberts, but I’m feeling less comfortable with that now. If his bat comes back alive, he could probably serve as a starting second baseman on a third division team.

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The major concern with Hoes right now is his lack of power. He has shown an advanced for the strike zone and has hit above .300 at Bowie this year. However, I still feel Hoes’ bat speed is going to give him some gap power eventually, and he also has room to add about 10 pounds. More use of his upper body and more of a load in his swing would go a long way towards increasing his power production. Although he’s spent a lot of time in the outfield this season, I still believe Hoes will settle in as an average defender at second base, and his bat is more than enough for the position. He’s athletic enough to handle the position and simply needs more reps and experience. We could see an infield of Jonathan Schoop (3B), Manny Machado (SS), and Hoes in Baltimore in two to three years.

Zach Britton‘s brother, Buck, looks like a late bloomer and has put up some good looking numbers across Frederick and Bowie this season, with a .379 OBP and .895 OPS. I haven’t seen him this season but I spoke with Don and he believes Buck is at least an average defender at all four infield positions. If he continues to hit like he has this season he does have potential to become a useful utility player in the bigs.

Charles Brown (Lincoln, DE):
Looking at some of the arms in the minors that are old for their league and our bull pen woes (outside of Johnson and Uehara), when if at all would you move these pitchers to the big league ‘pen? Bascom, Spoone, Erbe, Drake, etc…

Dan Sanchez:
When you look around at the bullpens in Major League Baseball, you find that the vast majority of relievers are actually “failed” starters. The most efficient method of building a bullpen is by converting pitchers within the organization whose arsenal is not deep enough, or command not sharp enough, to get through ML lineups the second and third time around. You don’t have to look past Jim Johnson, Jason Berken and Koji Uehara to see how it’s possible to make a successful reliever out of a failed starter. To boot, it’s a much cheaper option than investment in the Free Agent reliever market.

In my opinion, each of the four pitchers you mentioned most likely ends up in the bullpen if he should be so fortunate to have a Major League career at all.

Brandon Erbe stood the best chance of starting in Baltimore, but injuries have cost him crucial development time. If and when he is healthy, it will be best to ease him back into pro innings and let his role be determined down the line when he’s proven his arm is strong enough to handle regular workloads.

Chorye Spoone is another starter whose development has been derailed by injuries. He was a legitimate prospect before the shoulder troubles, but he never had ML command and now he’s struggling to miss bats as well. He’s 25 and posting a 1:1 K:BB ratio across AA and AAA There’s just no way that kind of command/control will allow him to be a successful starter in the AL East. It’s time to move him to the bullpen, let him gun it for an inning at a time, and see if he can suppress the walk total.

Both Oliver Drake and Tim Bascom are having nice seasons, but they are 24 and 26 years old respectively and are repeating their levels. I have significant doubts that their stuff will hold up as starters even at AAA, and they’ve wasted a good bit of time flip-flopping between levels as starters. Bascom recently went through a 5 game stretch out of the bullpen in AA Bowie and didn’t allow a run in 9 innings.

Cole McCurry is a good example of failed-starter-conversion. The lefty had basically stalled out in A ball three years running before making the move to the pen this season at the age of 25. Since then he’s posted a 1.18 ERA in 45 innings across the three highest levels. The Orioles might do well to throw any or all of the guys you mentioned in AAA Norfolk’s pen and see what sticks.

Brief breakdown of each of our lists, from Project Prospect:

Loner Instance: When a player was ranked on [two] of the [three] lists, the person that didn’t rank the player is the loner.

Renegade Pick: When one [of us] ranks a player on our list and the player doesn’t appear on any of the other [two lists]. The [person] that ranks the player is the renegade.

Jordan

Loner Instances: Matt Bywater, Jarret Martin

Renegade Picks: Luis Lebron, Tim Berry

Don

Loner Instances: Brandon Erbe, David Baker, Matt Angle, Randy Henry

Renegade Picks: Kipp Schutz, Buck Britton, Jesse Beal, Brandon Cooney

Dan

Loner Instance: Wynn Pelzer

Renegade Pick: Ronnie Welty

Discuss these rankings in our Minors Forum >>

Discuss these rankings in our Minors Forum >>

Discuss the depth chart in our forums >>

This depth chart is based on prospect rankings and not how advanced a prospect is or at what level they play.

Discuss the depth chart in our forums >>

Mummey will remind you of current prospects like Matt Angle or Kyle Hudson, but he’s different because he has a bit more power than the other two. He smashed 17 home runs in his junior year at Auburn and while he won’t hit for quite that much power as a pro, he could hit anywhere from 9-12 home runs per year. Despite his size, Mummey can really put a charge into the ball.

His above-average speed makes him a stolen base threat and a plus defender in the outfield. He has above-average arm strength.

His plus defense, plus speed, ability to hit for average power and ability to get on-base makes him a legitimate outfield who can be projected to start in the majors one day. If Mummey can strengthen his pitch recognition to the point where he makes consistent contact and he continues to walk at the rate he has, he’ll move up this list even more.

Mummey will head to Delmarva to open 2011 and look to improve off of his disappointing 13 game stretch there in 2010. If he plays well a promotion to Frederick isn’t out of the question.

Career Statistics

View our full top 50 list >>
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When healthy, Erbe’s fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range and regularly touches 95. It’s a fairly straight pitch and is left up in the zone often (due to a hard foot plant), leading to high home run totals.

He throws a very sharp slider with good tilt and bite which is a plus pitch at times. Like his fastball, he often leaves the slider out and over the play which also contributes to the high home run rates Erbe has put up throughout his career.

Photo: Orioles-Nation.com

His changeup still has a long way to go and he needs to do a better job of working it in with his other pitches. The basis is there for it to become an average pitch.

When Erbe is fully healthy and makes his return to the mound, it is likely to be out of the bullpen. He’s thrown just 160 innings over the past two seasons and after not pitching for a year because of labrum surgery, it makes sense to bring him back in a relief role. He could see an increase in velocity as a reliever and if he really thrives you keep him in the ‘pen.

Despite Erbe’s potential to become a #3 starter, his power fastball/slider combo would work nicely out of the bullpen. With a good amount of young starters already ahead of him on the depth chart, and more likely to pass Erbe as he recovers, a switch to the bullpen makes all too much sense.

It’s unclear when Erbe is going to be fully recovered, but the earliest he’ll be back on the mound is June 2011. When he returns he’ll head to Norfolk and could push for a big league job immediately if he’s healthy and in the bullpen.

Career Statistics

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Control has never been an area of strength for him and Spoone had just one season where his number of walks were at a reasonable level (2007). With 79 walks in 132 innings last season, it’s clear that Spoone simply doesn’t have the control to start.

Though walks are always going to be an issue, a 90-95 mph fastball, above-average curveball and strong ground ball tendencies should put Spoone in position to have success as a reliever. There were some nights where he put everything together and looked almost untouchable.

Already 25 years old, time is running out for him and there’s very little chance he shows something similar to what he did at Frederick, especially as a starter. With a spot on the 40-man roster, it’s clear the Orioles still see potential in Spoone. If I’m the O’s, I stick Spoone in the bullpen and see what he can do as a reliever.

Career Statistics

• Matt Angle went 1 for 5.
• Brandon Snyder went 0 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout.

New Britain 7, Bowie 8 – Box Score

• Greg Miclat went 2 for 5 with a run and a triple.
• Ryan Adams went 2 for 5 with a run and a strikeout.
• Tyler Henson went 2 for 5 with 2 runs and a strikeout.
• Joel Guzman went 2 for 5 with 2 runs, a home run and 2 RBI.
• Joe Mahoney went 2 for 3 with a run, a double and 2 walks.
• Brandon Waring went 2 for 4 with a run, an RBI and a walk.
• Eddie Gamboa pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 ER with 7 strikeouts.

Frederick, Potomac – Posptoned

Delmarva 1, Lexington 4 – Box Score

• Tyler Kelly went 1 for 4 with a run and a strikeout.
• Mike Flacoo went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
• Justin Dalles went 1 for 3.
• Garabez Rosa went 1 for 3 with a strikeout.
• Kevin Landry pitched 2.1 innings, allowing 1 run (0 ER) with 1 strikeout.

Brooklyn 4, Aberdeen 2 – Box Score

• Trent Mummey went 2 for 4 with a run and a walk.
• Kipp Schutz went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a strikeout.
• Adam Gaylord went 1 for 3 with a run, a double and a strikeout.

Bluefield 2, Burlington 11 – Box Score

• Kyle Hoppy went 0 for 4.
• Dudley Leonora went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Brenden Webb went 1 for 4.
• Michael Ohlman went 1 for 4 with an RBI and 2 strikeouts.
• Jeremy Shelby went 1 for 3 with a strikeout.

GCL Red Sox 7, GCL Orioles 2 – Box Score

• Vincent Zazueta went 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.
• Riley Hornback went 1 for 5 with a double.
• Mike Mosby went 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
• Chris Lamb pitched 2.1 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 ER with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

Game previews for tomorrow:

Notes:

• Brandon Erbe was scratched due to tenderness in his arm.
• The Keys play a double-header tomorrow, their game today was rained out.

• Matt Angle went 2 for 5.
• Josh Bell went 3 for 5 with 2 runs, a home run and 3 RBI.
• Brandon Snyder went 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI an 2 strikeouts.
• Troy Patton pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 8 hits and 4 ER with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.
• Pat Egan pitched 1.1 scoreless innings.

Bowie, Akron – Suspended

Lynchburg 7, Frederick 8 – Box Score

• Xavier Avery went 3 for 5 with 2 runs, a double and a strikeout.
• Kyle Hudson went 3 for 4 with 2 runs, a double, a walk and a strikeout.
• Ronnie Welty went 0 for 4 with 2 RBI and a strikeout.
• Billy Rowell went 1 for 5 with 2 runs, an RBI and a strikeout.
• Oliver Drake pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 ER with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.
• Brett Jacobson pitched 2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts.

Brooklyn 7, Aberdeen 2 – Box Score

• Trent Mummey went 0 for 5.
• Kipp Schutz went 2 for 4.
• Adam Gaylord went 2 for 4 with a run and a double.
• Tim Adleman pitched 5 innings, allowing 8 hits and 4 ER with 1 walk an 6 strikeouts.
• Kim Mickolio pitched a scoreless inning with 2 strikeouts.

Pulaski 4, Bluefield 5 – Box Score

• Kyle Hoppy went 1 for 3 with a run, a walk and a strikeout.
• Brenden Webb went 1 for 3 with 2 runs, a triple and a walk.
• Michael Ohlman went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
• Jonathan Schoop went 0 for 2 with a walk.
• Jarret Martin pitched 4 innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 ER with 6 walks and 6 strikeouts.

GCL Orioles 4, GCL Twins 2 – Box Score

• Vincent Zazueta went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
• Preston Hale went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
• Mike Mosby went 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Game previews for tomorrow: