A look at the O's minor league pitcher that started his career with 32 2/3 scoreless innings

He has a unique name and a career ERA of 0.00 on the O's farm since being drafted in June. But most fans have never heard his name, as unforgettable as it is.

Right-hander Christian Turnipseed has pitched in 24 games since the 2015 draft and has not allowed a run over 32 2/3 innings. He did allow two inherited runners to score while pitching for Single-A Delmarva yesterday on his way to getting the last out of its 4-3 win over Hagerstown. Earlier, he had stranded eight of eight inherited runners.

He did pick up his third save. In five games this year for the Shorebirds, the 23-year-old has pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing just one hit over 14 at-bats. He pitched for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles and short-season Single-A Aberdeen in 2015.

Turnipseed's career stats through yesterday are: 32 2/3 innings, 12 hits, no runs, eight walks and 35 strikeouts. He has a 0.61 WHIP and a .111 batting average against.

So why have you not heard of this guy? Well, for one, reporters like me have not written much about him. And he doesn't show up on any of those top prospects lists. At least not yet.

The Orioles selected him in June in round 28 with the 853rd overall pick out of Georgia Gwinnett College. He signed his first pro contract on June 26. During a radio interview yesterday with me on 105.7 the Fan, I asked O's director of player development Brian Graham about Turnipseed.

"First of all, he is a great kid," Graham said. "You talk about a tough kid, he gets on the mound at the end of a ballgame and he grunts and moans and puts a lot of effort into his delivery. He goes right after hitters and he is as competitive as all heck.

"He's going to be a guy that is going to have to pitch at every level and bust his way up from level to level. But when you pitch that well, you are going to get your opportunities."

Turnipseed throws just two pitches, but those pitches have obviously served him well so far in the minors.

"He's a two-pitch guy with a fastball and a hard breaking ball," Graham said. "He's only 5-10 or 5-11, he's stocky and strong. He doesn't profile from a body (standpoint). But you know what? He challenges hitters. He pitches inside. The fastball is plus at 92 or 93 (mph). He doesn't back down."

Makes you wonder how he was still around that late in the draft.

"I think when you profile pitchers, this guy is a max-effort guy," Graham said. "And as a 5-10 or 5-11 right-hander with max effort, they are not guys that profile. You're looking for 6-2 or 6-4, clean delivery, long arms. That is the guy you are looking to draft, they are projectable. Guys like Turnipseed, they are just good pitchers. But he was a really good draft pick."

I've written previously about Turnipseed's scoreless streak and feel certain to jinx that by mentioning it. But at this point, the young man deserves his props for a stunning start to his O's career.

Walker in left field: During the same interview yesterday, Graham said Christian Walker is doing fine so far playing left field for Triple-A Norfolk. He broke the wrong way once or twice on balls hit into swirling winds and will need more experience to handle such chances.

The Orioles are working to get Walker game-type experience in left before the game even starts many nights.

"It is all about the experience and we have gone as far as to put simulations up in Norfolk," Graham, said. "We have a coach throw BP to a hitter and have him hit bullets to left field. Fly balls, line drives, ground balls. We are simulating game situations where, man on second base (for instance) and it's a pitch and hit like a game.

"I call it a live simulation, which is obviously a contradiction. But we are simulating a game situation but it's live. Christian Walker is doing a lot of that. You know it's a process to start being an outfielder in your second year at Triple-A baseball."

Road trip wrapup: Here are some of the stats from an Orioles' road trip shortened to six games by Sunday's rainout, one where the Orioles went 3-3.

The team hit .286/.360/.568 with an OPS of .928 in the six games with 15 doubles and 15 homers. The O's scored 38 runs (6.3 per game) and allowed 35 runs (5.8 per game). The team ERA was 5.82 on the trip with a .296 average against and WHIP of 1.49. The starters' ERA was 7.52.

More patience?: Through 11 games the Orioles have taken more pitches in the 2016 season than a season ago. They have averaged seeing 3.98 pitches per plate appearance to rank fifth in the American League. Last year, they were at 3.81 to rank 11th.

AL leaders, team pitches per plate appearance (through Saturday's games):
4.13 - Minnesota
4.10 - Toronto
4.07 - Houston
4.04 - New York
3.98 - Orioles