Minor league notes on Bridwell, Walker and more

Single-A Frederick pitcher Parker Bridwell has been named the Pitcher of the Week in the Carolina League after his near no-hitter last Tuesday.

Bridwell becomes the first Key to be named Pitcher of the Week since Tyler Wilson won the award in September 2012. Bridwell was the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week last August.

He lost a no-hitter with one out in the ninth against the Potomac Nationals. Bridwell established a new career high for innings pitched at 8 1/3, which is the longest outing by a Frederick pitcher in 2014. The 22-year-old right-hander also finished with a season-high eight strikeouts.

The Orioles' No. 19 rated prospect according to Baseball America, Bridwell is 1-5 with a 5.61 ERA. He will start on Tuesday night for Frederick.

Double-A Bowie first baseman Christian Walker has been named Eastern League Player of the Week. This is the second time this season Walker has won the award, also winning for the week ending April 20.

Walker hit .458 (11-for-24) for the week with three doubles, two home runs, six RBIs and five runs scored. He hit safely in all six games with four multi-hit efforts. In 41 games on the year, Walker is batting .325 with six doubles, nine homers and 33 RBIs. He leads the league in RBIs and is tied for second in homers.

The Orioles' No. 18-ranked prospect hit 11 homers in 103 games over three levels in 2013. He has nine this year in 41 Baysox games.

Here are some hitters performing well on the farm in May:

* Triple-A Norfolk first baseman Brett Wallace is batting .391 with five homers, 14 RBIs and a 1.138 OPS during the month.

* Bowie's Niuman Romero is batting .344 with no homers and six RBIs.

* Frederick outfielder Lucas Herbst is batting .328 with one homer, eight RBIs and an .839 OPS.

* Single-A Delmarva first baseman Trey Mancini is batting .358 with no homers and eight RBIs. Shorebirds outfielder Josh Hart is batting .333 with no homers and seven RBIs.

Some pitchers having strong months on the farm:

* Bowie right-hander Oliver Drake is 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA and four saves in four chances. He has fanned 10 in five innings.

* Frederick right-hander Gene Escat is 0-1 with a 0.79 ERA. Over 11 innings in May he has walked three and fanned 15.

* Delmarva right-hander Dennis Torres is a 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings.

This is by no means a full list of players performing well on the farm in May, but a chance to mention some notable performances.