Wanted to share some of my Orioles scouting reports that I have written for my website.

 

Brian Matusz: Regarded as the top pitcher in the 2008 class, Matusz was drafted by the Orioles 4th overall. The Orioles organization continued their willingness to spend money in the draft as they need to do this to be a competitive team. Matusz breezed through the minor leagues in 2009, eventually making his MLB debut with the Orioles. He demonstrated elite command in the minors and that should carry over to the major leagues along with his ability to strikeout batters and get ground balls.

Matusz should be a lock to make the Orioles opening day rotation in 2010.  Matusz has potential to be a #1 starter in the MLB and should emerge as the leader of the Baltimore rotation by 2011. He is still eligible as a 2010 rookie and I see him as the front runner for AL rookie of the year.

Scouting: Matusz has a unique set of pitches, not many pitchers come into pro ball with his type of secondary stuff. His curveball is his best pitch and he can command it to both sides of the plate. His change up is also an above average pitch. His fast ball works in the 90-92 mph range, sometimes touching 94 mph. He also has an average slider. He needs to establish his fastball better, in order for his other pitches to work more effectively. He tends to lean away from his fastball at times.

More after the jump.

Zach Britton: Zach Britton exploded onto the scene with Frederick in 2009. His amazing combination of strikeouts (8.42 K/9 IP) and ground balls (3.40 GO/FO) gives him the ability to get batters out quickly, and use less pitches. He has also improved his strikeout rate every year that he has been in the minor leagues. Britton has decent command at 3.54 BB/9 IP, and keeps the ball in the park, allowing just .39 HR/9 IP while holding opposing batters to only a .238 average.

Britton has the makeup of an excellent big league starter who I compare to Justin Masterson. Britton has the potential of a #2 starter, and I can definitely see him reaching that potential.

Scouting: Britton is known as a ground ball pitcher. His fastball sits in the 88-91 range. He has a nice sinker/slider combo. He gets a lot of ground balls shown by his 3.40 GO/FO ratio this season. He has an inconsistent change up, but it is improving. He needs to improve his command, and throw more strikes. He has a frame to which he could get bigger, which could help his velocity.

 

Jake Arrieta: The 2007 draft was huge for the Orioles’ organization. The Orioles finally decided to spend money on the players they wanted in the draft. The Orioles signed Arrieta to an over slot bonus for $1.1 million. Arrieta throws a great fastball, and also has a curve, slider, and change up in his arsenal. He dominated at Double A Bowie, and got called up to Triple A Norfolk. Arrieta had some rough starts at first, but settled in and finished with a solid 3.93 ERA.

I believed that Arrieta had the chance to be better than Matusz and Tillman, but I do not see that anymore. I think Arrieta will settle in nicely as a #3 starter behind Tillman and Matusz. Arrieta does still have potential to be a front of the rotation starter, but I still see him turning out to be an above average #3 starter.

Scouting: He is currently playing at AAA Norfolk. Arrieta will be the last of the "Big Three" to reach the big leagues. Although he has potential to be the best out of any of the three (Matusz and Tillman). He has a great fastball which he can command which can reach 96-97 MPH. He has a slow big breaking curveball which he needs to work on. His slider could end up being his best pitch and it has lots of potential. His change up should become better as he uses it more.

Josh Bell: Josh Bell came to the Orioles in the trade for George Sherrill. Bell is a switch hitter, power third basemen. Bell has tremendous bat speed from both sides of the plate. Bell struggles against lefties, and tends to lift the ball as a right handed hitter. With Bowie in 2009 Bell hit .353 against righties, but only .143 against lefties. I would like to see bell trying some at bats against lefties, as a left handed hitter. This would tell me if Bell should stick with switch hitting or not.

Bell should make his MLB debut in 2010 with the Orioles. He has a slight chance to make the opening day roster, but I do not see that happening. Bell was just added to the Orioles’ 40-man roster which is a good sign that he will see some MLB playing time this year. Bell has 25-30 home runs power potential with the ability to hit .260-.280 annually.

Scouting: Bell has lots of raw power, and has a nice swing with good leverage.  He uses the whole field. He has some defensive concerns at third due  to his range but does have an above average arm. He has recently been  more dedicated to his career. Bell should turn out to be a middle of  the order bat if he reaches his ceiling.

Brandon Erbe: Brandon Erbe has really become one of my favorite Oriole prospects. I really believe that Erbe will sort out his problems and become a major leaguer. Or should I say problem. Erbe really only has one major problem, which is his command. If he can sort his command out he really has loads of potential and a very high ceiling.

Erbe should start 2010 with Triple A Norfolk, if he performs well there he could be in Baltimore by mid-2010 as a middle reliever. Erbe has the potential to be a #2 started if he can sort out his command issues. He was placed on the 40-man roster for the Orioles.

Scouting: Erbe greatly improved in two back to back years at High A Frederick.  He improved his ERA by almost 2 runs. His change up needs improvement  and is still an average pitch. He has improved his command but still  leaves the ball up evidenced by his 21 home runs given up in 2008. His  fastball can reach the mid 90's but he generally works in the low 90's. His slider should become a plus pitch if he continues to develop it.

More reports to come later........