End Of Season Review: GCL Orioles

The GCL (Gulf Coast League) Orioles play in sunny Sarasota, FL and this year they finished with an even 30-30 won-loss record, good for 2nd place in the GCL South Division. Below is a table I constructed highlighting the top five performers (that qualify) in various hitting and pitching categories. Below that, I list my personal top five prospects that played for this team that you should keep an eye on going forward.

(Note: The minimum at bats for hitters is 85. Minimum innings pitched for pitchers is 13)

Rank	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
1	Chance Sisco .371	Andrickson Zorilla 3	Ronarsy Ledesma 28	Chance Sisco .475	Chance Sisco .464
2	Oswill Lartiguez .284	J. Schoop (Rehab) 3	Jesus Martinez 21	Justin Viele .406	Ronarsy Ledesma .400
3	Justin Viele .273	Jesus Martinez 2	Andrickson Zorilla 18	Alex Murphy .330	Alex Murphy .363
4	Ronarsy Ledesma .258	Justin Viele 2	Yariel Vargas 14	Andrickson Zorilla .323	Justin Viele .354
5	Randolph Gassaway .242	Ronarsy ledesma 2	Justin Viele 14	Ronarsy Ledesma .319	Oswill Lartiguez .353

Rank	W	ERA	K/9	WHIP	FIP
1	Garrett Cortright 5	Garrett Cortright 1.11	Dioni Dominguez 12.56	Stefan Crichton 0.70	Hunter Harvey 0.95
2	Caleb Kellogg 4	Dioni Dominguez 1.26	Hunter Harvey 12.15	Hunter Harvey 0.90	Jon Keller 1.44
3	Stefan Crichton 3	Hunter Harvey 1.35	Stephen Tarpley 10.71	Dariel Delgado 0.97	Stephen Tarpley 1.53
4	Augey Bill 3	Stefan Crichton 1.96	Yi-Hsiang Lin 10.67	Jonatan Isenia 1.08	Caleb Kellogg 2.23
5	Dariel Delgado 3	Stephen Tarpley 2.14	Jon Keller 10.57	Caleb Kellogg 1.09	Stefan Crichton 2.46

Instant Analysis (Hitters): As you can see, this was a the Chance Sisco show down in the GCL on offense in 2013.

– But, if we remove him from the equation, you see a mediocre, underwhelming group of statistical “leaders” on the GCL front. What’s most disappointing about the underwhelming group of stat leaders is that the Orioles supplemental 1st rounder Josh Hart couldn’t crack the Top Five in any of the above categories.

– In other words, Josh Hart isn’t off to the kind of start we were hoping to see to start out his professional career. None the less, he’s still a solid prospect and ranks as the top positional player prospect from this year’s GCL squad to follow going forward.

– Chance Sisco is a close second. If he hits anything close to this at Delmarva next year and more importantly earns the organization’s trust as a guy that can stick at catcher, he will surpass Hart in prospect status (in my eyes at least).

– I have faith that Hart will make adjustments and put up a better offensive showing in the future. However, his lack of power production was a concern for me on draft day and is an even bigger concern for me now. Will he develop it? Stay tuned.

Instant Analysis (Pitchers): The pitchers, on the other hand, put together some impressive numbers this summer which fits the usual trend that the GCL is a pitching friendly league. It’s very encouraging to see the Orioles 1st and 3rd rounders Hunter Harvey and Stephen Tarpley off to a great start in their young careers. Not surprisingly, they rate as the GCL team’s top two pitching prospects to follow next year.

– Dioni Dominguez is also intriguing as a hard throwing reliever but with walk troubles. Caleb Kellogg also looks like an intriguing relief prospect to follow with a solid low 90’s two seamer and a good slider.

– Garrett Cortright had a real nice season and looks like a solid organizational pitcher which would be a great find in the 40th round out of Canisius. The same can be said for Stefan Crichton.

– Jon Keller has the durable starters frame and a lively fastball and put up good numbers in the GCL as well. The key for him will be developing his below average secondaries and improving his command.

– Jake Bray only pitched 12 innings but I like the reports I’ve heard about his fastball and slider and he’s a great athlete who doubled as a third basemen at his community college. I have him rounding out the top five prospects listed below.

– Overall, there’s a nice collection of young pitching talent follow from this year’s GCL squad.

Top Five GCL Prospects

5) Jake Bray – RHP

4) Stephen Tarpley – LHP

3) Chance Sisco – C

2) Josh Hart – CF

1) Hunter Harvey – RHP

Other Names To Watch/ Travis Seabrooke – LHP, Caleb Kellogg – RHP, Jonah Heim – C, Alex Murphy – C, Jon Keller – RHP

The Official Official Orioles 2013 Draft Class

Here’s a list of all 41 draftees selected by the Baltimore Orioles (UPDATED: July 28)

Profiles Yet to be completed: Dosch, Keller, Crichton, Castagnini, Ayers, Homick, Viele

1) Hunter Harvey – RHP – Bandys HS (North Carolina) – signed

1A) Josh Hart – CF – Parkview HS (Georgia) – signed

2) Chance Sisco – C – Corona Santiago HS (California) – signed

3) Stephen Tarpley – LHP – Scottsdale CC (Arizona) – signed

4) Jonah Heim – C –  – Amherst HS – (New York) – signed

5) Travis Seabrooke – LHP – Crestwood SS (Canada) – signed

6) Alex Murphy – C – Calvert Hall HS – signed

7) Drew Dosch – 3B – Youngstown State – signed

8) Trey Mancini – 1B – Notre Dame – signed

9) Mitch Horacek – LHP – Dartmouth – signed

10) Austin Wynns – C – Fresno State – signed

11) Steven Brault – LHP – Regis U – signed

12) Jake Bray – RHP –  Feather River College (CA) – signed

13) Jimmy Yacabonis – RHP – St. Joseph’s – signed

14) Mike Yastrzemski – RF – Vanderbilt – signed

15) Tyler Walsh – SS – Mater Dei High School (IN) – DID NOT SIGN

16) Randolph Gassaway – 1B – Riverwood HS (GA) – signed

17) Caleb Kellogg – RHP – Tampa – signed

18) Reed Reilly – RHP – Cal Poly – DID NOT SIGN

19) Dylan Rheault – RHP – Central Michigan – signed

20) Nick Cunningham – RHP – Arizona – signed

21) Levi Scott – 1B – Howard Col (TX) – DID NOT SIGN

22) Jon Keller – RHP – Tampa – signed

23) Stefan Crichton – RHP – TCU – signed

24) Jared Breen – SS – Belmont – signed

25) Daniel Ayers – LHP – Columbus North HS (IN) – signed

26) Layne Bruner – LHP – Montesano HS (WA) – DID NOT SIGN

27) Donnie Hart – LHP – Texas State – signed

28) Robert Tyler – RHP – Crisp County HS (GA) – DID NOT SIGN

29) Connor Bierfeldt – OF – Western Connecticut State – signed

30) Federico Castagnini – SS – Creighton – signed

31) Dustin Hagy – RHP – Trinity HS (FL) – DID NOT SIGN

32) Max Homick – LHP – San Diego – signed

33) Jeff Kemp – SS – Radford – signed

34) Parker Bugg – RHP – Rancho Bernardo HS (CA)

35) DJ McKnight – CF – Madison HS (FL)

36) Eric Green – LHP – Embry-Riddle – signed

37) Justin Viele – SS – Santa Clara – signed

38) Conor Harber – RF – Western Nevada Col.

39) Augey Bill – LHP – Arizona – signed

40) Garrett Cortright – RHP – Canisius – signed

Mid-Season Update: Orioles Top 20 Prospects

I’ve been getting ‘the itch’ for a while to put together an updated Top 20 list. Rather than buy some Gold Bond (Insert tm symbol here), I decided the time is ripe to finally publish a new and improved Top 20 Orioles prospect list. I’m not just saying “new and improved” for poops and gigs either. The Orioles minor leagues, in my opinion, is new and improved when you consider the breakthrough performances from guys like Josh Hader, Henry Urrutia, and Michael Ohlman. Spoiler Alert: All three will be in the Top Ten.

Now, for my preseason list, I made a separate post for EACH prospect I ranked in my Top 20. That’s not how things will work this time. That’s just too time consuming. I will simply post all 20 names right in this here post with a little bit of stats, info and commentary and that’s it. I’ll do the same thing at the end of the season. I only do the hardcore, in-depth list in FEB-APRIL in anticipation of the upcoming season. Make sense?

Ok, before I begin naming names here, I should first mention that the stats provided are through July 19 and while Kevin Gausman hasn’t exceeded his rookie innings limit yet, I’m still keeping him off the list because I think that will happen before the end of the season

1. Dylan Bundy – RHP – Bowie Baysox (AA)

	Born: 11/15/92	Age: 20
	Height: 6’1″	Weight: 200 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 1	HS: Owasso (OK)
	Drafted: 1st Round, 2013	Signing Bonus: $4,000,000
	Yes, Bundy remains the top prospect in the organization despite an incredibly disappointing season where he never set foot on the mound in the minors, ultimately hearing the news no one wants to hear this June when he was informed he needed Tommy John surgery. People tend to think optimistically about pitchers returning to the mound as strong, sometimes even stronger prior to surgery. The success rate is higher than it used to be but it is still not a given that Bundy will return to previous form. Considering he entered the year as one of, if not the most, highly touted pitching prospects in the minors, we can only hope he makes a speedy recovery and regains the promise he has held as a potential ace.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

2. Jonathan Schoop – 2B – Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Photo From: Milb.com	Born: 10/16/91	Age: 21
	Height: 6’2″	Weight: 210 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 3	Hometown: Willemstad, Curacao
	Signed: FA, Curacao, 2010	Signing Bonus: (Approx.) $150,000
	Jonathan Schoop began the season ice cold in April, causing many prospect junkies to question his aggressive promotion to AAA. He caught fire in May, putting those questions to rest. Just when rumblings of him possibly coming up to play 2B for the O’s started to surface, Schoop (pronounced Scope; Yes, I hate the correct pronunciation too) went down with a hammy injury that has sidelined him since late May. He has finally returned to the field where he is currently on rehab assignment down with the GCL Orioles. After showing those schlubs how it’s done, Schoop should be returning to the Norfolk lineup soon. I also wouldn’t rule out a September callup to Baltimore to get his feet wet in the majors as he prepares to dispose of Brian Roberts as the Orioles future regular second baseman. If he pans out, I see Schoop becoming a similar player to Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
40	.283	145	41	5	25	8	0	13	29	.352	.441	.793

3. Eduardo Rodriguez – LHP – Bowie Baysox (AA)

Photo Courtesy of: Frederick Keys	Born: 4/07/93	Age: 20
	Height: 6’3″	Weight: 195 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 4	Hometown:
	Signed: FA, Venezuela, 2010	Signing Bonus: $175,000
	Fresh off a scoreless outing in the Future’s Game and a #44 ranking on Keith Law’s updated Top 50 Prospects, and – oh did, I mention – a (fairly) recent promotion to AA, I’d say E-Rod has exceeded expectations this year. He’s finally gaining deserved national recognition as a talented lefty with mid rotation potential and an advanced feel for command and control of his pitches. Said pitches consist of a running fastball that sits in the 91-93 MPH range, a potential outpitch changeup (mid-to-upper 80’s) that has splitter-esque taling action on it and a solid low 80’s slider. Just 20 years old, he’s advanced beyond his years and if his stuff continues to show growth, he has #2/#3 starter upside in the big leagues.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
17	6	6	3.20	101.1	91	6	35	85	1.29	.241

4. Hunter Harvey – RHP – GCL Orioles (R)

Photo From: Charlotte Observer	Born: 5/23/95	Age: 18
	Height: 6’3″	Weight: 195 lbs
	Bats/Throws: R/R	HS: Bandys (NC)
	Drafted: 1st Round, 2013	Signing Bonus: $1,947,600
	Now that he is officially signed as an Oriole, Harvey makes his debut at number 4 on the Top 20 prospect list. Some might say this is a somewhat aggressive franking for a talented but inexperienced high school arm. This should tell you how confident I about Harvey developing into a legit major league arm down the road as he matures and refines his command. One scout, Steve Bernhardt of Baseball Factory, sees similarities between Harvey and Kevin Gausman when Gausman was in high school, which he breaks down in this video. I expect him to become that kind of prospect in 3-4 years, possibly sooner. He made his debut today pitching a scoreless inning with a strikeout.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

5. Nick Delmonico – 3B – Frederick Keys (A+)

Bats/Throws: L/R

Photo From: Go Sports Cards	Born: 7/12/92	Age: 21
	Height: 6’3″	Weight: 195 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 6	HS: Farragut (TN)
	Drafted: 6th Round, 2011	Signing Bonus: $1,600,000
	I’ve been impressed with Delmonico’s hitting ability and encouraged by the increased power production. Hopefully, he’s shown enough defensively to remain at third base. As of now, Delmonico is on the fringe for Top 100 prospect discussion with the main drawback being that he’s not a lock to remain a third basemen longterm. If or when he moves off the hot corner, first base is his likely destination and I’m not sold his bat will be any more than league average – by first base standards – in the majors unless he continues to develop more in game power.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
56	.254	209	53	13	30	11	0	34	54	.361	.493	.853

6. Henry Urrutia – LF – Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Bats/Throws: L/R

Photo By: Daniel Kucin	Born: 5/23/87	Age: 26
	Height: 6’5″	Weight: 200 lbs
	Preseason Rank: HM	HS: Bandys (NC)
	Signed: FA, Cuba, 2012	Signing Bonus: (Approx.) $800,000
	Hammerin Hank, they call him, has announced to the world he is legit with a thunderous debut season at Bowie. Everyone focuses their Cuban defector attention on Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig, but if Henry continues to mash like this in the majors, he’ll deserve his fare share of the attention too. So why is not as highly thought of as those two were? Henry’s not the same type of five tool athlete those two are. He’s a below average runner and may be limited to a LF defensively although he has enough arm strength to play RF in a pinch. The defensive limitations will put pressure on him to perform with the bat – and I don’t doubt he will – with the x factor between him becoming a solid platoon bat or an everyday player being how much in-game power he develops. Update: After a deserved partaking in the Future’s Game on July 14, Urrutia has been summoned to the majors.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
67	.365	260	95	7	43	20	1	28	42	.427	.531	.958

7. Josh Hader – LHP – Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Photo Courtesy of: Delmarva Shorebirds	Born: 5/23/94	Age: 19
	Height: 6’3″	Weight: 165 lbs
	Top 10 Short Season Rank: 2	HS: Old Mill (MD)
	Drafted: 19th Round, 2012	Signing Bonus: $40,000
	Hader has a chance to be as highly regarded prospect wise as Eduardo Rodriguez is now in a couple years so I may be playing it a bit conservative with his ranking. He’s been outstanding and has thrived down at Delmarva, generating some buzz amongst scouts in the SALLY league. Still, despite the awesome numbers, the control needs work and there’s room for improvement in his secondary offerings and durability. I don’t doubt he can continue to grow into his lanky frame and make those improvements but for now, that’s what holds me back from ranking higher on the list. He has a high floor – with his sidewinder delivery and running fastball – to be a hellacious lefty on lefty weapon in a major league bullpen if starting doesn’t work out.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
15	3	4	2.70	76.2	53	4	39	68	1.03	.194

8. L.J. Hoes – LF – Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images North America	Born: 5/23/90	Age: 23
	Height: 6’0″	Weight: 190 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 5	HS: St. John’s Prep (D.C.)
	Drafted: 3rd Round, 2008	Signing Bonus: $490,000
	While Hoes continues to show pretty underwhelming home run totals that scream 4th outfielder/reserve type in the big leagues, I refuse to let go of my belief that he will eventually hit for good enough (5-10 HR, 25-30 2B) power to start. Aside from that, I also think Hoes will be an solid hitter for AVG and post excellent OBP numbers due to his very disciplined approach and subsequent high walk totals. That should make up for the underwhelming power numbers and it’s not like Hoes isn’t a solid runner too who could probably swipe 10-15 bases a year.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
91	.308	338	104	3	39	24	1	50	51	.404	.411	.815

9. Michael Ohlman – C – Frederick Keys (A+)

Bats/Throws: R/R

	Born: 12/14/90	Age: 22
	Height: 6’4″	Weight: 205 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 19	HS: Lakewood Ranch (FL)
	Drafted: 11th Round, 2009	Signing Bonus: $995,000
	I had Ohlman ranked at number 19 preseason as an intriguing sleeper who needed to prove he could be both healthy and productive over a full season. He did miss some time in May but his performance on the field has removed any doubt that last year’s impressive but small sample at Delmarva was a fluke. Here’s video of Ohlman hitting a home run for the Keys. He’s by far, the most improved player in the minors. According to Keys manager Ryan Minor, “He’s probably one of the better hitters in the league right now as far as making adjustments, getting to the fastball consistently and then using his hands well as far as breaking balls and off-speed pitches and keeping his bat in the zone a long time.” If the end of season reports on his defense suggest he can stick at catcher longterm, he’ll remain in the top ten.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
61	.315	222	70	11	38	14	4	35	60	.414	.563	.977

10. Mike Wright – RHP – Bowie Baysox (AA)

Photo by Daniel Kucin	Born: 1/03/90	Age: 23
	Height: 6’6″	Weight: 215 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 7	College: East Carolina
	Drafted: 3rd Round, 2011	Signing Bonus: $363,000
	Wright has had an uneven yet improved performance thus far at AA. He continues to make strides with his secondaries and command and could possibly stick as an innings eating number 4 starter once he reaches his prime. Ultimately, I’m still iffy about that scenario unfolding although I think he’ll get his chances to prove he can hold his own as a starter. I think he will eventually find his niche in the bullpen where his fastball plays up in the mid 90’s with some movement and his slider will have a little more bite, making Wright a potential late innings weapon – similar to what Tommy Hunter has done.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
18	8	2	3.67	95.2	99	5	32	87	0.93	.260

11. Christian Walker – 1B – Frederick Keys (A+)

Photo Courtesy of: Frederick Keys	Born: 5/23/91	Age: 22
	Height: 6’2″	Weight: 220 lbs
	Top 10 Short Season Rank: 3	College: South Carolina
	Drafted: 4rd Round, 2012	Signing Bonus:
	Walker doesn’t wow scouts because A) He’s not a particularly great athlete and is limited to first base defensively and B) He hasn’t shown the prototypical power numbers you want to see in order to call him a potential everyday first baseman. Walker will be a major league hitter though. His approach at the plate is outstanding and he rarely wastes at bats. He gears his swing towards smacking line drives in the gaps and doesn’t sell out for power. He should be a consistent hitter for average and he has the raw power I’ve seen in batting practice to eventually become a bigger power threat down the road if he adjusts his swing. At worst, he should be a quality platoon hitter at the 1B/DH spot. If he ever sees a power spike, he might surprise and become a solid regular. You should never underestimate a Gamecock. That is all.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
89	.310	342	106	11	55	23	0	29	60	.419	.585	1.004

12. Zach Davies – RHP – Frederick Keys (A+)

Photo Courtesy of: Delmarva Shorebirds	Born: 2/07/93	Age: 20
	Height: 6’0″	Weight: 150 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 11	HS: Mesquite (AZ)
	Drafted: 26th Round, 2011	Signing Bonus: $575,000
	I feel like Zach Davies doesn’t get nearly the attention or hype he is starting to deserve. I get it. He’s 6’0 and maybe 150 pounds in a drenched t-shirt. The kid’s pitchability is advanced beyond his years though and he knows how to keep his pitches consistently in the lower half of the zone, resulting in above average groundball rates. He’s also an excellent athlete who in addition to pitching, was an everyday shortstop on his high school team. He’s been getting by and putting up results at Frederick more with guts and guile than overpowering stuff, which raises the question whether he’ll pass the AA test next season where hitters with more discerning batting eyes may be able to square him up more consistently. However, it’s worth noting that his changeup has made impressive strides this season and could give him at least one above average pitch to work with longterm, which will help his cause to stick as a starter if the rest of his arsenal remains meh. Durability is also a concern with pitchers with his slight frame but he’s held up fine so far and is only 20 years old. If he ever sees a velocity bump as he matures, he has a ceiling similar to Mike Leake of the Reds, another athletic, undersized right hander with a finesse four pitch arsenal.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
18	5	3	3.28	104.1	94	6	26	86	1.70	.244

13. Josh Hart – CF – GCL Orioles (R)

Photo By: Perfect Game	Born: 10/02/94	Age: 18
	Height: 5’11″	Weight: 175 lbs
	Bats/Throws: L/L	HS:  (GA)
	Drafted: 1st Round, 2013	Signing Bonus: $600,000
	If I ranked this list based on longterm ceiling, Hart would come in at 8, ahead of Walker, Hoes, and Ohlman. Hart has the potential to be a plus baserunner and plus defensive centerfielder and a decent hitter too, giving him a Michael Bourn profile if everything pans out. Alas, Hart was just drafted out of high school and has only played 13 games of rookie ball so I’m keeping his ranking conservative for now as he is a long ways away from his ceiling. If he tears up the GCL this Summer, which he hasn’t exactly done so far, not only will I feel much better about this pick (I wasn’t too thrilled on draft day but I’m starting to warm up to him), Hart will also be a under consideration for the Top Ten.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
13	.250	48	12	0	7	1	0	7	8	.368	.271	.639

14. Adrian Marin – SS – Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Bats/Throws: R/R

Photo By: Ashley Marshall	Born: 5/23/94	Age: 19
	Height: 6’0″	Weight: 185 lbs
	Top 10 Short Season Rank: 1	HS:  (FL)
	Drafted: 3rd Round, 2012	Signing Bonus: $600,000
	I love Marin’s defensive ability – he projects to play a major league  caliber shortstop – and his enthusiasm for the game. I’m not sure what type of hitter he is yet. I have my doubts he’ll hit for any more than average power by shortstop standards so there will be a lot of pressure for him to develop a strong hit tool to be an everyday player. He’s holding his own at Delmarva which is very encouraging for a 19 year old. If he begins to post higher AVG’s as he moves up the ladder, he’ll find himself in the top ten. He’s also a strong baserunner.

G	AVG	AB	H	HR	RBI	2B	3B	BB	S0	OBP	SLG	OPS
82	.285	288	82	2	35	14	2	19	70	.335	.368	.704

15. Tyler Wilson – RHP – Bowie Baysox (AA)

Photo Courtesy of: Frederick Keys	Born: 9/25/89	Age: 23
	Height: 6’1″	Weight: 195 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 13	College: Virginia
	Drafted: 10th Round, 2011	Signing Bonus: $20,000
	Tyler Wilson, simply put, knows how to pitch and compete his ass off out there on the mound. He might be the most intelligent pitcher in the Orioles minors and seems like someone who I feel confident has the what it takes to succeed based on his video interviews. He throws a low 90’s fastball with some movement, and a low 80’s changeup and curveball. His stuff isn’t impressive but he knows how to spot it and is always a step ahead of the batter. Now that he is surviving and thriving at AA, “the proving grounds”, with a 5-1 record, 2.23 ERA, and .193 opponent AVG in his first 8 starts with the Baysox, Wilson looks like a potential option for a callup to the big league rotation sometime in 2014. His best case scenario could be a Miguel Gonzalez type of starter if his mediocre changeup improves. His high strikeout rates suggest he could make a solid major league reliever too if he lacks effectiveness against major league hitters the second time through the order.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
19	6	2	3.54	106.2	88	8	38	81	0.75	.222

16. Branden Kline – RHP – Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

	Born: 9/29/91	Age: 21
	Height: 6’3″	Weight: 195 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 9	College: Virginia
	Drafted: 2nd Round, 2012	Signing Bonus: $600,000
	Kline unfortunately had his season cut short after a nasty ankle injury in May. He may return to pitch some in August but regardless it has been a disappointing first year for the former Wahoo closer who really needs as much work as he can get on refining his delivery and command if the Orioles want him to succeed as a starter. He throws hard but without much movement, has a decent slider and developing change but seems more likely suited for middle relief longterm which has dropped his prospect stock for me.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
7	1	2	5.86	35.1	41	4	14	32	1.77	.289

17. Stephen Tarpley – LHP – GCL O’s (R)

Photo From: Scottsdale CC	Born: 2/17/93	Age: 20
	Height: 6’1″	Weight: 180 lbs
	Bats/Throws: L/L	College: Scottsdale CC
	Drafted: 3rd Round, 2013	Signing Bonus: $393,000
	Tarpley has finally made his professional debut, pitching a scoreless inning in the GCL on July 18. Athletic lefties that can touch 94 and have a chance to start don’t grow on trees, making Tarpley a good value in the third round and intriguing enough to crack the top 20. If he performs well this summer and shows better than expected command of his secondaries, he could move up a ahead of Kline and Wilson. He’s got some good “now stuff” but is a bit of a project in the making to remain a starter longterm.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

18. Parker Bridwell – RHP – Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Photo by: Tracy Proffitt	Born: 8/02/91	Age: 21
	Height: 6’4″	Weight: 190 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 18	HS: Hereford (TX)
	Drafted: 9th Round, 2010	Signing Bonus: $625,000
	Up until a couple impressive starts in June that landed him on the BA hotsheet one week, Bridwell’s second go-round in the Delmarva rotation was met with more disappointment. The premium fastball is still there and I am content to see big strides made in the K/9 and BB/9 ratios. He’s still a project as a starting pitcher and will need to make significant strides in command as well as pitchability on the mound. He does have a decent floor as a potential power relief weapon if all else fails.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
13	5	6	5.04	69.2	70	3	28	71	0.86	.255

19. Lex Rutledge – LHP – Delmarva Shorebirds (A)

Photo Courtesy of: Aberdeen Ironbirds	Born: 6/28/91	Age: 22
	Height: 6’1″	Weight: 195 lbs
	Top 10 Short Season Rank: 6	College: Samford
	Drafted: 6th Round, 2012	Signing Bonus: $196,000
	Lex Rutledge is the first and only prospect on this list who currently pitches as a reliever in the minors. Relief prospects really have to wow me to for me to rate them amongst the Top 20 prospects and that is what Rutledge has done this year at Delmarva. With a running fastball that touches min 90’s and an above average slider, Rutledge has been too much for Sally league hitters to handle and one would think he’s due to be moved up to Frederick at some point. He looks like a future weapon against left handed batters and has the overpowering stuff to be effective against right handed batters too, making him a potential setup reliever if he develops more consistent command of his arsenal.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
16	4	2	1.59	38	22	1	15	43	2.78	.167

20. Tim Berry – Frederick Keys – (A+)

	Born: 3/18/91	Age: 22
	Height: 6’3″	Weight: 180 lbs
	Preseason Rank: 15	HS: San Marcos (CA)
	Drafted: 50th Round, 2009	Signing Bonus: $125,000
	In his return to Frederick, Tim Berry has basically repeated but not bettered last years performance with the Keys. He still throws an average fastball that can touch 93, an above average sweeping curve and an average changeup. He throws strikes but has trouble mixing and spotting his pitches effectively, making him hittable at times when he falls behind in the count. Not confident he’ll pass the AA test but his ability to strike batters out, especially left handed batters, makes him an interesting bullpen guy if he doesn’t improve as a starter.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	HR	BB	K	GO/AO	AVG
18	8	5	3.97	99.2	108	8	26	87	1.03	.277

HM/ Devin Jones – RHP, Glynn Davis – CF, Chance Sisco – C, Brady Wager – RHP, Miguel Chalas – RHP, Trey Mancini – 1B, Matt Taylor – LHP

Orioles Sign…Stephen Tarpley, LHP

Tarpley Delivers	Born: 2/17/1993	Age: 20
	Height: 6’2″	Weight: 200 lbs
	Bats/Throws: R/L	College: Scottsdale CC
	Drafted: 3rd Round, 2013	Signing Bonus: $525,500
	Tarpley went to Gilbert HS in Arizona which some of you sly folks may recall that being the former high school of Orioles farmhand Zach Davies as well. Here’s an article about him written back in February by Conor Glassey of Baseball America. Tarpley has a live arm and with said live arm, comes a high floor as a power lefty bullpen arm. He will be developed as a starter for now and he has the arsenal to project as a starter with continued refinement of the secondary offerings.

Scouting Report

Primer: (20 = Terrible, 30 = Well Below Average, 40= Mediocre, 50= Major League Average, 60= Above Average 70= Plus/All-Star Caliber, 80= Plus-Plus/Elite/Superb)

• Fastball: 50/60 – Good fastball with some arm side run that sits 88-92 MPH as starter. Occasionally touches mid 90’s and could probably sit 92-94 MPH in shorter stints out of the bullpen
• Slider: 40/45 – 80-82 MPH. More of a show-me pitch he uses against left handed batters
• Curveball: 45/60 – 76-79 MPH. Needs work on consistently staying on top of curveball but it flashes above average break when he spins a good one
• Changeup: 45/55- 81-83 MPH. Inconsistent with location and velocity separation from FB is just average. He shows good  feel for pitch and and it has some late depth to it.
• Command: 40/50 – Command needs work. Mainly with the secondary pitches. Typically does a decent job at keeping the fastball down.
• Control: 40/50 – Control could use some polishing up. Doesn’t always finish his pitches and struggles at times with working ahead in the count.

Overall Outlook: Tarpley is a very good athlete with some effort in his delivery and quick arm action. He could use a few minor adjustments to his delivery, mainly incorporating use of his lower half more. After talking briefly over the phone with Alex Cherney, his head coach at Scottsdale CC, he agreed that he could use a softer landing in his delivery. He’s just 20 and far from a finished product. Getting an athletic lefty who can touch mid 90’s and has some projection left seems like great use of a 3rd round pick. However, I can’t ignore the fact that analysts, Keith Law and Chris Crawford in particular, have mentioned in their write ups apparent “maturity issues” off the field while at USC. I don’t know how much stock to put into it but it’s something to keep in mind as to whether he has what it takes to handle the mental and physical grind of developing into a starting pitcher. I had the cajones to bring up the “character issues” question with Cherney and as expected he declined to comment on it, telling me thats something I should discuss with Tarpley himself if I’m so curious. He did assure me that whatever I read was probably overblown and, at least during his time at Scottsdale CC, character issues were not a concern.

(Tangent alert: See, I did my due diligence here and I question whether Crawford did as he went so far as to list Tarpley as a questionable value in the third round for the ‘character concerns’ alone. I don’t know the whole story but I didn’t get any vibe that there’s some sort of serious character flaw. I’d be a lot more concerned if a google search brought up a DUI headline or rape accusation. I didn’t get anything other than Law and Crawford basically speculating about ‘character concerns’. To me, it sounds like he and the USC coach didn’t see eye to eye (not uncommon) but he also probably has some ‘growing up’ to do too. Last I checked, immature decisions aren’t uncommon in many 19/20 year old kids. I would know. I am one.)

Ultimately, if everything comes together for Tarpley, we are looking at a pitcher with three potentially above average pitches that he does an average job of commanding within the strike zone, giving him the profile of a future no.3/no.4 starter which, in this weak draft, would be great value in the 3rd round.

Orioles Prospect Comparison: Lex Rutledge

Interesting note: His father, Stephen Tarpley Sr, has a blog about his son’s baseball pursuits here at http://stephentarpley.weebly.com/

Video! (via MLB.com)

Statistics (from HS, USC, and Scottsdale CC)

Year	Age	School	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	K	AVG	WHIP	BB/9	K/9
2011	18	Gilbert HS	3.60	6	6	30	30	5	7	47	.241	1.23	2.10	14.10
2012	19	USC	3.22	14	13	78.1	71	0	29	67	.241	1.28	3.33	7.70
2013	20	Scottsdale	1.87	14	14	77	49	0	32	87	.175	1.05	3.74	10.20
3 Seasons			2.72	34	33	185.1	150	5	68	201	.215	1.18	3.30	9.76