1. Brian Matusz – LHP – 22 years old
A+ Frederick: 4-2, 2.16 ERA, 66.2 IP, 75 K, 21 BB
AA Bowie: 7-0, 1.55 ERA, 46.1 IP, 46 K, 11 BB
MLB Baltimore: 5-2, 4.63 ERA, 44.2 IP, 38 K, 14 BB
Matusz should be the front runner for AL Rookie of the Year in 2010. He has a chance to be the ace of the Orioles staff as soon as this coming season. Hes probably the best pitching prospect the Orioles have ever had. The Orioles saw a glimpse of the future at the end of 2009 and it should only get better from here.
2. Josh Bell – 3B – 23 years old
AA Chattanooga: .296/.386/.497, 30 doubles, 2 triples, 11 HR, 52 RBI
AA Bowie: .289/.346/.570, 5 doubles, 9 HR, 24 RBI
Bell should reach the big leagues by the middle of next season if everything goes right. A September call up at the latest. He needs to work on his hitting against left handed pitchers and may have to give up switch hitting, but he crushes right handed pitching.
3. Jake Arrieta – RHP – 23 years old
AA Bowie: 6-3, 2.59 ERA, 59 IP, 70 K, 23 BB
AAA Norfolk: 5-8, 3.93 ERA, 91.2 IP, 78 K, 33 BB
Arrieta dominated at AA Bowie, but struggled a bit at AAA Norfolk. He started to turn it around towards the end of the year and should learn from the experience. He could make it to the Orioles as soon as opening day if everything breaks right for him, but most likely won’t make his debut until later in the year.
4. Zach Britton – LHP – 21 years old
A+ Frederick: 9-6, 2.70 ERA, 140 IP, 131 K, 55 BB
Britton is a ground ball pitcher that can also strike people out. He got an incredible 3.38 ground out to fly out ratio in 2009. If he can keep that up as he moves up the ranks hes going to be at least a number two type starter. He’ll start at AA Bowie in 2010 and could move up to AAA Norfolk with a good start. A cup of coffee in September isn’t out of the question either.
5. Brandon Snyder – 1B – 23 years old
AA Bowie: .343/.421/.597, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 10 HR, 45 RBI
AAA Norfolk: .248/.316/.355, 18 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 43 RBI
Snyder dominated pitching at AA Bowie and looked like he was on his way to blossoming into a great prospect, but he hit a wall when he got to AAA Norfolk. Apparently Norfolks stadium is a pitchers park that really takes away power in right center field, which is where most of Snyder’s comes from. Word is that Snyder tried to change his approach which really messed him up. He hit very well in the Arizona Fall League, so I wouldn’t be too worried. He’ll compete for the first baseman’s job in spring training, but I expect the Orioles to wait at least a few weeks before bringing him up.
6. Brandon Erbe – RHP – 21 years old
Short A Aberdeen: 0-1, 4.61 ERA, 13.2 IP, 11 K, 2 BB
AA Bowie: 5-3, 2.34 ERA, 73 IP, 62 K, 35 BB
Erbe battled shoulder fatigue in 2009 but still managed to have a successful year. He started out on fire at AA Bowie before being shut down for a while. He made four starts at Aberdeen to get his arm strength back and pitched good for the rest of the year when he got back to Bowie. He’ll most likely start out 2010 at AAA Norfolk and try to improve his command and off speed offerings. 2010 will be a chance for Erbe to prove that he can be a successful starter and not just a power arm out of the bullpen.
7. Matt Hobgood – RHP – 19 years old
Rookie Bluefield: 1-2, 4.73 ERA, 26.2 IP, 16 K, 8 BB
Hobgood was the Orioles first round choice in 2009. He got a late start pitching in the Orioles system and had to work himself back into pitching shape with the long layoff from the prep season. He struggled with his control, but showed flashes of his quality stuff. He has an excellent curve ball and throws hard. Hes a big guy that should become a workhorse starting pitcher. He’ll start 2010 at either Short A Anderdeen or A Delmarva depending on his spring.
8. Kam Mickolio – RHP – 25 years old
AAA Norfolk: 3-3, 3.50 ERA, 43.2 IP, 52 K, 16 BB
MLB Orioles: 0-2, 2.63 ERA, 13.2 IP, 14 K, 7 BB
As I said in my 2009 In Review, Mickolio had a very good campaign in 2009. Hes poised to be a mainstay in the back end of the Orioles bullpen. With a decent spring training he should make the 2010 bullpen and he’ll work his way up the ladder from there.
9. Brandon Waring – 3B/1B – 23 years old
A+ Frederick: .273/.354/.520, 35 doubles, 2 triples, 26 HR, 90 RBI, 5 SB
AA Bowie: .292/.414/.542, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Waring came along with Justin Turner and Ryan Freel in the Ramon Hernandez deal to Cincinnati and it looks like hes going to turn out to be the jewel of the trade. He was the Keys best hitter all year and could’ve been promoted to AA Bowie sooner, but Frederick was in the playoff race. When he finally was promoted he didn’t miss a beat in limited at bats. In 2010 he’ll start at AA Bowie with a promotion to AAA Norfolk likely if he hits well enough. Maybe a cup of coffee in September with a spot on the bench in mind for 2011.
10. Caleb Joseph – C – 23 years old
A+ Frederick: .284/.337/.450, 23 doubles, 2 triples, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 2 SB
Joseph might’ve been higher on this list if the season ended after July. He was scorching the ball until hitting a wall in August. He only batted .156 in August over 77 at bats. It might’ve been a case of the season taking its toll on the catcher and he’ll have to get back to hitting in 2010 because thats where most of his value is. Hes a tall guy that still needs to work on his defense at catcher. He should start 2010 at AA Bowie.
