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Baltimore Orioles 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2011 (21) | 2010 (8) | 2009 (9) | 2008 (14) | 2007 (17) | 2006 (12)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [69-93] AL East

AAA: [56-87] International League – Norfolk

AA: [75-66] Eastern League – Bowie

A+: [80-59] Carolina League – Frederick

A: [55-85] South Atlantic League – Delmarva

A(ss): [24-51] New York-Penn League – Aberdeen

The Run Down

With guys in their system like Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Dylan Bundy, Baltimore is not without exciting prospects.  Unfortunately, though, the aforementioned are a bit too far from their MLB debuts to garner fantasy consideration for 2012.  That leaves us with a bunch of fringe-types to discuss.  Sure, a few of these names will blossom into regular roles, but I find it unlikely that any of them will reach significant fantasy value.

Arizona Fall League PlayersMesa Solar Sox

Steve Johnson (RHP); Casey Lambert (LHP); Cole McCurry (LHP); Brian Ward (C); Joe Mahoney (1B); Xavier Avery (OF)

Graduated Prospects

Zach Britton (LHP)

Players of Interest

Hitters

Ryan Adams | 2B:

Adams should see plenty of playing time in 2012 and could end up being Baltimore’s regular at second.  He has a solid approach to hitting, with quick hands and above average power potential at 2B.  Adams isn’t among the most exciting prospects for 2012, but assuming he earns a starting role, he’ll be someone to consider for deep leagues and AL-Only.

Matt Angle | OF:

Angle is likely the Orioles’ fourth outfielder on opening day.  Thanks to his glove, he’ll get an occasional start and see the field often in 2012 as a defensive replacement. Stealing 11 bags in just 95 PA with the O’s in 2011, it’s clear that Angle can run.  Unfortunately, though, he has no power.  Zero.  And that will ultimately render him a 4th outfielder.

Joe Mahoney | 1B:

At 6’6” 240 lbs, Mahoney is a big dude.  He battled injuries in 2011, but while healthy he slashed .294/.354/.508 between High A and AA.  Included in his 2011 line are 42 XBH in 367 trips to the plate.  As his frame suggests, Mahoney has power that profiles appropriately at first base.  He needs to cut down on the K’s, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him up with the O’s at some point in 2012.

Pitchers

Tsuyoshi Wada | LHP – SP:

The O’s inked Wada yesterday to a two-year deal worth $8.15 million, and it looks as though he’ll immediately fit into their rotation.  Forgive my lack of enthusiasm over this 30-year-old, soft-throwing prospect.  His JPPL stats are impressive, but not necessarily indicative of what Wada will do in Major League Baseball.  He’ll need to show supreme command in order to overcome a sluggish fastball (85-87).  Expect his K’s to drop considerably (career 8.3 K/9).  Wada’s ceiling is probably somewhere around Bruce Chen.

Robert Bundy | RHP – SP:

His younger brother, Dylan, is widely considered Baltimore’s top pitching prospect, but Bobby should arrive a bit sooner.  He profiles as an innings eater at the back of the rotation, and could be an attractive option in 2012, given the inconsistency of 2011 O’s rotation.  Bundy is still a long shot to make the big club next year.

Oliver Drake | RHP – SP/RP:

Drake will likely end up in Baltimore’s bullpen, but his size (6’4” 210 lbs) and durability (162+ IP in 2011) could render him as that workhorse, backend starter that could help stabilize this Orioles rotation.  There’s nothing too flashy about him, but should Drake work his way into a starting role, he’ll be worth monitoring.

Honorable Mention

Hitters

Kyle Hudson | OF:

Hudson played at four levels in 2011, beginning with High A and finishing with Baltimore.  He was able to rise quickly thanks to a sound understanding of the strikezone and outstanding athleticism.  Hudson was a wide receiver and kick returner for the University of Illinois before taking his talents to pro baseball in 2008.  He’s a similar type outfield prospect to Angle, though, and behind him in terms of development.  Don’t expect much from Hudson in 2012.

L.J. Hoes | OF/2B:

A tremendous contact hitter, Hoes should eventually find himself in the big leagues.  He’s another guy with nice on base skills but almost zero power (.107 ISO at AA in 2011).  His bat profiles much better at 2B than in the outfield.  Unfortunately for Hoes, though, after promotion to AA he only saw six games at second, opposed to 78 in the outfield.