The Baltimore Orioles and minor league games are in full swing. Here is recapping the latest action around the system. Overall, as an organization, Baltimore’s minor league teams have won the least amount of games to start the season (22). However, they have hit a combined total of 35 home runs, placing them 8th among all organizations. As a side note, BSL analyst Zach Spedden and I have started a weekly podcast – The Verge which focuses exclusively on the Orioles MiLB system. Take a listen here or here via iTunes.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Tanner Scott – LHP, Frederick Keys (A+)
I had a chance to catch Scott last weekend against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Overall, the lefty reliever is pitching how I wrote up previous viewings to start the 2016 season. He was sitting 97-98 mph with his fastball (touched 99 mph) but had command issues. He flashed one 90 mph change-up and a few sliders with inconsistent release points. Although he had a few wild pitches and lacked command, the opposing hitters were not able to put good swings on his big fastball. For the season, Scott has struck out 9 hitters, but walked 10 in 8 2/3 innings.
Trey Mancini – 1B, Bowie Baysox (AA)
We covered Mancini and the tear he’s been on to start the 2016 season, after surprisingly being assigned back to AA. Since the last post, Mancini went 14 for 36 with 3 home runs and 4 doubles. However, the number that catches my eye is the 8 walks during the past 10 games. This is something that he needed to show he was capable of in order to develop to the next level. Overall, Mancini is hitting .353/.468/.784 with 6 home runs on the season. When is he promoted to Triple-A Norfolk? Your guess is good as mine at this point. Joey Terdoslavich is hitting .163/.300/.163 with zero extra base hits, so it’s just a matter of time before Mancini is promoted.
Donnie Hart – LHP, Bowie Baysox
I’ve been throwing gas on the Donnie Hart fire since I arrived at BSL, and he continues to produce despite not being a “top prospect”. He’s struck out 8 hitters in 5 appearances this season, and has yet to allow an earned run. He’s proving that he can face both RHH and LHH, as he’s struck out 6 right-handed hitters, but also allowed just one hit to left-handed hitters. He sits in the higher-80s with his fastball, but works well with his slider and change-up.
Alex Murphy – C, Delmarva Shorebirds (A)
Murphy, 21, is repeating the low-A level after finishing the 2015 season hitting .258/.328/.408. Early on, Murphy is showing strike out concerns (14 in 15 games) but is hitting .345/.387/.500, and is crushing LHP to the tune of .423/.483/.577 over 29 plate appearances. He’s also started 4 games at first base this season, which could indicate that he may be soon promoted to Frederick.
Jay Gonzalez – OF, Frederick Keys
Despite a weak lineup in Frederick, Jay Gonzalez is a bright spot. The 24-year-old outfielder already has 10 stolen bases (matching his 2015 total) and has not been caught on the bases yet. He has 5 extra base hits and can use his speed to turn routine singles into doubles and triples. I love the fact that he’s leading off in Frederick, as he goes against the prototypical mentality of “swing early” minor league hitter and is able to work the pitcher. The Baysox have a full outfield, but if someone is promoted to Norfolk, Gonzalez will get his chance.
*Stats as of 4/21/2016
Reggie Yinger has spent the parts of five seasons as a Player Development Coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles. He has extensive experience in computer programming and baseball.