Checking some stats on the pitching, defense and minors

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 21, 2012, 2:27pm

Comments

While awaiting tonight's second game of the series in Anaheim, it is clear that the Orioles need to begin to come up with some better pitching and defense pretty soon. Pitching and defense were staples of the club during the glory years of the '60s and '70s, but is eluding them in recent games. The Orioles made three errors last night. In addition to that, the club has just two quality starts from pitchers over the last 11 games and the starters' ERA is 5.69 in that stretch. Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters lead the club with three errors each through 14 games. The club's 16 errors so far are at least twice as many as 10 American League clubs. AL, worst fielding teams by percentage: .971 - Orioles .979 - Angels .981 - Twins AL, most errors by team: 16 - Orioles 11 - Angels 10 - Twins Here are some Orioles minor league organizational leaders at this early stage of the season. Batting average leaders: .415 - Ronnie Welty, Frederick .381 - Ty Kelly, Frederick .370 - Gabriel Lino, Delmarva .349 - John Ruettiger, Delmarva ERA leaders: 0.54 - Scott Copeland, Frederick 0.60 - Jason Berken, Norfolk 2.00 - Jacob Pettit, Bowie 2.25 - Mike Wright, Frederick Ranking the clubs by runs scored: 93 - Delmarva 71 - Bowie 65 - Frederick 53 - Norfolk Ranking the clubs by team ERA: 3.20 - Delmarva 4.08 - Norfolk 4.17 - Frederick 4.34 - Bowie