Updating Snyder and the affiliates
Single-A Frederick's Brandon Snyder didn't take batting practice today and remained out of the lineup after injuring his left shoulder earlier this week in a collision at first base, but he hit off a tee. That's progress.
Snyder is expected to return in the next few days - manager Richie Hebner posted the lineup late to determine Snyder's status - but the Keys are being careful with the former first-round pick. That's the same shoulder that required surgery in August 2006.
The news is worse for Keys center fielder and leadoff hitter Danny Figueroa, who is done for the season after tearing a ligament in his hand while sliding into second last night on one of his four stolen bases.
Staying with the Keys, they defeated Lynchburg tonight, 2-1, on Billy Rowell's walk-off homer in the 10th inning. Brandon Erbe tossed six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out six.
Garrett Olson will start tomorrow night for Triple-A Norfolk, his first venture back into the Tides' rotation since his demotion.
The Tides' Tike Redman hit a three-run homer tonight, and five pitchers combined to allow just five hits in a 7-1 win over Toledo.
Oscar Salazar, Eider Torres and Chris Roberson each had two hits. Felix Romero - taking Radhames Liz's turn in the rotation - Craig Anderson, Fredy Deza, Scott Chiasson and Jim Miller combined to allow five singles, walked one and struck out 11.
Double-A Bowie completed its sweep of Reading tonight and lowered its magic number to one. Shortstop Blake Davis went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, and catcher Matt Wieters went 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. Zach Clark allowed one run and five hits in seven innings.
Greg Miclat, the Orioles' fifth-round pick out of the University of Virginia, went 2-for-4 with a double in his Aberdeen debut after moving up from the Gulf Coast League.
For the little playing time that he has gotten to date, why don't the O's return Montanez to Bowie to get this at bats and playoff experience?
This is shaping up quite nicely. The Yankees currently sit about six losses back in the wild card race. The final Yankee Stadium game occurs before a road trip to end the season, of six or seven games. How beautiful will it be to beat the Yankees in their last game at the Stadium, at the same time killing their playoff streak?
Oscar Salazar, Eider Torres and Chris Roberson each had two hits.
We need Teixeira...Sign the petition!
http://bringmarkhome.withthispetition.com
Hey Roch, I heard Macphail say that our 2nd and 3rd round pics were progressing well. What's the word on them? Seems like Blake Davis has been doing well and has been lost in the shuffle as far as successful prospects at AA. How do the O's view him when it comes to being a legit major league shortstop prospect?
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Avery (.269) and Hoes (.301) are playing for the Gulf Coast team. They're exciting prospects. Very athletic. The kind of guys needed in the system. The Orioles really like Davis. He made a nice impression during his brief time in major league camp and has hit much better in the second half. They've always liked his glove. He's definitely on their radar. - Roch
Roch,
What is the determination of whether a minor league guy has to be on the 40 man roster to avoid being taken in the Rule 5 draft? We currently have 45 guys on the roster now (5 guys on the 60-day DL -- Albers, Baez, Hoey, Loewen, & Patton). I cant believe Aquino, Castillo, Cherry, Cormier, Cintron, and Payton are re-signed to MLB contracts so that brings us back down to 39 even when the others come off the 60 day DL. Can Loewen be taken off given he'll probably start next year at Delmarva or Fredrick if healthy? I guess the big question is how many slots are going to need to be opened for our AA and higher prospects on the 40 man roster so that they arent taken in a Rule 5 draft? Specifically thinking of Reimold and the pitchers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I know this one. I really do. I'll get back to you ASAP. - Roch
Roch, love the minor league updates....
Can you get us answer on WHY MASN HD is NOT on Verizon Fios in Howard Co.? I have seen others ask this same question & I assume the person in the know at MASN must have an office there near you. :-)
Anyone going to the Spanks game tonight, be sure to give StrayRod the appropriate welcome to town.... ask him how late Hustlers is open for instance.... or if he goes to that place in Catonsville for swingers I have heard about, that might be more his style.
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The HD stuff is out of my territory, but I can ask. Or better yet, let's hope the person in the know reads this blog and the attached comments. - Roch
Hey Roch, I heard a couple of guys were called up from Aberdeen to the Shorebirds. Any word on who was moved from Delmarva to make room? Seems kinda late for minor league roster movements with the season getting ready to end. Thanks!
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RHP Brian Parker was moved up to Frederick. That's the only move I'm aware of at the moment. - Roch
O's fans: What's with all the Teixeira hoopla? Spend giga-millions on one player, when that kind of money can be spent on Latin prospects or from the Asian perimeter? Someone educate me here... I don't see this move as building a long-term contender as Andy M. has outlined.
Currently we have one of the worst farm systems in MLB for Latin prospects. It's my take that the O's have to beef up this area of the system or we'll never be legitimate contenders. Same with free agents ... this is not how we can contend year after year. We must build a strong farm system like CLE, MIN, LAA, etc.