Systems Audit: Baltimore
September 17, 2006
Systems Audit:
Baltimore Orioles
1. Brandon Erbe, RHP, A. Erbe has come on to be a steal of the 2005 draft after slipping to the 3rd round. He has shown a tremendous ability to throw three pitches for strikes and keep the ball down in the zone. He has only given up three home runs in 135 professional innings. He just needs to work on his command.
2. Hayden Penn, RHP, MLB. We know what he's got. He just needs to translate his skill into ML success. He's susceptible to the long ball and needs to work on being less hittable.
3. Billy Rowell, 3B, A-. He’s a good young kid who will develop into a good power hitter. 15 of his 50 hits went for doubles this year in Rookie ball. He’ll develop into a 3 true outcome hitter before too long.
4. Radhames Liz, SP, AA. He is a power pitcher to the T. Good K/9 but poor control leads to high BB/9 and many HRs. Needs to work on pitching down in the zone more.
5. Nolan Reimold, RF, A+. His major negative is the strikeout. His major positive is his walk rate. He'll make a fine regular some day but he doesn't have the upside to be ranked any higher.
6. Garrett Olson, LHP, AA. He has a great curveball. If he can add a plus fastball and a decent change he'll be a #2/3 in no time. The only real cause for concern at this point is that he gives up too many home runs which often come on hung curves. He needs to develop great consisetency with his pitches and he can move up this list.
7. Brandon Snyder, C, A. Strikes out way too much. Excellent defensive skills though.
8. Jeff Fiorentino, LF, AA. He compares favorably to Curtis Granderson. He needs to maintain, and maybe improve, his power, increase his walks and decrease his strkeouts and then he'll have a shot at a starting job. Otherwise, he'll be a useful 4th OF.
9. JJ Johnson, RHP, AA. He was the Carolina League pitcher of the year in 2005 but has not shown significant improvement. He's never been projected as much more than a #5 in his career but he's got the skill to pitch in the bigs if needed. He just doesn't have the skill to be effective in the bigs long term. He's got room to develop and needs to work on his command.
10. Ryan Keefer, RHP, AA. Good slider but lacks command with that, or any other pitch. He'll start in AAA next year but could be moved to the ML bullpen if necessary. He doesn't project well as a starter in the big leagues.
Flier: Val Majewski, RF, AAA. Missed last year due to an injury but has rebounded nicely. Has tremendous plate discipline and knows what he wants to do with pitches. Doesn't have the power you'd like to see out of a COF yet, but it may come.
Future Lineup
C: Brandon Snyder (2009)
1B: FA SIGNING
2B: Brian Roberts
3B: Billy Rowell (2009)
SS: Miguel Tejada
LF: Nick Reimold (2008)
CF: Corey Patterson
RF: Nick Markakis
DH: Jeff Fiorentino (2008)
Starting Pitchers
1: Erik Bedard
2: Brandon Erbe (2008)
3: Hayden Penn
4: Garrett Olson (2009)
5: Daniel Cabrera
Closer: Chris Ray
Setup: JJ Johnson, Adam Loewen
Long Relief: Radhames Liz, Ryan Keefer
The Orioles have some young position players up now. But that's about all they can expect for the time being. Their position players of note are young and years away. On the other hand they've got a slew of young pitchers that can and will help their rotation in the near future. Their problem is going to be finding the hitting to compete with the rest of the division.
System Grade: C+
Posted by Koby Schellenger: Sep 17 at 8:51 AM
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