The Orioles' minor league teams are playing over .500 ball

With the Orioles struggling so badly at the major league level, the Orioles' minor league and player development departments are getting some criticism from the fan base. It certainly does not correlate directly to the amount of prospects the organization produces, but the Orioles do have an overall winning record as of today of 273-263 among all their farm clubs. While Triple-A Norfolk is 27 games under .500, three other clubs are in first place right now and Double-A Bowie is just a game and a half out. Here is the rundown: Norfolk is 39-66 Bowie is 57-46 Single-A Frederick is 63-39 Single-A Delmarva is 48-55 Short-season Single-A Aberdeen is 13-27 Gulf Coast League is 20-13 Dominican Summer League team is 33-18 Frederick has the best record in the Carolina League. After winning the first half, the Keys also lead their division in the second half at 22-11. The Orioles' GCL and Dominican League teams are also in first place. In other notes from the minors, Ryan Adams is batting .341 (14-for-41) over his last 10 games with Norfolk, with six multi-hit contests in that span. Bowie's Xavier Avery now has a 13-game hitting streak, raising his average from .265 to .276. He has scored 13 runs with six doubles during the streak. (In game one of a doubleheader today, a loss at New Britain, Avery extended the streak to 14 games. Also, LJ Hoes went 3-for-3 with two more homers and is batting .319). Orioles 2011 third-round pick, pitcher Mike Wright of East Carolina pitched six scoreless innings for Aberdeen at Jamestown last night. He gave up just three hits. Aberdeen's Joe Velleggia has a 10-game hitting streak. The longest streak of the season by an IronBird was the 11-gamer by Glynn Davis. Delmarva's David Walters recorded his 24th save last night and that is now tied for fifth best in a single-season in Shorebirds' history. Delmarva's single-season saves leaders: 33 - Derek Brown, 1998 27 - Mick Mattaliano, 2008 26 - Jayme Sperring, 2001 25 - Rommie Lewis, 2002 24 - David Walters, 2011 and Ryan Kohlmeier, 1997. If you didn't get a chance to read my blog from this morning or to leave a comment, click here to check that out.