All of the Orioles’ minor league affiliates have at least 10 games in the books so far this season, so I figure this is a good time to take a look and see how some of the baby birds are doing. I never look at the records of these teams as I care more about the progression of each player, but the record will be noted to keep you informed.
NORFOLK TIDES (3-8)
Kevin Gausman – Gausman has started two games, pitching a total of 8.2 innings. The organization seems to have Gausman on a strict pitch count at the early going. Gausman has yet to record a win or a loss, but has struck out 10 and allowed only two earned runs. However, Gausman has walked five batters already.
Suk-min Yoon – Yoon has struggled in his first two starts – both losses – as he tries to transition to American baseball. Yoon has only pitched 6.2 innings, allowed 17 hits and already 12 earned runs. Yoon also has walked five compared to four strikeouts.
T.J. McFarland – After spending the entire 2013 season on the Orioles roster as a Rule Five pick, McFarland is being used as a starting pitcher this season for the Tides. Through his first two starts, McFarland has pitched nine innings and to an ERA of 1.00. McFarland has struck out 10, compared to only two walks, while allowing only seven hits.
Mike Wright – Wright enters 2014 as the Orioles 8th best prospect according to Baseball America and has started the year pitching well for the Tides. Wright has pitched 10 innings, allowing only two earned runs to an ERA of 1.80. Wright has struck out eight compared to three walks, but has allowed 11 hits and already hit two batters.
Steve Johnson – Another pitcher that fought until the end to make the roster, Johnson has struggled to start the 2014 season. Johnson has only pitched 7.2 innings, allowing five earned runs to an ERA of 5.87. Known for his control, Johnson has walked three runners and allowed two home runs already. The positive for Johnson is the eight strike outs.
Henry Urrutia – Unable to make the big league roster, Urrutia was sent down to Norfolk so he can play every day. Urrutia has started the season batting .250, with 7 RBIs and an OPS of .640. Urrutia has yet to hit a home run, but does have four doubles. Urrutia has only drawn one walk thus far. One interesting note: with the Orioles not having a full-time left fielder, Urrutia has played almost exclusively in right field for the Tides.
Jemile Weeks – Weeks appears to be the first position player that will be recalled from the minors, regardless of the position, as evidenced by his near promotion last week when David Lough looked to be headed for the disabled list. Weeks has started the season very hot, batting .323 with two doubles and two triples. Weeks also has stolen two bases for the Tides. I think this is more of a reflection on the Tides lineup, but Weeks has an OBP of .405 and has only scored two runs all season.
Caleb Joseph – Joseph got back on the Orioles’ radar in 2013 after a strong season for the Bowie Baysox and has continued to hit the ball to start the year for the Tides. Joseph leads the team with a .353 average to go along with 6 RBIs, one home run, OBP of .371 and OPS of .930.
BOWIE BAYSOX (7-5)
Eduardo Rodriguez – Rodriguez wins the early award for most disappointing prospect. It is way too early to panic, but coming off a spring where Rodriguez struggled, he has not bounced back to start the regular season. Rodriguez has started the season 1-2, but has an ERA of 6.75. Rodriguez has pitched 16 innings, allowing 12 earned runs and 19 hits. He has also walked five. The good news for Rodriguez is the 12 strikeouts.
Tim Berry – Berry has impressed everyone in the organization and has skyrocketed up the prospect list for the O’s. After being drafted in the 50th round in the 2009 draft following Tommy John Surgery, Berry found himself as the 6th overall prospect for the Orioles according to Baseball America entering the 2014 season. The lefty continues to pitch well and through his first two starts that stretch over 12 innings, Berry has only allowed one earned run to an ERA of 0.75. Berry has an impressive WHIP of 1.00 as he has given up nine hits and only walked three. He has also struck out an impressive batter per inning through the first two starts.
Dariel Alvarez – Alvarez signed with the Orioles in the summer of 2013 after defecting from Cuba and has quickly settled in as one of the better hitting prospects for the organization. Alvarez has started the season batting .313 with 9 RBIs . While he has yet to hit a home run, he has five doubles. The only knock on Alvarez right now is his lack of walks. Alvarez has walked once this season, so he should fit right in with the big league club!
Michael Ohlman – Ohlman is trying to build off a 2013 season that saw him move into the top 10 prospect list for the organization by Baseball America. The catcher is batting .256 with a .356 OBP, but has only driven in one run, and is still looking for his first home run of the young season.
Christian Walker – The 4th round pick in the 2012 draft has started the season slow as he has yet to hit a home run and already has struck out 11 times. Walker is currently batting .250 with two doubles and one triple.
FREDERICK KEYS (3-8)
Branden Kline – The second-round pick of the 2012 season has pitched to a 1-1 record in his three starts with an ERA of 4.20. The right hander has struck out 13 hitters and only walked four in the 15 innings he has pitched to go along with the 16 hits he has allowed.
Matt Hobgood – The former first-round draft pick (ugh) continues to transition into a reliever after the many arm injuries throughout his career. Hobgood has appeared in four games spanning 9.2 innings and has struck out eight with only two earned runs allowed.
Mychal Givens – The former second round draft pick in the 2009 draft (Hobgood was the first selection that year) has now completely transitioned into a power arm reliever after being drafted as a shortstop. Givens has appeared in three games spanning five innings and has yet to allow a run. Givens has also struck out an impressive eight batters while only walking one and allowing only one hit.
Glynn Davis – Davis has battled injuries throughout his career, but has started the 2014 season with a bang. Through 11 games, Davis is batting .458 with four doubles, one triple, 8 RBIs and an eye-popping OPS of 1.074. The key for the outfielder is to show he can stay healthy.
DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS (5-7)
Hunter Harvey – The first round draft pick of this past year has started the season off strong through his first two starts. Harvey is 1-0 and has pitched 11 innings with an ERA of 1.64. The right hander has allowed only two earned runs and seven hits. Harvey is averaging a strikeout per inning and has an incredible WHIP of 0.91. Harvey continues to get rave reviews and of course will be a player to watch throughout this season.
Josh Hart – Fellow 2013 draft pick, Hart, has had mixed reviews to start the season. The second-round draft pick outfielder has struck out 11 times, but has hit a modest .265. Hart has only stolen one base and has also been caught once as well.
photo: Craig Landefeld
