Baltimore Orioles Mid-Season Top 15 Prospects

This is my Top 15 prospects for the Baltimore Orioles here at the halfway point. This list WILL include 2011 draft picks that I think will sign. Stats are as of July 17, 2011.


1. Manny Machado, SS - 204 AB, .265/.364/.451, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 32 BB, 37 K, 3 SB 4 CS (A/A+)

Machado

It's really like 1A and 1B with Machado and Bundy here but I'll put the shortstop first. Struggled initially upon his promotion to Frederick, but has had a good month of July, including a start in the Futures Game in Arizona.


2. Dylan Bundy, RHP - 11-0, 0.30 ERA, 71 IP, 20 H, 4 BB, 158 K (HS)


4 walks to 158 strikeouts is still mind boggling for me even at the high school level. One of those players who I can't wait to see start playing next year, similar to the anticipation about Machado starting this year.


3. Jonathan Schoop, 3B - 336 AB, .283/.346/.426, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 31 BB, 46 K, 9 SB 4 CS (A/A+)


Schoop earned a spot in the Futures Game after he started to grow into his power potential at Delmarva. He hasn't quite had the same success in High-A but he and Machado are an exciting combo on the left side of the infield.


4. Dan Klein, RHP - 3-1, 1.11 ERA, 32.1 IP, 23 H, 6 BB, 37 K (A+/AA)


I was hoping the O's would try Klein as a starter as he throws 4 solid pitches but he has clearly been effective out of the pen this year. Could see the Majors by September, definitely by next year.


5. Bobby Bundy, RHP - 8-5, 3.31 ERA, 98 IP, 94 H, 29 BB, 82 K (A+)


The older brother of 2011 1st-round pick Dylan, Bobby is coming into his own with a four-pitch mix including a solid sinker. Orioles fans can only hope that the Bundy Brothers push each other through the minors and into a struggling ML rotation.


6. Jason Esposito, 3B - 268 AB, .340/.403/.530, 9 HR, 59 RBI, 17 BB, 45 K, 15 SB 10 CS (College)


Esposito entered his junior season as a possible first-round pick but dropped after moving off shortstop. A solid power/speed combo could be a steal at pick number 64.


7. Oliver Drake, RHP - 9-4, 2.90 ERA, 111.2 IP, 96 H, 27 BB, 95 K (A+/AA)


Drake has been a pleasant surprise for the Orioles this year, using a low to mid 90's fastball and a decent slider with plus command to get hitters out. 


8. Trent Mummey, OF - 113 AB, .292/.373/.478, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 16 BB, 19 K, 19 SB 3 CS (A/A+)


Mummey had an excellent start to the season but unfortunately his season was cut short in early June with an injury. He is an exciting player to watch when healthy with plus speed and surprising pop.


9. L.J. Hoes, 2B/OF - 328 AB, .271/.326/.345, 3 HR, 41 RBI, 25 BB, 54 K, 13 SB 6 CS (A+/AA)


Hoes has had a very average season and it is hard to tell what to make of it. Still has the upside of a ML starter but he will need to improve his play to fulfill that potential.


10. Xavier Avery, OF - 369 AB, .263/.314/.347, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 24 BB, 106 K, 26 SB 11 CS (AA)


While Avery has shown off his speed and hit for a decent average, he has had a hard time getting on base and is striking out way too much. Unless he shows a better approach at the plate he will have a hard time utilizing all his tools.


11. Wynn Pelzer, RHP - 4-6, 4.10 ERA, 68 IP, 68 H, 40 BB, 60 K (AA)


Pelzer's has taken his power fastball/slider combo to the bullpen in Bowie and is putting up much better numbers than he was as a starter.


12. Tyler Townsend, OF - 245 AB, .318/.355/.588, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 9 BB, 63 SO, 2 SB 2 CS (A+)


Townsend has been ripping the cover off the ball and could move up this list significantly if he continues his success in the second half. Needs to improve BB/K ratio however.


13. Parker Bridwell, RHP - 2-3, 5.29 ERA, 32.1 IP, 36 H, 12 BB, 41 K (SS)


A big, athletic starter Bridwell has been hit hard but is striking hitters out and is one to watch for the second half of the season at Aberdeen.


14. Nick Delmonico, 3B - 92 AB, .413 AVG, 53 R, 38 H, 10 2B, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 23 SB


Drafted as a 3B after playing C in high school, Delmonico is very polished for a prep player but doesn't have a tremendously high ceiling. Shouldn't be too tough of a sign.


15. Matt Angle, OF - 323 AB, .266/.334/.337, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 32 BB, 64 K, 20 SB 2 CS (AAA)


A speed demon who has worked hard to make it through the minors, Angle got a well deserved call up to the Majors this week and could be a useful 4th outfielder for a ML club.


SLEEPER


Jake Cowan, RHP - 0-3, 3.98 ERA, 31.2 IP, 29 H, 12 BB, 32 K (SS)


A projectable righty with plus secondary offerings, Cowan earned a six-figure bonus out of San Jacinto JC in Texas. He needs to improve his approach on the mound and sharpen his command to fulfill his frontline starter potential.