(Discuss this article on the BSL Message Board here)
It was a fairly slow week for the Orioles’ affiliates. Nothing entirely exciting went on at the tail end of the month. On a positive note, the two DSL Orioles teams officially started playing. One player to watch: OF Daniel Franco.
Position Player of the Week: Michael Ohlman – C
.375/.520/.708 (9/24) with 1 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 7 BB, 6 K, 1 SB (A+)
Ohlman has evolved greatly in the past year. Last season was a huge step in the right direction, and he has shown more flashes of success in 2013. While he missed some more time due to injury this year, he has come back strong this week. He is driving the ball, using his quick load and strong bottom half as a springboard for power. The bat-speed is pretty good for a catcher, and he has even improved some behind the plate from what a scout has told me. He will be in Frederick all year, but he is on the rise and a good catching prospect in a system that is relatively thin at the position.
Starting Pitcher of the Week: Eduardo Rodriguez – LHP
1 GS, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K (A+)
I discussed Rodriguez in the May Players of the Month
Relief Pitcher of the Week: Mike Belfiore – LHP
2 G, 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K (AAA)
I discussed Belfiore in the May Players of the Month
Other Notables:
Adrian Marin – SS – (A) .368/.400/.526 (7/19) with 3 2B, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 SB
Christian Walker – 1B – (A+) .320/.371/.469 (10/32) with 5 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K
Johnny Ruettiger – OF – (A+) .310/.333/.345 (9/29) with 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 SB
Henry Urrutia – OF – (AA) .391/.417/.391 (9/23) with 2 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K
Ty Kelly – 2B/3B – (AA) .379/.406/.517 (11/29) with 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 SB
Lex Rutledge – LHP – (A) 2 G, 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Trent Howard – LHP – (A+) 2 G, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K
Marcel Prado – RHP – (A+) 3 G, 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
Clay Schrader – RHP – (AA) 2 G, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 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.