Position Player of the Month: Caleb Joseph – C

.310/.357/.607 (26/84) with 10 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 6 BB, 21 K (AA)Caleb-Joseph-THUMB
Sometimes a player needs to simply relax. I was at Prince George’s Stadium during batting practice this month and overheard Joseph talking with some coaches about simply relaxing at the plate. They told him to enjoy the game and not think too seriously about each experience they have. It was an interesting conversation, and I could see a little of it portrayed in how Joseph has swung the bat this year. He seems to be a little more at ease, much looser, and his swing is a little quicker. It’s also important to note that he has not been catching much to start the year, as the Orioles clearly saw it important to get the bat back to where it was when he originally joined Bowie a few years ago. Joseph still has a chance to be a major league backup, but will need to rely more on his bat compared to others such as Brian Ward, whom can rely on defense and gamecalling.

Starting Pitcher of the Month: Tim Berry – LHP

5 GS, 28.0 IP, 3.21 ERA, 0.96 WHIP 23 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 2 HBP, 4 BB, 35 K (A+)Tim-Berry-THUMB
Tim Berry is a pitcher that must improve his command and control to pitch at the higher levels of the game. He has always shown flashes of brilliance, but was inconsistent with his command. Berry has really increased his change up use since his time in the lower minors, which you can read about in this interview by Jordan Tuwiner at Orioles Nation. From the reports I have been given, he has done a much better setting up his off-speed against his fastball this season, leading to some terrific peripherals. I have heard that the Curve has been extremely effective so far, which is a great sign. It’s still important for Berry to refine his command, but it’s encouraging to see a good start. The higher a pitcher gets, the more they realize how important command is. Berry has decent stuff for a LHP, but they won’t chase poorly commanded pitches at AA or even A+. If Berry keeps his production rolling, he will be in Bowie in no time.

Relief Pitcher of the Month: Miguel Chalas – RHPMiguel-Chalas

6 G, 16.1 IP, 1.65 ERA, 0.92 WHIP 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 18 K (A)
I originally went down to Delmarva for a Josh Hader start, but left very impressed with what I had seen from Chalas. Last season, he was in the rotation and was very inconsistent. He had mechanical issues, often opening up his side on his release. He just could not replicate his delivery and it fluctuated his command and performance. This season, Chalas looked much more comfortable in the pen, with much less movement on the mound and a little better command. It’s possible he may end up in the rotation at some point to stretch him out and get some more innings under his belt, but I think there was a clear sign of progression from the transition to a bullpen role. The numbers show it as well.

Other Notables:

Christian Walker – 1B(A) .360/.440/.512 (31/86) with 4 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 10 BB, 12 K
Wynston Sawyer – C(A) .351/.415/.474 (20/57) with 5 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 6 BB, 11 K, 1 SB
Joel Hutter – 3B/SS(A) .344/.390/.444 (30/91) with 5 2B, 2 3B, 11 RBI
Nick Delmonico – 1B/3B(A+) .325/.471/.600 (13/40) with 5 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 11 BB, 11 K
Buck Britton – 2B/OF(AA) .304/.350/.446 (28/92) with 7 2B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 7 BB, 10 K, 2 SB
Henry Urrutia – OF(AA) .286/.375/.543 (10/35) with 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 8 K
L.J. Hoes – OF(AAA) .282/.361/.388 (24/85) with 6 2B, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 10 BB, 12 K, 1 SB
Josh Hader – LHP(A) 4 GS, 20.2 IP, 1.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 12 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 2 HBP, 11 BB, 19 K
Matt Taylor – LHP(A) 4 GS, 16.2 IP, 1.62 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 12 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 12 BB, 19 K
Matt Hobgood – RHP(A) 7 G, 12.2 IP, 1.42 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HBP, 8 BB, 8 K
Zach Davies – RHP (A+) 5 GS, 27.2 IP, 4.23 ERA, 1.08 WHIP 24 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 1 HBP, 6 BB, 21 K
April 10 Game Scouting Report
Matt Bischoff – RHP (A+) 6 G, 1 GS, 15.0 IP, 0.87 WHIP, 12 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 1 HBP, 1 BB, 22 K
Kevin Gausman – RHP(AA) 5 GS, 28.2 IP, 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 31 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 2 HBP, 1 BB, 29 K
April 12 Game Scouting Report // April 17 Game Scouting Report
Jason Gurka – RHP(AA) 6 G, 13.0 IP, 2.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 14 K

Tucker Blair
Tucker Blair

Tucker Blair was born and raised in the Baltimore area and currently lives in Elkridge, Maryland. He graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a B.S in Entrepreneurial Studies and is currently a Project Analyst for a Management Consulting Firm in Federal Hill, Baltimore. Tucker was previously the Managing Editor at Orioles Nation, where he worked on prospect lists, reports, and analysis on the Orioles minor league system. He also previously wrote his personal blog, The EntreprenOriole.

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