The Orioles are in the midst of a small slump, and effective starting pitching has been few and far between. Even the studs of the staff like Jason Hammel have been having trouble locating and finding their stuff. Jim Johnson has cost the Birds two games, and every fan is looking for a bright spot to take their mind off this five-game derailment.
Luckily for you, it’s time for this week’s edition of “Down O’n the Farm”.
Like last week, we will be taking a look at the red-hot Orioles’ affiliates and take one hitter and pitcher from each team that has had the most success.
Note: Statistics noted in this week’s edition do not include those from Sunday’s games.
AAA Norfolk Tides
Travis Ishikawa: It’s been hard to find a player that has done more than Ishikawa. The first baseman has the perfect combination of hitting for average and power and he has been proving it. In the 7 games last week, he had 7 extra-base hits, three of them being home runs. Ishikawa has driven in 27 runs, a number tied for second on the current roster. This guy is leading the Tides to win after win, and has upped his on-base percentage to close to .400. Last week I had Yamaico Navarro and he was called up; so let’s hope Ishikawa can continue his winning ways as well.
Adam Russell: The Tides’ starting pitching hasn’t been any better than the awful starts in the MLB, so we have to go with a reliever this week—deservingly so. Russell had two scoreless outings last week as he tossed 5 innings of ball allowing just one hit. The 6’8 reliever is fanning over a batter per inning, and hasn’t allowed a run since April 26th. If he keeps pitching the way he has been, Russell might just be the next reliever to get the call up to the majors.
Relief Pitching Line of the Week: Andy Loomis: 2.2 Innings Pitched, 1 Hit, 0 Runs
AA Bowie Baysox
Caleb Joseph: This was a tough race for many reasons, but mainly because everyone on the Baysox has been very “hit-or-miss”. Joseph gets this edition’s mention because of his outburst of power and difference making. In Bowie’s six games last week, Joseph helped the Baysox win 4 of 6 by blasting 3 home runs and driving in 8 RBI’s. His 8 total home runs lead the team along with a nice .292 batting average. Joseph has a hit in 7 of his last 8 games and looks to rely on power as we go along.
Mike Wright: Wright has been leading this Baysox staff with his ridiculous success. In his last five starts, he has won each of them giving up just 7 earned runs in 29 innings. Last week’s start was the best of the week as he threw 6 scoreless innings and just two hits. Wright fanned 8 batters as he defeated New Britain. The young 23-year old has just a 1.50 ERA in his three May starts, holding opponents to just a .221 batting average. Wright has been a bright spot in a rather rough Baysox pitching staff as of late. Keep an eye on him in Bowie as he will look for an organization best 6-0 record.
Relief Pitching Line of the Week: Jason Gurka: 3 Innings Pitched, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 4 K’s
A Frederick Keys
Nick Delmonico: The Keys have found a breakout player in Delmonico in the past week, but he was hurt in Saturday night’s game with an apparent hamstring injury. Hopefully the bump in the road is just that, because Delmonico is arguably the hottest prospect the Orioles have. The just 20-year old first baseman is absolutely tearing up single-A, batting .328 with 4 homers and 15 RBI’s. His past week has been near perfect as his clutch hitting is helping Frederick win crucial games. Delmonico is certainly hot, and should he keep batting the way he’s been, expect a trip to Bowie in his future.
Eduardo Rodriguez: The best pitching performance of the week comes from single-A thanks to Rodriguez putting on a treat in front of his coaches. A kid who entered the season just 19-years old pitched a gem against Lynchburg throwing seven scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and throwing 6 strikeouts. Recent start included, Rodriguez has a 4-2 record with a 3.35 ERA. He is allowing less than one hit an inning, and has emerged as one of the better pitchers on this staff.
Relief Pitching Line of the Week: Jesse Beal: 3.2 Innings Pitched, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 3 K’s
A Delmarva Shorebirds
Nik Balog: Delmarva has had a couple of crucial players play a big part in the Shorebirds’ success, but Balog is crushing baseballs lately. He had his first two home runs last week, and drove in multiple RBI’s. The 22-year old has a bright future, and his teammates are as impressed as I am. Pitcher Matt Hobgood has stated on Twitter that Balog kills the ball. His batting average is creeping toward .300, and has a hit in 8 of his last 9 games.
Matt Taylor: Rounding out this week’s batch is Taylor, a guy whose win-loss record isn’t great, but you have to look beyond that. His 2.12 ERA is among the best in the league, and he has only given up 1 home run in 34 full innings pitched. Taylor has shut down left handers as they have batted .091 with only 2 hits in 6.2 innings. He got the victory against Hickory throwing six innings. Taylor should get two starts next week, so he has a shot to be on the list yet again.
Relief Pitching Line of the Week: Lex Rutledge: 2 Innings Pitched, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 4 K’s
