Delmarva's Alex Wells named O's minor league Pitcher of Year

After a year in which he led the South Atlantic League in ERA and didn't walk a batter over his last 68 innings, Single-A Delmarva's Alex Wells has been named the Orioles minor league Pitcher of the Year. He wins the Jim Palmer Award.

The 20-year left-hander from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia finished 11-5 with a 2.38 ERA for the Shorebirds. He also led the South Atlantic League in WHIP at 0.91 and finished tied for second in wins. Wells walked just 10 batters all year and fanned 113 in 140 innings. In addition to going those last 68 innings since June 25 without a walk, he walked just two batters his last 17 starts and 98 1/3 innings.

Wells posted a career high in strikeouts and he recorded 17 quality starts in 25 games. In 11 starts at home, he went 7-0 with a 1.75 ERA, three walks and 52 strikeouts in 67 innings. His 10 walks are the fewest in all of minor league baseball (minimum 110.0 innings pitched). He held right-handed batters to a .215 average and lefty batters hit .237 (40-for-169)

He had a streak of 36 consecutive scoreless innings from June 30 to July 30. In five starts in July, Wells did not allow a run or a walk, going 3-0 with 26 strikeouts in 31 innings. He was selected as both the South Atlantic League Player of the Month and the Orioles minor league Pitcher of the Month for July. He was also named a South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star with the Shorebirds.

Wells throws his fastball between 87 and 91 mph and also features a curve and changeup. His ability to consistently repeat his delivery and release point gives him great control and command. The Orioles signed him for $300,000 as an international amateur in August 2015.

Wells will be presented with his award tonight during a pregame ceremony with Orioles director of player development Brian Graham and Orioles director of Pacific Rim operations and baseball development Mike Snyder.

Recipients of the remaining player development and scouting awards for 2017, including the Brooks Robinson minor league Player of the Year, the Elrod Hendricks minor league Community Service Award, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Player Development Award, and the Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award will be announced during the club's final homestand.

Hays is a finalist: Double-A Bowie outfielder Austin Hays is one of five finalists for Baseball America's national minor league Player of the Year award. The winner will be announced Friday.

In 128 games between Single-A Frederick and Bowie, Hays hit .329/.365/.593 with 32 doubles, five triples, 32 homers, 81 runs, 95 RBIs and an OPS of .958.

The other four finalists are Ron Acuna from Atlanta, Toronto's Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero and Jon Duplantier of Arizona.