Delmarva and Frederick had their All-Star Break, so it was a shortened week for the A and A+ affiliates. Also, keep in mind that the Gulf Coast League has started. I will provide some updates once they play more than two games.
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Position Player of the Week: Adrian Marin – SS
.571/.571/.786 (8/14) with 3 2B, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K (A)
You really haven’t heard much on the young shortstop this season, but he has held his ground in his first full season of professional baseball. He’s not rated plus in any aspect of the game, but he is solid in very many phases. He has a good approach for such a young age, even though the BB/K ratio might not display that. He takes compact and calm swings, which is great to see out of someone directly from high school. He has decent bat speed to go along with his line drive swing. I think there is a little room for some power down the road, but he is more of a gap-hitter at this stage of his career. Marin is very young and has a lot to work on, but he has been promising this season from the sources I have talked to. I like the fact that Marin has shown the he can probably stick as a Shortstop, and his agility and quickness has definitely become a strong-suit in his game. The defense is inconsistent at this time, but the ability is there. He’s a top 10 Orioles prospect at this stage, and it will be interesting to see how he does in the second half of the season.
Starting Pitcher of the Week: Sebastian Vader – RHP
2 GS, 13.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 13 K (A-)
I thought it was curious that Vader was sent back to Aberdeen this year. I thought he probably could have started the year out at Delmarva, and might have deserved it after his decent season there in 2012. Well, it didn’t take long for him to prove he probably is a little better than the NYPL. He’s had a good start to the season, throwing a complete gem in his second start. I wrote a little report after his first start, which you can read here.
Relief Pitcher of the Week: Michael Joseph – RHP
3 G, 7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K (A-)
He’s had a good first week with the Orioles. Here are my notes from Opening night at Aberdeen:
Very tall at 6’07”, lanky with mild room to fill out frame. Funky delivery with many moving parts, which is typical for a pitcher with such height. Delivery and leg push is stiff, doesn’t seem to get behind the ball too much, which makes it look like he is short-arming the ball to home. Has trouble repeating his delivery and arm slot, which once again…is tough to do for someone of such a large stature.
FB: 87-90 mph while touching 91. Fastball is inconsistent and a little straight.
CH: 75-76 mph with average fade.
CU: 66-68 mph with good spin. Very slow and more of a “get-me-over” pitch.
Arsenal is very spread out, but no pitch is better than average. Obviously, with the monstrous frame you hope that he can bolster up his stuff with some refined mechanics.
Other Notables:
Hector Veloz – 3B – (A-) .414/.452/.586 (12/29) with 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 BB, 10 K // Scouting Report
Connor Bierfeldt – OF – (A-) .250/.318/.550 (5/20) with 3 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K
Lucas Herbst – OF – (A) .353/.353/.471 (6/17) with 2 2B, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 SB
Henry Urrutia – OF – (AA) .353/.476/.588 (6/17) with 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 1 K
L.J. Hoes – OF – (AAA) .290/.405/.387 (9/31) with 3 2B, 1 RBI, 6 BB, 5 K
Stephen Brault – LHP – (A-) 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Janser Severino – RHP – (A-) 3 G, 7.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 11 K
Jimmy Yacabonis – RHP – (A-) 2 G, 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K // Scouting Report
Parker Bridwell – LHP – (A) 1 GS, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
Matt Taylor – RHP – (A) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Juan Guzman – RHP – (A) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Ashur Tolliver – LHP – (A) 1 G, 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Tim Berry – LHP – (A+) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Mike Wright – RHP – (AA) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Tyler Wilson – RHP – (AA) 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Eddie Gamboa – RHP – (AA) 2 GS, 14.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 12 K
Mike Belfiore – LHP – (AAA) 2 G, 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 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.