Orioles prospect season in review: Cody Sedlock

Cody Sedlock – 22 years old and the Orioles 1^st round pick, number 27 overall, in the June 2016 Amateur Draft from the University of Illinois – just completed his second year in Baltimore’s system. 2017 was in the Carolina League with the Frederick Keys, following 2016 as a member the Aberdeen IronBirds in the New York-Penn League.

After a strong start to 2017, including his first professional win on April 8, it is safe to say this past the past season did not go as planned. On August 25, Sedlock was shut down and placed on the disabled list with what GM Dan Duquette described as a “muscle strain” with “tightness in his forearm.” Sedlock also spent time on the disabled list in June with a “right elbow flexor strain.”

Overall, it was a disappointing first full minor league season. With the Keys, despite being 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA at one point in April, Sedlock finished the season 4-5 overall with a 5.90 ERA in 20 games started. He gave up 119 hits and 11 homeruns in 90 innings pitched, for a WHIP of 1.722.

In an August interview with Joe Wedra at Camden Chat just before he was shut down, Sedlock indicated his arm felt fine.

“My arm feels great, back up to 100 percent,” Sedlock said. “It’s a really sweet feeling just knowing how I felt before and now being 100 percent feels a whole lot better. I was really working hard every day to get to full strength again and I think I’m there.”

He continued: “It feels great just because when I was stepping on that mound before, I didn’t feel like myself. To have the ball come out of my hand with more confidence and being at 100 percent, I can actually work on becoming the pitcher I know I can be. I wish I felt like this before obviously, but I’m excited to go out there, work on everything and become a better pitcher.”

In 2016, following the June draft, Sedlock started nine games for Aberdeen and was 0-1 with an ERA of 3.00 and 1.074 WHIP. He struck out 25 and held opponents to an average of .158. For his career at Aberdeen and Frederick, Sedlock is 4-6 with an ERA of 5.23. He’s started 29 games, had no relief appearances, and given up 135 hits in 117 innings pitched, with 94 strikeouts and a 1.573 WHIP. He started the year as the O’s #2 ranked prospect, but currently is trending down and slotting at #12.

Sedlock was a compensation pick for the O’s when they lost Wei-Yin Chen to the Miami Marlins and his scouting report notes that his “deep arsenal is headlined by his heavy fastball, which sits at 91-93 and reaches 96.” It adds that his “low-80’s slider is his best secondary offering…and he also demonstrates feel for both a curveball and changeup that have average potential.” His “delivery” and “makeup” and “competiveness” are also praised by Baltimore coaches and executives.

He also apparently is new to and enjoys crab cakes.

Given his struggles and injuries, indications are that Sedlock will start 2018 with another tour at Frederick. Here’s hoping the arm issues are behind him and his third season in professional baseball is full of strides toward playing at Camden Yards.

Tomorrow: Anthony Santander