Archive for the ‘Orioles Prospects’ Category
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
Catcher Matt Wieters, the Baltimore Orioles top prospect, is off to a blistering start in Class A Frederick. The fifth overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft is batting .438 with 4 HRs and 10 RBI and 10 BB in his first 12 games. Don’t expect Wieters to be in the Majors for another year though, as Orioles’ president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail is in no rush to move him up to even Double A Bowie yet.
“Let’s let him play a while, [but] you can’t help but be impressed by the early returns,” said MacPhail. “If it’s clear that he’s not being challenged where he is, we have no problem moving him.”
Tags: Matt Wieters, MLB Prospect News
Posted in C, Matt Wieters, Orioles Prospects | No Comments »
Monday, April 14th, 2008
In his daily column today, ESPN’s Tristan Cockcroft gives an update on the development of the Orioles top pick in last year’s draft, Matt Wieters. Apparently yesterday’s game marked the first time since the first game this season that Wieters did not get a hit. He was, however, on base three times via the base on balls. Wieters is now hitting .478 with 3 HR and 10 BB on the young season. Cockcroft notes that if Wieters continues to hit at this pace the Orioles will be forced to promote him to Double-A ball sooner than later. If that happens and Wieters continues to hit, look out for him as a big time sleeper on the big league club in 2009.
Tags: Matt Wieters, MLB Prospects, Orioles
Posted in C, MLBPN Top Prospects, Matt Wieters, Orioles Prospects | No Comments »
Monday, March 31st, 2008
Orioles manager Dave Trembly made a last minute decision to cut Jay Gibbons in favor of placing prospect Scott Moore on the roster. The Orioles are still responsible for two seasons and close to $12 million for Gibbons. Moore batted .333 this spring in 39 at-bats with 1 HR and 5 RBIs. Moore is listed as a backup 1B but can also play at 3B.
Tags: MLB Prospect News
Posted in 1B, 3B, Orioles Prospects, Scott Moore | No Comments »
Monday, March 10th, 2008
Most teams have made their final cuts of spring training over the past few days. This means that the remaining players not cut will more than likely spend the remainder of the spring with their respective teams. We’ve listed below the more noteworthy prospects who have been sent back to the minors:
- Wade Davis, RHP, Rays
- Jake McGee, LHP, Rays
- Adam Miller, RHP, Indians
- Chuck Lofgren, LHP, Indians
- Mike Aubrey, 1B, Indians
- Danny Moskos, LHP, Pirates
- Collin Balester, RHP, Nationals
- Tyler Clippard, RHP, Nationals
- Garrett Mock, RHP, Nationals
- Ross Detwiler, LHP, Nationals
- Greg Reynolds, RHP, Rockies
- Casey Weathers, RHP, Rockies
- Max Ramirez, C, Rangers
- Chris Davis, 1B, Rangers
- German Duran, 2B, Rangers
- Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers
- Justin Masterson, RHP, Red Sox
- Michael Bowden, RHP, Red Sox
- Deolis Guerra, RHP, Twins
- Jordan Walden, RHP, Angels
- Matt Wieters, C, Orioles
Tags: Adam Miller, Casey Weathers, Chris Davis, Chuck Lofgren, Collin Balester, Dan Moskos, Deolis Guerra, Elvis Andrus, Garrett Mock, German Duran, Greg Reynolds, Jake McGee, Jordan Walden, Justin Masterson, Matt Wieters, Max Ramirez, Michael Bowden, Mike Aubrey, MLB Prospects, Ross Detwiler, Tyler Clippard, Wade Davis
Posted in 1B, 2B, Adam Miller, Angels Prospects, C, Casey Weathers, Chris Davis, Chuck Lofgren, Collin Balester, Danny Moskos, Deolis Guerra, Elvis Andrus, Garrett Mock, German Duran, Greg Reynolds, Indians Prospects, Jake McGee, Jordan Walden, Justin Masterson, MLBPN Top Prospects, Matt Wieters, Max Ramirez, Michael Bowden, Mike Aubrey, Nationals Prospects, Orioles Prospects, P, Pirates Prospects, RP, Rangers Prospects, Rays Prospects, Red Sox Prospects, Rockies Prospects, Ross Detwiler, SP, SS, Twins Prospects, Tyler Clippard, Wade Davis | No Comments »
Thursday, March 6th, 2008
Around the Grapefruit league:
- Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun reports that Scott Moore, the 8th overall pick in the 2002 draft, has been working at third base, first base, left field, and even gotten some time at second. Combining his utility on defense with a .571 BA and 4 RBI this spring is giving the 24-year-old a good shot at making the Orioles’ 25-man roster.
- Interesting background on speedy, switch-hitting Rays prospect Fernando Perez. Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times seems to think that Perez, who has hit over .300 in his past two seasons of class A ball, could start the year in Triple-A.
- Twins prospect Nick Blackburn only needed one inning of work to impress manager Ron Gardenhire on Wednesday, retiring the side in the fourth inning while striking out two. It’s a good thing he did, because the Twins’ skipper has a lot of pitching to choose from.
From the Cactus League:
- 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Luke Hochevar has been impressive in Royals camp, retiring 11 of 12 in two two-inning appearances. This bodes well for his chances to make the club, although manager Trey Hillman has indicated that Hochevar may not be a candidate for the starting rotation.
- Manny Parra threw 3 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts Wednesday, furthering his case for a spot in the Brewers’ rotation.
Tags: Cactus League, Fantasy Sleepers, Fernando Perez, Grapefruit League, Kansas City Royals, Luke Hochevar, Manny Parra, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, MLB Prospect News, Nick Blackburn, Orioles, Scott Moore, Tampa Bay Rays
Posted in 1B, 2B, 3B, Brewers Prospects, Fernando Perez, LF, Luke Hochevar, MLBPN Top Prospects, Manny Parra, Nick Blackburn, OF, Orioles Prospects, P, Rays Prospects, Royals Prospects, Scott Moore, Twins Prospects | No Comments »
Monday, March 3rd, 2008
- Jo-Jo Reyes is making a strong case for the #5 spot in the Braves’ rotation. It appears that he has taken the lead for the rotation spot over Braves’ pitching prospect Jair Jurrjens.
- According to the ESPN Spring Training Blog, Marlins skipper Fredi Gonzalez expects to see Cameron Maybin back in the lineup sometime this week. Good news for Maybin, as he’ll need all the time he can get if he’s going to win that CF job.
- Kosuke Fukudome has been struggling at the plate so far this spring. Cubs new manager Lou Piniella is going to try moving Fukudome from 3rd to 2nd in the lineup, hoping that it will put the Japanese import at ease. Fukudome’s defense has been top notch all spring, however. As long as Fukudome remains at the top of that stacked Cubs order, he’s in line for a great rookie season.
- Very interesting article today in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about 3B prospect Neil Walker. Apparently the Pirates organization has issued a challenge to Walker to get in better shape to be able to handle the rigors of a full season at 3B. Walker has encountered injury or late-season fatigue in each of his pro seasons. He’s only 22, though, so hopefully he can turn things around and realize the lofty projections scouts have put on him.
- The former Notre Dame two-sport standout, Jeff Samardzija, pitched two scoreless innings today and got the win. Jeff (way easier to spell) was picked up in the 5th round by the Cubs in the 2006 Draft.
- Astros’ prospect Felipe Paulino continues to impress new Houston manager Cecil Cooper as he battles for a spot on the team’s rotation. Cooper said that Paulino’s outing was the second most impressive all camp, behind only Wandy Rodriguez. If Paulino makes the rotation, he could be a major sleeper this year.
- An injury update today on Orioles’ pitching prospect, Troy Patton, and it isn’t good. Nothing conclusive has been released yet, but all indications are that Patton will miss the 2008 season because of his shoulder. This is a real bummer too, as Patton was practically a shoe-in for a roster spot.
Tags: Astros, Braves, Cameron Maybin, Cubs, Felipe Paulino, Jair Jurrjens, Jeff Samardzija, Kosuke Fukudome, Marlins, MLB Prospects, Neil Walker, Orioles, Pirates, Troy Patton
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, 3B, Astros Prospects, Braves Prospects, CF, Cameron Maybin, Cubs Prospects, Daily Pepper, Felipe Paulino, Jair Jurrjens, Jeff Samardzija, Kosuke Fukudome, MLBPN Top Prospects, Marlins Prospects, Neil Walker, OF, Orioles Prospects, P, Pirates Prospects, RF, SP, Troy Patton | No Comments »
Sunday, March 2nd, 2008
- Southpaw Troy Patton was the best prospect to come to Baltimore in the Tejada trade. Patton’s now experiencing pain in his throwing shoulder, and has stopped pitching. The training staff needs to run some more tests, but it appears the Orioles will be faced with a decision between rehab or season-ending surgery.
- Top prospect C Matt Wieters was a big part of the O’s 9th inning comeback in today’s game. He beat out an infield single, and then scored the game-tying run on a double by Scott Moore. Wieters was 1-3 on the day, with one strikeout. Don’t look for Wieters to get the call-up before 2009.
- 19-year-old RHP Chris Tillman also pitched a scoreless inning. He did not allow a hit. This kid has filthy stuff, but is still probably two years away from joining the big league squad.
Tags: Chris Tillman, Matt Wieters, MLB Prospects, Orioles, Troy Patton
Posted in C, Chris Tillman, MLBPN Top Prospects, Matt Wieters, Orioles Prospects, P, Troy Patton | No Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
Tags: , Adam Jones, Alexei Ramirez, Anthony Reyes, Cubs, Fernando Martinez, Jed Lowrie, Joe Savery, Kosuke Fukudome, Mets, MLB Prospects, Nick Markakis, Orioles, Phillies, Red Sox, Reds, Scott Moore, White Sox
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, 2B, Alexei Ramirez, Cubs Prospects, Daily Pepper, Fernando Martinez, Jed Lowrie, Joe Savery, Kosuke Fukudome, Mets Prospects, Michael Bowden, OF, Orioles Prospects, P, Phillies Prospects, Red Sox Prospects, SP, SS, Scott Moore, White Sox Prospects | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
We covered the pitching prospects below, now we’ll cover the hitting prospects. As mentioned before, MiLB.com put together a compilation of the best Q&A’s from recent MLB.com Mailbags. The answers are provided by beat writers for each respective team. We’ve summarize some of the more juicy prospect news below:
- Colby Rasmus’ call-up could be delayed for business reasons. A few days ago we discussed how Evan Longoria is in the same position. The Cardinals could gain an extra year of free agency with a short delay, and avoid Super-Two status with a mid-season call-up.
- Dodgers’ SS prospect Chin-Lung Hu will more than likely start the season at Triple-A. But with Rafael Furcal’s contract up after this season, look for Hu to compete for that position next Spring.
- Giants’ IF prospect Eugenio Velez could steal a whole lot of bases if given the opportunity. Velez has 122 stolen bases between the past two seasons.
- The MLB.com author argues that the Braves might be better off keeping BA’s 70th ranked overall Brandon Jones (OF) at Triple-A this season. The thought is that allowing him to play every day will be better for his development than sticking him in a major league platoon with Matt Diaz.
- Jesus Flores has not lost his status as the Catcher of the future for the Nationals; the future has just gotten a little further away. It seems he will spend at least a portion of the season at Triple-A due to the signings of Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada.
- Nolan Reimold could see some playing time in Baltimore this season, just not in April. With CF and RF firmly occupied by Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, the only option for Reimold is in Left. Luke Scott will have to really struggle or get injured for the Orioles to make the call for Reimold this season.
- Look for Jed Lowrie to be this year’s version of Jacoby Ellsbury, a late season call-up with immediate impact. Lowrie is currently playing shortstop, but could probably play any infield position and “can flat-out hit”.
Tags: , Adam Jones, Brandon Jones, Braves, Cardinals, Chin-Lung Hu, Colby Rasmus, Dodgers, Eugenio Velez, Evan Longoria, Giants, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Jesus Flores, Johnny Estrada, Luke Scott, MLB Prospects, Nationals, Nick Markakis, Nolan Reimold, Orioles, Paul Lo Duca, Rafael Furcal, Red Sox
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, 2B, Brandon Jones, Braves Prospects, C, CF, Cardinals Prospects, Chin-Lung Hu, Colby Rasmus, Dodgers Prospects, Eugenio Velez, Evan Longoria, Giants Prospects, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Jesus Flores, LF, Nationals Prospects, Nolan Reimold, OF, Orioles Prospects, RF, Red Sox Prospects, SS | No Comments »
Sunday, February 24th, 2008
Orioles manager Dave Trembley is salivating at the thought of calling Matt Wieters up sooner rather than later. Trembley believes that at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, Wieters has all the tools to be great at the next level, “and he’s only going to get better.” Its just a matter of time before this fifth overall pick in last year’s draft starts dominating major leaguers, MLB.com’s Charlie Nobles reports. Unfortunately, its still probably a couple of years off. As long as Wieters keeps on doing all the right things, like getting to the field 2 hours before everyone else, and picking Ramon Hernandez’s brain (according to the Baltimore Sun) I don’t see any way this guy can be stopped.
Catch a glimpse of Wieters in this WBALTV (Baltimore) report.
Posted in C, Matt Wieters, Orioles Prospects | No Comments »
