Notes on coaching candidates, Erbe, Rowe and AFL (and Diering)

Brian Graham, the Orioles' coordinator of minor league instruction, is definitely being considered for the third base coaching job. So is Bobby Dickerson, the Orioles' minor league infield coordinator. They are two of the in-house candidates. Former Orioles shortstop and current MASN analyst Mike Bordick hasn't been contacted at this point. Bordick would be considered if the Orioles had a vacancy somewhere else on the staff, but manager Buck Showalter is seeking an experienced replacement for DeMarlo Hale, who was officially named the Toronto Blue Jays' bench coach this morning. The Phillies have signed Brandon Erbe (McDonogh) to a minor league contract, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark. The Orioles selected Erbe in the third round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, and Baseball America ranked him as the Orioles' No. 2 prospect the following season, but shoulder injuries wrecked his promising career. Erbe went 2-3 with a 6.82 ERA in 19 appearances at Single-A Frederick this summer, with 24 walks and 30 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings. Former Orioles reliever and pitching coach Ken Rowe passed away on Thanksgiving. He was 78. Rowe appeared in 12 games for the Orioles during the 1964 and 1965 seasons. He later served as their roving minor league pitching coordinator, and as pitching coach under managers Earl Weaver and Joe Altobelli. Rowe spent the last two years working in Arizona as an advisor for the Cleveland Indians. Another former Oriole, outfielder Chuck Diering, passed away Friday after falling at his home in Spanish Lake, Mo. He was 89. Diering spent his last three major league seasons with the Orioles in 1954-56. He was the first Most Valuable Oriole in '54. None of the Orioles' minor leaguers were named to the Arizona Fall League's 2012 Top Prospects Team, which is selected by managers and coaches. Here's the list: Outfielders Billy Hamilton (CIN) Rymer Liriano (SD) Christian Yelich (MIA) Kyle Jensen (MIA) Josh Prince (MIL) Nate Roberts (MIN) Third basemen Cody Asche (PHI) Anthony Rendon (WSH) Shortstops Didi Gregorius (CIN) Nick Ahmed (ATL) Second basemen Kolten Wong (STL) Nick Franklin (SEA) First basemen Chris McGuiness (TEX), MVP Jonathan Singleton (HOU) Catchers Mike Zunino (SEA) Austin Romine (NYY) Designated hitters Matt Skole (WSH) Bryce Brentz (BOS) Starting pitchers Justin Marks (KC) Kyle Gibson (MIN) Relievers Kevin Quackenbush (SD) Mark Montgomery (NYY)