As I mentioned briefly at the end of last night’s post, Rotoworld came out with their updated list of the Top 150 prospects in baseball. The O’s showed very well, putting 8 players in the Top 150, all of them actually in the Top 110. Only Oakland and Cleveland had more on the list, which is a great sign for the Birds. This list discounted players that are currently in the big leagues (so no Radhames Liz or Garrett Olson for the O’s) and also didn’t count players yet to sign (therefore no Brian Matusz).
Here are the O’s representatives:
4- Matt Wieters, C, 22 years old
A+, Frederick: .345/.448/.576/1.024
AA, Bowie: .346/.433/.538/.971
Wieters, the first-round pick out of Georgia Tech last year, has done just about all you could ask of him in his first season as a pro. He raked at Frederick and has hit nearly as well at Bowie. There is lots of speculation that he could be the Orioles Opening Day catcher next year if the team can find a taker for Ramon Hernandez. I feel Wieters should get a call-up in September just to get him a look at major league pitching, but my guess is the more conservative Andy MacPhail keeps him in the minors for the rest of the season and lets him rest after Bowie’s season ends.
42- Chris Tillman, RHP, 20 years old
AA, Bowie: 7-3, 3.11 ERA, 20 GS, 92.2 IP, 80 H, 5 HRA, 48 BB, 94 K
Tillman was another part of the Erik Bedard deal this past off-season, and he has been outstanding at Bowie this year when you consider that he is just 20 years old. He has been limited on his innings, as many times this year he has been crusing through 5 and will be taken out. Over a strikeout an inning is fantastic, and he has only allowed 5 home runs. I would expect Tillman to be one of the first in line to get a call-up next year if someone in the rotation gets injured or is ineffective.
69- Jake Arrieta, RHP, 22 years old
A+, Frederick: 6-5, 3.06 ERA, 19 GS, 106 IP, 77 H, 7 HRA, 48 BB, 112 K
Arrieta got off to an unconscious start to the season, but injured his back late in the first half and wasn’t as effective in his first few starts after coming back from the injury. That said, his numbers are terrific. His strikeout/walk ratio is even better than Tillman’s, and this is a theme you will see throughout the Orioles organization. The Birds have a TON of pitchers who can strike guys out, something you really love to see. Arrieta’s minor league season is likely done, as he will represent Team USA in Beijing. If you catch some Olympic baseball, be sure to look out for Jake on the mound. Arrieta should begin next year in Bowie’s rotation.
75- Brandon Erbe, RHP, 20 years old
A+, Frederick: 7-9, 4.60 ERA, 21 GS, 109.2 IP, 97 H, 18 HRA, 31 BB, 108 K
Don’t let the record and ERA fool you, Erbe is a legit prospect. In his second year at Frederick, he has remained on thing for certain: inconsistent. However, he has had his fair share of absolutely dominant starts this season, and is still only 20 years old. He has vastly improved his walks (once Daniel Cabrera-esque) and his strikeout totals haven’t suffered at all. The one concern with Erbe is the home runs, as he has allowed 18. Erbe on any given night can look like a lock to be an Ace in the big leagues, but the next time out he can look like a sure bust. It’s just too hard to ignore his ridiculous strikeout totals, and the fact that he is still so young. Erbe should finish out the season at Frederick and join Arrieta next year in Bowie’s rotation.
95- David Hernandez, RHP, 23 years old
AA, Bowie: 5-3, 2.65 ERA, 20 GS, 105.1 IP, 79 H, 10 HR, 52 BB, 120 K
Your Orioles break-out prospect of 2008, David Hernandez! He had a solid year for Frederick last year, but has been outstanding at Bowie this season. He made the Eastern League All-Star Team, and has struck out 120 batters in about 105 innings. Hernandez’ problem is (you guessed it) walks. 52 in 105 innings is way too many, but if Hernandez can get that under control, he could very well be a starter in Baltimore before the All-Star break next season. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he got a look in September this year.
97- Billy Rowell, 3B, 19 years old
A+, Frederick: .232/.302/.354/.656
Those aren’t typos, those are really Rowell’s numbers at Frederick. How can he be regarded as such a highly thought of prospect? Well, first of all, he doesn’t turn 20 until September, so he certainly has time on his side. Also, this kid has talent, there is no denying that. He was the Orioles first-round pick in 2006, and played well at Delmarva last year. Although this year has certainly been a disappointment in terms of Rowell becoming a legitimate stud prospect, he is still one of the O’s better prospects. Rowell should repeat Frederick next season, and look for his numbers to improve as well.
108- Chorye Spoone, RHP, 22 years old
AA, Bowie: 3-3, 4.57 ERA, 9 GS, 41.1 IP, 40 H, 4 HRA, 27 BB, 32 K
This has to have been a very tough year for Chroye. After breaking onto the prospect scene last season at Frederick, he has battled injuries all year at Bowie. Even when he pitched for the Baysox this year, he struggled with his command. Hopefully Chorye can regain his health this off-season, and come back strong next year. I’d expect him to be in the Bowie rotation once again.
109- Nolan Reimold, OF, 24 years old
AA, Bowie: .287/.359/.493/.852
Reimold, who has battled injuries the past two seasons, looks like he is finally 100%. He struggled in April and early May this season, but has been outstanding this summer. Reimold turns 25 in October, so I’d expect to see him in Baltimore sooner rather than later. Depending on what happens at the trade deadline, I’d expect to see him at Camden Yards at the latest for a September call-up. Reimold has played right field for Bowie most of the season, and obviously that spot is taken up in Baltimore, so it will be interesting to see what the Orioles do with Reimold and Luke Scott in left field when Nolan gets a call-up.
So, there you have it. 8 of the Top 110 prospects in baseball. I’d say that’s a pretty good reason to be happy about this organizations future. Certainly the pitching side of things looks much better (especially when you take Brian Matusz into account). However, the positional players aren't as thin as it appears, with Brandon Snyder really having turned it on at Frederick. He has crusched the ball the last two months. Snyder, the Orioles first-round pick in 2005, has thrown himself back into the legit prospect discussion as well.
Joe Jordan and Andy MacPhail, as well as all the Orioles scouts have really done a nice job getting this system back towards the top of the league. Hopefully we will see some of these guys in Baltimore before too long.
Keywords: Baltimore Orioles
