Baltimore Orioles Top Prospects Are on the Way
Matt Wieters and a Trio of Pitchers Are Waiting for Their Time
May 9, 2009
As Memorial Day draws near, Oriole fans may begin to wonder when some, or indeed any, of the players in their farm system will move up to provide help. The Orioles have spent the last few years working the draft to their best advantage, using first round picks on solid prospects, while using trades to bolster their prospect depth.
Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, has a number of crucial decisions to make with regard to the team’s top prospects. The timing of bringing even the best prospects up to the major leagues is an inexact science, so Oriole fans may need to be patient as MacPhail tries to make the best decisions possible for both the near term (2009) and beyond. At this point, it appears only one top prospect will move up during 2009.
Matt Wieters, Catcher, AAA Norfolk Tides
Drafted in the first round (fifth overall) in 2007, Wieters is not only the top prospect in the Oriole farm system, but one of the top prospects in baseball. Defensively he has a strong arm (he also pitched at Georgia Tech) throwing out 46% of base-stealers in the Carolina League. The Orioles want him to develop into an every day, every game catcher before he comes to Camden Yards, and will give him as much time as that takes.
Offensively, the switch-hitting Wieters has hit at every level, including .365 at AA Bowie last season, and he currently carries a solid .296 at AAA Norfolk. Oriole fans are anxious to see his bat in the line-up sooner rather than later as the bottom of the Oriole lineup continues to struggle. Look for Wieters to join the club as early as July, particularly if they can weather their early season woes and stay close to .500.
With Orioles starting pitching clearly in need of help, the farm system is readying a series of strong-armed contributors. However, it is unlikely any of the following three players will join the team prior to the end of this season. Two who may get a chance to make the big club for the 2010 season are Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta.
Chris Tillman, Pitcher, AAA Norfolk Tides
Tillman came to the Orioles via the Eric Bedard trade that also yielded CF Adam Jones. Tillman is a 6’5” right-hander who throws the fastball in the low 90’s, and struck out 154 batters in 115 innings pitched at Bowie. Tillman just turned 21, and while he may be close to ready for the big leagues, the Orioles project him as a 2010 roster player, giving him more time to develop and mature both physically and as a player.
Jake Arrieta, Pitcher, AA Bowie Baysox
Another long pitcher at 6’4” built on a solid 225-pound frame, the Orioles took Arrieta in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. Arrieta lead the Carolina League in ERA (2.87) his first season (2008), and is currently working well in Bowie, posting a 2-1 record and 3.80 ERA. Arietta’s season in Bowie will determine his chances at making the Orioles in 2010, and it’s possible he could move up to Norfolk during the current year.
Although not a probable candidate for a roster spot in 2010, the Orioles farm system depth is highlighted by Brian Matusz, their first round (overall 4th pick) choice in the 2008 draft. Matusz is currently playing Advanced A ball for the Frederick Keys, his first year in the minors after an All-American junior season at the University of San Diego. Matusz is a very savvy pitcher with occasional power, having recently recorded a 13-strikeout game in seven innings of work.
With Wieters on the way up to Camden Yards this season, the Orioles can at a minimum look for improvement in their lineup as the season progresses. Longer term however, Orioles players and management have much to look forward to on the mound heading into the next few years, and the Orioles’ Camden Yards fans should look to be patient for just a little while longer. Help is clearly on the way.
