Hays and Wilkerson included on Glendale roster in AFL

Double-A Bowie outfielder Austin Hays and Triple-A Norfolk infielder Steve Wilkerson are the only confirmed Orioles assigned to the Glendale Desert Dogs roster in the Arizona Fall League.

The Orioles have four spots saved for pitchers and one for a catcher, who will be announced at a later date.

As I wrote yesterday, Bowie catcher Martin Cervenka would have to re-sign as a minor league free agent before the Orioles could send him to Arizona.

Orioles minor league infield coordinator Dave Anderson will manage the Desert Dogs.

Hays, 23, is batting .240/.269/.420 with 11 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 36 RBIs in 61 games with Bowie. He's 6-for-19 with three doubles, two home runs and six RBIs in the last four games.

Wilkerson, 26, was batting .270/.329/.500 with five doubles, four home runs and 13 RBIs in 20 games with Norfolk before going on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. He's supposed to begin baseball activities in the first week of September and the Orioles will arrange some games for him if the Tides don't qualify for the playoffs.

The Orioles had to place Wilkerson on the DL with an oblique injury earlier this summer. He was 4-for-17 with a double and two RBIs in seven games with the club and could compete for a utility job in spring training.

Hays and Wilkerson are expected to be part of the expanded September roster. Manager Buck Showalter said a few players likely will be added Saturday and others will arrive later in the month.

A scout from outside the organization views Hays as having the potential to become a regular outfielder in the majors.

"Very aggressive, athletic player, five-tool guy," he wrote in an e-mail. "Austin made some highlight reel catches in right field. He plays hard and hustles. He was still getting his timing back, but he has plus bat speed and power potential. He's still figuring out the bat, but he has a big upside. I see him as an everyday guy with upside."

The first AFL games will be played on Oct. 9, with the championship on Nov. 17. The 13th annual Fall Stars Game is scheduled for Nov. 3 at Surprise Stadium.