Orioles prospects 7/15: Last year’s draft picks show off

Durham (Rays) 4, Norfolk Tides 0

The state of pitching in the Orioles high minors is such that giving up only four runs in a game almost feels like a victory. It wasn’t a victory, of course, because Tyler Wilson gave up those four runs in five innings pitched, and the Tides batters only safely reached base four times in the entire game.

The Tides are 38-55. It’s not an accident.

Altoona (Phillies) 7, Bowie Baysox 6 (13 innings)

Bowie caught on fire and scored five runs in the ninth inning of the game, which actually put them in a position to win it before Maryland’s own Ryan Meisinger blew the save by giving up two runs in the bottom of the inning. Whoops! The Baysox had their share of chances in the game, picking up 12 hits, but they were just 2-14 with runners in scoring position.

Jesus Liranzo was the Baysox starting pitcher in one of his Tanner Scott-esque planned three inning starts. He held the Curve to just one hit in three innings pitched, but the one hit was a home run.

Buies Creek (Astros) 6, Frederick Keys 2

The Keys came up against a top 100 pitching prospect, Forrest Whitley, and things did not go well for them. They struck out 10 times as Whitley pitched 5.2 innings.

After Whitley was out, the Keys were able to get a little bit going, but not much. Outfielder Randolph Gassaway was 2-4 and drove in a run. The Keys committed three errors, including one by shortstop Ryan Mountcastle. The O’s shortstop prospect came out of the game in the fifth inning after committing an error in the fourth inning. I’m not sure if these were related.

Delmarva Shorebirds 3, Rome (Braves) 0

The Shorebirds out-hit the Braves, 10-3, and none of the Braves hits went for extra bases. That’s a good way to win a game.

Starting pitcher Matthias Dietz kept Rome in check for six innings, giving up just three hits and a walk. Dietz threw just 81 pitches in six innings, so that’s a solid outing indeed.

Aberdeen IronBirds 8, Connecticut (Tigers) 1

One good story from the early parts of the season for Aberdeen has been starting pitcher Brenan Hanifee, the fourth round pick last year. Hanifee held the Tigers to just one unearned run in six innings for the IronBirds, striking out seven. Awesome. He has a 1.61 ERA through five starts and tossed just 80 pitches before being lifted in this game.

Complete box scores from Saturday’s games, including the adventures of the GCL Orioles, can be found here.

Sunday’s Scheduled Games

• Norfolk: vs. Durham, 4:05. Starter: Chris Lee
• Bowie: at Altoona, 6:00. Starter: Tanner Scott
• Frederick: at Down East, 4:00. Starter: Brian Gonzalez
• Delmarva: vs. Rome, 5:05. Starter: Jhon Peluffo
• Aberdeen: vs. Connecticut, 5:35. Starter: TBD