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Position Player of the Week: L.J. Hoes – OF
.391/.482/.565 (9/23) with 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K (AAA
)
Mr. Hoes has been sneaky good this season. He continues to show great discipline at the plate, with an overall approach that is certainly major league-ready. Hoes may not be flashy with the bat and may not hit for a ton of power, but he knows how to work a pitcher and find a way on base. If he continues to show success, I would not be surprised to see him in Baltimore by mid-summer. The Orioles seem to have a revolving door for their last five 25-man spots, so he could easily fit right in.
Starting Pitcher of the Week: Devin Jones – RHP
2 GS, 14.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 11 K (AA)
There were at least five pitchers I could have chosen this week, but Jones made two strong starts. He has some solid life on his pitches, with his two-seam naturally sinking. When Jones is on his best game, he works fast and induces rollovers. I initially thought his stuff would not play up in the rotation as it did in the pen, but I have been very wrong so far. The secondary arsenal is still a work-in-progress, but Jones has certainly raised his stock. I think we can see why the Orioles moved him to Bowie so quickly. Keep an eye on Jones as he continues to pitch at Bowie this year. I expect him to be there the rest of the season, but he could move himself into the Orioles plans for next season.
Relief Pitcher of the Week: Jason Gurka – LHP
2 G, 5.0 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K (AA)
Here is another pitcher that is flying under the radar. Gurka has been called a LOOGY to me in the past, and that may have some merit. I’ve seen him sit 90-92 with his fastball, and it does have some decent depth and sink on it. He’s absolutely on fire for Bowie this year. The biggest factor is that he is missing bats, and not only just left-handed bats. He has risen his stock the past two years, and the Orioles surely have him on their radar. There is not an inherent need for a LOOGY in Baltimore at the time, but we know that bullpens are constantly changing.
Other Notables:
Lucas Herbst – OF – (A) .333/.345/.481 (9/27) with 2 3B, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K
Adrian Marin – SS – (A) .400/.480/.550 (8/20) with 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 8 K, 1 SB
Nick Delmonico – 3B – (A+) .350/.480/.600 (7/20) with 2 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 5 K
John Ruettiger – OF – (A+) .462/.483/.462 (12/26) with 5 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K, 4 SB
Jerome Pena – 2B – (A+) .333/.455/.389 (6/18) with 1 2B, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 7 K
Henry Urrutia – OF – (AA) .353/.476/.706 (6/17) with 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K
Ty Kelly – 3B – (AA) .364/.482/.682 (8/22) with 3 2B, 8 RBI, 5 BB, 3 K, 1 SB
Brady Wager – RHP – (A) 2 GS, 13.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 11 K
Josh Hader – LHP – (A) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 9 K
Branden Kline – RHP – (A) 1 GS, 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 13 K
Jose Nivar – RHP – (A) 3 G, 3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
Lex Rutledge – LHP – (A) 1 G, 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Zach Davies – RHP – (A+) 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 11 K
Eduardo Rodriguez – LHP – (A+) 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 10 K
Tyler Wilson – RHP – (A+) 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Jesse Beal – RHP – (A+) 1 G, 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Kevin Gausman – RHP – (AA) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K
Mike Wright – RHP – (AA) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 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.