Long road through the minors could culminate in a big award for L.J. Hoes

Since his callup to the major leagues on September 11, L.J. Hoes has not appeared in one game for the Orioles although tomorrow could be a very big day for him at Camden Yards, even if he doesn't play in the game. Hoes is considered the favorite to win the Brooks Robinson Award, which goes to the O's minor league Player of the Year. Between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk this season, the 22-year-old Hoes batted .287 with five homers, 54 RBIs and an OPS of .759. His stats actually got better as he moved up to Triple-A. In 82 games with the Tides, he batted .300 with three homers, 38 RBIs and a .771 OPS. "It would be tremendous (to get that award)," Hoes said this afternoon. "I've definitely worked for it. It would mean a lot to me and my family. Everyday I've tried to go out and do my best. To win the award would be an honor. I guess I'll find out tonight or tomorrow." Hoes is very aware of some of the other top candidates, because he played with them this summer. "There are a lot of good guys," Hoes said. "Ty Kelly had an unbelievable year, he swung the bat really well. Robbie Widlansky swung the bat well, even Buck Britton is up there. Some guys I played with in Bowie had tremendous years. That Bowie team did a tremendous job this year to get to the playoffs." It is quite an accomplish for Hoes to be here in Baltimore at just 22 years old. He has played for six different farm teams, starting in the Gulf Coast League in 2008 not long after he was drafted in round three out of St. John's (DC) High School. "You think from where I was, GCL, to get all the way here," Hoes said. "To see where I came from. How opened my eyes were those first couple weeks in GCL out of high school. I was learning how to play every day. Remember riding the buses in Delmarva. It's all been tremendous and I'm thankful to be here."