This recap is now a week late, and a lot has happened since then. For example, a whole entire week has passed! With that in mind (let’s throw in a little laziness as well), I’m going to leave out pretty much all analysis/commentary.
Weekly Summary
Norfolk (AAA): 2-5 (W-L), 22 RS, 37 RA
Bowie (AA): 1-4, 18 RS, 22 RA
Frederick (High-A): 4-2, 22 RS, 18 RA
The Good:
Hitters
Norfolk (AAA): 2B Jemile Weeks – 5/18 (H/AB), 2 2B’s, 1 3B, 9 BB’s, 4 SO’s Continue reading
First, apologies for the minor league update coming to you a day late. No excuses from me, so I won’t tell you some intricate story how the cat knocked over a glass of cranberry juice (no, it was beer, yeah that’s what it was!) just as I was about to hit the post button. Better late than never, right? Also, as an FYI, I can already tell you that it’s going to be AT LEAST a day late next week too.
Other than it being a pretty tough week for all 3 affiliates, I don’t have much more to say, so let’s get right to it.
Weekly Summary
Norfolk (AAA): 2-4 (W-L), 25 RS, 32 RA
Bowie (AA): 3-4, 25 RS, 27 RA
Frederick (High-A): 1-5, 18 RS, 35 RA
The Good:
Hitters
Norfolk (AAA): OF Julio Borbon – 7/21 (H/AB), 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 BB’s, 5 SO’s
Borbon was picked up by the Orioles in the minor league portion of this past winter’s Rule 5 draft, giving them some much needed outfield depth in AAA after losing Xavier Avery and L.J. Hoes in two separate trades. Probably the most impressive line from Borbon’s week is the fact that he walked 7 times (career 5.7% walk rate in more than 850 major league PA’s). Continue reading
Over the last 2 off seasons, one of the main issues the Orioles have needed to address was their lineup’s ability to get on base. That issue wasn’t addressed before the 2013 season, as the team finished towards the bottom of the league in OBP, and was ranked dead last in BB% in the American League (ok, they weren’t DEAD last, they were tied for dead last). While they made some newsworthy acquisitions during this past offseason, it wasn’t clear that they did anything to improve their on base skills, and two weeks into the season, it’s starting to look pretty obvious that they didn’t. It’s very early in the season though, so do they have a chance to be a better OBP team? I take a look at it today over on ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot.
Direct Link to Article –> Orioles Still Have a Problem Getting On Base
With the new season back in full swing, it’s time for the return of the weekly installment of the Minor League Recap, which looks at the performances of Baltimore’s AAA (Norfolk Tides), AA (Bowie Baysox), and High-A (Frederick Keys) minor league affiliates. Since this was an idea that came to me with 2 weeks remaining in the 2013 minor league season, there have only been 2 previous installments. However, I’m planning on making it a weekly post in 2014. This first week is a light one, with each of the team’s playing only 4 games. If you remember back to when I began doing these posts last season, the following is based on a player’s on-field performance for the current week only, and is not to be considered a list of prospects or future major league contributors.
Weekly Summary
Norfolk (AAA): 1-4 (W-L), 7 RS, 10 RA
Bowie (AA): 4-0, 35 RS, 14 RA
Frederick (High-A): 2-2, 20 RS, 14 RA
The Good:
Hitters
Norfolk (AAA): 2B Jemile Weeks – 6/12 (H/AB), 2 3B’s, 2 BB’s, 2 SO’s
Weeks was in the mix to make the opening day roster as the starting second baseman or the backup middle infielder. He landed in Norfolk instead, despite the extra roster spot in Baltimore due to Manny Machado’s knee rehab placing him on the DL to start the season. Weeks is off to a hot start in the first few games, even getting a start in CF. He has a good chance to be the first player called up if J.J. Hardy hits the DL or Ryan Flaherty continues to struggle. Continue reading
Following a surprise playoff appearance in 2012, the Baltimore Orioles finished the 2013 season with an 85-77 record, 12 games out of first place in the American League East and 7 games out of the wild card spot. Despite not making the playoffs, the 2013 team was arguably more talented than the 2012 team, due to reasons that we’ve discussed before. This offseason was relatively quiet until around the start of spring training when the team made several moves to improve roster holes leftover from 2013 (starting rotation and designated hitter). Despite what looks to be an upgraded team, the Zips Projection System at Fangraphs currently sees them finishing the 2014 season at the bottom of the AL East with a record of 78-84. Let’s take a closer look at how Zips came to that conclusion.* This is more informative than actual analysis, but I think it is still be a worthwhile exercise.
*Note: this post as written before Zips made its final projections for the season, so things will probably change slightly in the next week.
Catcher
2014 Zips Projection
In 2013, Baltimore catchers produced a total of 1.9 fWAR, which placed them 18th in all of baseball. The bulk of that production came from Matt Wieters (2.4 fWAR), but the backups added -0.5 wins in only 101 plate appearances. Offensively, Zips sees Wieters improving on his disappointing 2013 season, while once again playing a lot at the position.* I personally believe that the projection for Wieters is slightly on the low side, and that he has a decent chance to exceed it.
The free agent signings just keep on coming for the Orioles, as yesterday they officially announced the signing of Nelson Cruz. Cruz agreed to a 1 year, $8 million contract. The deal has some easy incentives that, if reached, would bring the total to $8.75 million. By signing Cruz, the Orioles give up their second round draft pick, #55 overall since Cruz rejected the qualifying offer from Texas earlier in the offseason (the Orioles first round draft pick was relinquished when they signed Ubaldo Jimenez). Cruz is expected to mostly serve as the team’s designated hitter, while spending some occasional time in the outfield, most likely in left. Continue reading
The Baltimore Orioles have been busy little bees the last couple of days by signing RHP Suk-min Yoon out of Korea as well as one of the best remaining free agent starting pitchers in right hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Everybody is talking about them, and for good reason, because they both constitute the biggest signings the team has made so far this year (sorry Ryan Webb, but you’ve been bumped).
I’m sure I’ll discuss those two at some point, but since everyone else is discussing them right now, I figured I’d talk about Matt LaPorta. Remember him? If you do, get reacquainted with a trip down memory lane, and if you don’t, then get to know him. Either way, head over to the ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot and see if the Orioles can find lightning in a bottle.
Direct Link to Article –> What Can the Orioles Expect from Matt LaPorta?
As of this past Tuesday, Brian Roberts is a member of the New York Yankees. By signing with them, he ended his 15 year tenure within the Baltimore Orioles organization. Today on ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot, I take a look back at both the good times and the bad during Roberts’ days in Charm City.
Direct Link to Article –> Looking Back on the Brian Roberts Era
The Orioles have a hole to fill at second base during the offseason. That’s not exactly news. On a rare Saturday post over (at least for me) at ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog Camden Depot, I am taking a look at teams that have a surplus of second basemen who may be willing trade partners to the Orioles. The choices range from established veterans who may be expensive, in terms of prospects and salary commitments to former top prospects (or less established players) that may be a little cheaper, but come with a lot more risk. Should the Orioles actually trade for any of these guys? As always, it will depend on what they would have to give up to get them.
Direct Link to Article –> Scouring the League for Second Base Surplus
During the off-season, ESPN Sweetspot Network Orioles blog, Camden Depot has had some excellent analysis regarding rumors and the potential moves the Orioles could make this offseason, and if you’ve been paying attention at all, Baltimore has been involved in a lot of rumors in this young offseason. I haven’t heard his name specifically mentioned in any connection to the Orioles, but today at Camden Depot I took a look at whether the Orioles should consider signing free agent center fielder Chris Young to be their starting left fielder in the 2014 season.
Direct Link to Article –> Chris Young: Starting Left Fielder?
Orioles Proving Ground 