Stockstill comments on the AFL players
The Orioles are sending eight players to the Arizona Fall League. They are pitchers Brandon Erbe, Josh Perrault, Ryohei Tanaka and Eddie Gamboa. Also headed to play for the Phoenix Desert Dogs are position players Brandon Snyder, Josh Bell, Matt Angle and Brandon Waring.
"We wanted to get people who are prospects and guys that could help us at the big leagues in the future. We are allowed one starter and three relievers. With pitchers we looked at the amount of innings they've thrown," O's Director of Player Development David Stockstill said of the eight.
"We wouldn't send anyone to the Fall League that we didn't have a lot of confidence in. These spots are precious."
Here are Stockstill's comments on the eight players.
Brandon Erbe - "He did miss part of the season and here's a chance for him to get more innings. He'll pitch maybe four innings a week out there. He's shown outstanding progress this year and this will make up for some innings he missed out on this year."
Stockstill added that Chorye Spoone was not far enough along in his rehab to be considered for the AFL.
Josh Perrault - "Has been a real competitive pitcher at Double and Triple-A. He throws strikes and pitches to contact. He's got a very good sinker and slider and throws about 90,91. We want to get more looks at him."
Eddie Gamboa - "He's had an outstanding year and pitched well at each level. He has a nasty split-finger type pitch and a good changeup and has real good sink and run on his fastball. We feel like with him being 24, we wanted to extend his season and face that caliber of hitter to accelerate his development."
Rhoyei Tanaka - "He's been very impressive at Double-A. He throws strikes and pitches to contact with a good slider. He has a hard sinker and very, very good command. Because he joined us late we wanted him to get more innings and get him accelerated toward possible help for our Major League team someday."
Brandon Snyder - "Just had an outstanding year, he's made progress in every area. Right now there could be competition for first base in the big leagues next year. This is an opportunity to get him some more at bats and work more at first base."
Because Snyder played in the Fall League last year did they considered sending someone else ? "We like Brandon very much and he's at Triple-A now. There could be a competition at first next year and we wanted to accelerate his development for that competition."
Josh Bell - "We like his power and ability to drive the ball. He has real solid quickness with his wrists. Just want to get him more time at third base and this gives us a chance to see him more."
Matt Angle - "He's been our center fielder at Frederick, he runs well and made enough progress that we feel he belongs out there. He's had a very good season. This will get him some more at bats and more chance to work on his swing."
Brandon Waring - "He's had a wonderful year at Frederick, playing first and third. He's shortened his swing and cut down on his strikeouts. He shows very, very good power potential. We'll get him more at bats and more experience here."
Waring is a "taxi squad" player meaning he can only play on Wednesday and Saturday. He could be added to the full-time roster if there is an injury.
While the manager and coaches for that Phoenix team come from outside the organization, the O's will send some of their own people to Arizona to watch and help the Orioles' prospects.
Bowie field coach Moe Hill will be there, minor league pitching co-ordinater Dave Schmidt will spend some time there, along with Stockstill, roving infield instructor Alex Arias and several O's scouts.
The O's players will be joined on the Desert Dogs by players from the A's, Rays, Blue Jays and Nationals. The AFL season starts October 13th.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
I love it. I fiend for prospect news.
What exactly is the deal with Xavier Avery? I see that he is doing very well in Low A, why has he not been moved up? It seems everytime I read something on Delmarva it seems his name appears one way or another. As much as the ML team needs speed, I am curiuos as to why it has taken him so long just to get this far. Was he not a 2nd/3rd rounder from last year? Thanks in advance for any addtional information.
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He is actually moving faster than some thought he would. After playing at GCL last year, the O's had to decide if he would be ready to play at Delmarva at just 19 years of age. They sent him there, he struggled badly early but fought thru that to have a good year. They are very pleased with his season. I don't think they ever had any plans to move him up this year and were thrilled he could hold his own in the SALLY Lg at 19 years of age.
Steve
great work, steve!! thanks!!! you've done a terrific job all year of filling in the missing pieces of the re-building plan. i'm thinking this should be an exciting off season, and i'm looking forward to keeping up with it right here!
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Thanks a lot. - Steve
Steve:
With Brandon (Snyder) is in his second season in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). Could they be showcasing him for someone else? It seems the O's might... might be looking for someone that goes yard 25 to 35 times per year. They don't just fall off trees. Particularly players who can drive the ball the opposite way as well as "Brando" can. Having worked with him at Grand Slam USA, Mid~Atlantic Baseball School, Northern Virginia Baseball Academy, Snyder Baseball, Snyder Baseball at the Sandlot and Snyder~Hahne BPT, since 1993 when he was about 7 years old, there's no better young gap to gap doubles hitter that can mature into a .300+ ave, 35 to 40+ doubles with 10 to 20, maybe 25 HR pop in their organization. I know that Brandon would like to stay and be a big leaguer here. All his family is here. I also know he's a "pro" and will go where he's told to go if that's the case... Any thoughts...? I have some, but they would need to be offline.
Bob Schnebly
www.bobschnebly.com
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Bob, while the O's will listen to offers and deals involving anyone, I know they like Brandon Snyder a lot. Having said that, he may still have to prove he can beat out the likes of Luke Scott, Rhynes Hughes and Micheal Aubrey to win the job at first base. They won't hand it to him and I know he would not have it any other way.
I was talking to someone just last night about Snyder's gap to gap power. He probably won't hit 40 homers but like you say he will have a ton of extra-base hits and hit 15-25 homers as well.
A lot of people are talking now like the O's must acquire a 40-homer guy and that would be nice. But just in the improvement and growth of their young players they will get more homers from the guys already here. - Steve
Steve:
I'm sure you are correct that Brandon wants to earn it (IB in 2010), on the field and in the clubhouse by who he is and what he does with his "five tools" of which he has 4 at the solid to very good level. Running he's average with. He won't slow you down but he also will not be confused with Rickey Henderson any time soon either.
Bob Schnebly
www.bobschnebly.com
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Plus, no one should read anything into the fact he is unlikely for a Sept callup. Now is a time they are looking at Luke Scott and Micheal Aubrey at first base. Snyder's time will come. - Steve