The success of the current Orioles up in the “bigs” has been tremendous through the first six weeks of the season. Led by Manny Machado, the red-hot offense has been the key to the Birds’ success.
Down on the farm, some stars are shining just a bright as the boys at Camden Yards. Let’s check out the minor leagues in our latest minor league report, “Down O’n the Farm.” We’ll give you one hitter and pitcher having the most success from each of the Orioles’ affiliates.
AAA Norfolk Tides:
Yamaico Navarro: Navarro has had stints with the Red Sox, Royals, and Pirates, but he is having his best minor league success in this year’s campaign. Navarro has been consistent all year long, batting .306 with 12 RBI’s. The 25-year old third baseman has been on a tear recently as in his last ten games, he has an on-base percentage of.511. He is getting on base with not only his hitting skills, but his pitch selection, averaging almost a walk per game in his last ten.
Jair Jurrjens: The current Orioles pitching staff has been struggling as of late, and a new starter may need to be called up soon. Thanks to multiple off days this week, Buck Showalter can hold off for a little while. Should the team need to make the move though, Jurrjens is the guy. The former Atlanta Braves pitcher has been dominating in AAA, and it’s only a matter of time before he makes the move back to the majors. Jurrjens has earned a win in each of his last four starts, and is keeping opponent batting average down to under .225. He only has two walks in his last two starts, proving that his control is back and he’s ready to be up on the next level.
The Birds did call up Mike Belfiore Sunday, a pitcher from AAA Norfolk. He will be making his major league debut when he earns his first appearance. He has no walks and 10 strikeouts in his previous five appearances.
AA Bowie Baysox:
Henry Urrutia: The Baysox are 6.5 games back in the division and struggling, but Urrutia has been the glue that is keeping Bowie together. His production has been better than anyone else’s, making a name for himself at the dish and in the field. Urrutia is currently batting .343 with 15 RBI. The reason he made this piece isn’t the flashy general stats, but his clutch performance when the team needs it the most. He is batting over .400 with runners in scoring position, and has 16 hits when runners are on base. Should Urrutia keep this success going, expect a call-up to Norfolk shortly!
Jason Gurka: The Bowie pitching staff has been average at best, so having a guy like Gurka in the bullpen has been perfect. The young 22-year old is having the best year he has had in his four years working the way up the Orioles minor leagues. Pitching only about once or twice a week, Gurka has only had one game where he has let up a run. Take away his outing on April 8th when he was rocked for three earned runs over five hits, and he would have an ERA of 0.00 in 17 innings with 19 strikeouts. His last outing against Erie showed the potential that Gurka really has. He K’ed 5 over 3 innings and got the save.
A Frederick Keys:
Zane Chavez: Catching for the Keys, Chavez is having a great season at the dish. He is currently batting .313 and has driven in 18 runs, second-most on the team. He has made his living against righties this season, batting over .350 and hitting both home runs from the right side. With 11 walks in his previous six games, Chavez has upped his on-base percentage to .434, one of the best on the team. The catching position comes at a premium, and it will be interesting to keep watching Chavez develop and play.
Tim Berry: One of the finer young surprises in the minor league system has been Tim Berry. Just 22 years old, Berry has pitched very effectively this season for Frederick. He has posted 42 strikeouts in 39.2 innings with only nine walks. While his stats don’t show him as being the best starter on the staff, he has been plagued by errors. The lefty’s last start on May 11th would have been a sure victory, but his defense behind him struggled as he let up five runs, all unearned. Watch for Berry the rest of the season.
A Delmarva Shorebirds:
Wynston Sawyer: Another catcher makes this weeks’ list. Sawyer has been taking the load of starts behind the plate for Delmarva, and his contributions at the plate have been impressive for a guy who is just 21. He is batting .295, but has had a bit of a cold streak as of late. Once he picks things up, he’ll be just fine. Sawyer has a bright future behind the plate and beyond.
Matt Hobgood: The former top pick is back at it again from the bullpen in Delmarva, and is showing up to play every time he pitches. He has been the best pitcher for the Shorebirds as he is 3-0, holding opponents to just a .136 batting average through 20 innings—sweet! Like previously mentioned Jason Gurka, if you take away just one of Hobgood’s nine appearances, he would only have let up six hits and no runs. Don’t be too quick to label Hobgood a bust… a bright future could be ahead for the 22-year old.
