Position Player of the Week: Wynston Sawyer – C
.375/.444/.583 (9/24) with 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 5 K (A-)
Sawyer is repeating the South Atlantic League, but this is mainly due to not getting substantial playing time with Gabriel Lino and Michael Ohlman ahead of him last season. Sawyer started to show signs late last season when he was able to play every day, and is now the Shorebirds starting Catcher. He has a decent stick, with some raw power and above average bat speed, but there is still some room left for growth. It’s really important that these raw skills begin to show in games. Maybe we are starting to see that. Overall, it’s nice to see Sawyer have a good beginning to the season as a full-time starter
Starting Pitcher of the Week: Kevin Gausman – RHP
6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K (AA)
Gausman was electric in his start against the Akron Aeros. He was dealing with a blister in his start prior to this, which may have been reason why the line was sub-par. I was there in person to watch his start on opening night, and he was able to show exactly why the Orioles took him with the 4th overall selection in the 2012 draft. Make sure to read my Game Scouting Report.
Relief Pitcher of the Week: Matt Hobgood – RHP
2 G, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K (A-)
It’s been a great start to the season for the former first round selection. He has yet to give up a run, and the reports say he has been clocked mostly around 90-92 MPH with his fastball. The most important aspect is that Hobgood has been able to finally get on the mound and show some form of success.
Other Notables:
Mychael Givens – RHP – (A-) 2 G, 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Josh Hader – LHP – (A-) 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
Zach Davies – RHP – (A+) 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. Game Scouting Report from 4/9/13
Tim Berry – LHP – (A+) 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Trent Howard – LHP – 2 G, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
Devin Jones – RHP – (AA) 6.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Christian Walker – 1B – (A-) .393/.485/.607 (11/28) with 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K
Nick Delmonico – 3B – (A+) .400/.526/.533 (6/15) with 2 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K
L.J. Hoes – OF – (AAA) .304/.385/.478 (7/23) with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K
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.