O's in the Winter Leagues

by Stacey on Oct 21, 2009 10:03 AM EDT in Minor Leagues Comment 14 comments

duck has been linking to them in most of our daily open threads, but if you haven't been reading Dean Jones, Jr.'s daily AFL recaps, you're missing out on a lot of good information on the O's young prospects. I have it added to my google reader so I don't miss the updates.

The AFL has been going for about a week now and the Orioles hitters are putting together a very strong showing so far. Josh Bell has especially done well, going 8 for 15 with 3 doubles, a triple, and 3 walks. And while it's obviously a very small sample size, it's encouraging to see that he's hit well from both sides of the plate. Brandon Snyder has also gotten off to a good start with 9 hits in 22 at bats, including a double and a home run. Outfielder Matt Angle has added 5 hits in 17 at bats with 2 doubles, 3 walks, and 3 stolen bases. Only Brandon Waring has gotten off to a slow start, with 3 hits against 7 strike outs.

The Orioles' young pitchers have pitched a total of 12.1 innings with mixed results. Brandon Erbe has been perfect in one 2 inning appearance in which he struck out two. Reliever Josh Perrault has also looked good, making three appearances for a total of 3.1 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 run. Eddie Gamboa has pitched just one game, giving up 2 runs with a home run in 2.1 innings. Ryohei Tanaka has had the least success, as in 5 innings over 2 games he's allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, allowing two home runs. Encouraging for the pitchers is they have racked up 12 strikes outs to just 3 total walks.

In addition to the AFL, there are players from the O's organization playing in the Caribbean Winter Leagues, although really only two worth noting at this point. Dennis Sarfate, who is playing for the Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League, has pitched in 4 games as the closer and hasn't allowed a run in 5.1 innings. He has 6 strike outs and 1 walk. The Dominican Winter League started yesterday, where Felix Pie is playing outfield for the Tigres del Licey (a team managed by Dave Jauss). It'll be fun to see how he does.

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Very cool

Thanks for summarizing this for those of us too lazy to look at the updates.

Sarfate is intriguing. If he can get his arm strength back up he could be a useful member of the BP next year.

by O'sFan21 on Oct 21, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The great thing about the off-season

Is that we can immediately switch to optimism mode. Josh Bell, 2010 rookie of the year!

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Oct 21, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brian Matusz

2010 Rookie of the Year!

by NewYorkOriole on Oct 21, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His is eligible....

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Oct 21, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First or third?

Since the acquisition of Josh Bell, it has been pretty clear that the organization is hopeful that he is the third baseman of the future. This much is evident.

What I don’t understand in the bouncing around of both Brandons between first and third. Both Waring and Snyder have seen playing time at each of the corner infield spots. This is confusing considering Bell seems to have the nod at third, and the Brandons both need plenty of work defensively at first.

In an ideal world, all three would pan out and we could have two corner infielders and a DH that can back them up. However, I feel like there will be an odd man out…either due to performance or a lack of somewhere to put them.

Whatever scenario proves true, let’s hope it happens sooner than later. Another year of Ty Wigginton and (insert futile first baseman here) might drive me bananas…

by sickuvitall on Oct 21, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Somebody's got play third at Norfolk next year.

Also, guys that can play both corners are useful, like Huff, younger Millar, Wiggy, etc.

"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year

by getxstoked on Oct 21, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget about That Fuckin' Guy Yuck up in PHN.

by O'sFan21 on Oct 21, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Problem(s)

1. None of these players are known as rock solid defenders, so trying to master two positions when you don’t yet have one seems silly.

2. Brandon Waring is not “quick” enough for third base.

3. Brandon Snyder has already tried and somewhat failed at third base.

I think you will see Bell at 3B and Snyder at 1B in Norfolk, and Waring at 1B in Bowie. Although I read in an article in one of the Bird Droppings that said something about trying Bill Rowell at 1B in Bowie next year…which would be absolutely ridiculous and undeserved.

by sickuvitall on Oct 21, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think with Rowell

they’re at the point to throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks. I hadn’t heard about him moving to Bowie, though.

Some Day, Matt Wieters Will Make The Cooperstown Crowd Laugh By Talking About The Time He Batted Behind Melvin Mora And Luke Scott. -Keith Law via Matt Wieters Facts

by Stacey on Oct 21, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Andy Mac said

that Rowell needed “a change of scenery”, but that a demotion to Delmarva is not the answer. That leaves only two real options: move him or promote him to Bowie.

I wish I could remember specifically where I read the first base thing, but I have the memory of a fish…

by sickuvitall on Oct 22, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rowell is a lost cause

and at this point needs to EARN a starting spot on any Orioles farm team. He is, as is always pointed out, still quite young and has talent. So, I would send him to some other system to see if he can mature and develop on their patience. Our patience has been used up. Package him along with the rest of the trade bait the Orioles are using to find a 1B. " You can have pitcher A, hitter B and a minor leaguer of your choice, but you have to take Rowell, too".

by fuddnelson on Oct 22, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bell, versus lefties

I think that has go to be the best news of the fall. Obviously it’s only a couple ABs, but hopefully it bodes will for next year in Norfolk. I wonder if the Orioles will just not do anything at third and let Wigginton be the stop gap…

Thanks for the update, btw!

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Oct 22, 2009 3:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Bell IS the plan

and Wiggy is the stopgap. If Bell hits at Norfolk in the spring, they’ll bring him up in May like they did with Weitters.

by fuddnelson on Oct 22, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wigginton

I’d be disappointed if he was the stopgap. I think MacPhail can easily get Beltre to sign a one year plus an option (with a nice buy out) this offseason. Best case scenario Beltre builds up value while Bell demonstrates that he can hit lefties and Beltre is traded in the July. Or perhaps Bell shows that he needs more time, and you have what could be a decent 3B for two years.

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Oct 23, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs