Minor league notes on Kline's velocity and more (plus a take on Jimenez)

When the Orioles' minor league break-camp rosters were published here yesterday, I counted 22 members of the organization's top 30 prospects from Baseball America on the four rosters.

Here is the breakdown:

* Single-A Frederick with seven: Chance Sisco (4), Jon Keller (13), Drew Dosch (15), David Hess (20), Adrian Marin (21), Josh Hart (25), Trey Mancini (30).

* Triple-A Norfolk with six: Christian Walker (3), Dariel Alvarez (5), Zach Davies (6), Mike Wright (8), Tyler Wilson (12), Henry Urrutia (14).

* Double-A Bowie with six: Dylan Bundy (1), Tim Berry (7), Mike Yastrzemski (9), Parker Bridwell (22), Branden Kline (26), Mychal Givens (27).

* Single-A Delmarva with three: Jomar Reyes (10), Brian Gonzalez (23), Jonah Heim (28).

Here are the eight ranked players not currently on a roster:

* No. 2 Hunter Harvey (injured)
* No. 11 Pat Connaughton (exploring NBA)
* No. 16 Stephen Tarpley (traded)
* No. 17 Jason Garcia (made O's roster)
* No. 18 Steve Brault (traded)
* No. 19 Michael Ohlman (traded)
* No. 24 Logan Verrett (claimed off waivers by Texas)
* No. 29 Ofelky Peralta (at extended spring training)

Right-hander Branden Kline is going to start the year in Double-A Bowie's rotation. His velocity has increased this year, but not to the level one report cited, according to Orioles director of player development Brian Graham.

Kline pitched in the low 90s last year, at times touching a bit higher than that, and this spring he has touched the mid 90s, but he didn't sit at 96-98 mph, touching 99 as a report indicated.

"He has had a spike in velocity, as much as three and four miles an hour at times," Graham said. "He has pitched in the mid 90s this spring. He's touched 95. He has pitched extremely well this spring."

Kline went 8-6 with a 3.84 ERA at Single-A Frederick and went 0-2 with a 5.94 ERA in three late-season starts at Bowie in 2014. He allowed just one run in two of those Baysox starts, but gave up nine over 4 2/3 innings in the other one.

Graham also discussed right-hander Hunter Harvey's progress. When the Orioles announced that a CT scan on Harvey's right fibula revealed a slight fracture on March 22, they felt the recovery time would be four to six weeks. That timeframe still stands for the organization's No. 2 prospect.

"Right now, it is complete rest," Graham said. "He is not throwing and doing a little bit of upper body conditioning. This thing has to heal."

There is a chance that if doctors approve of his progress, Harvey could begin a throwing program about three weeks out from his injury, sometime around mid-April.

"It all depends on the progress, according to the doctor," Graham said.

Also, three O's minor league pitchers scheduled to begin the season on the disabled list are Dane De La Rosa, Matt Taylor and Jesse Beal.

Jimenez to start fifth game: With an off-day coming up on Thursday, the Orioles could have pitched opening day starter Chris Tillman on normal rest Saturday in their fifth game. But manager Buck Showalter announced today that Ubaldo Jimenez will start the fifth game and that Kevin Gausman will open the season in the bullpen.

As for Jimenez, I think starting him the fifth game - and not pushing him back and skipping him - is the best decision. The Orioles and Jimenez both worked hard together to get him pitching well and he had a strong camp. There is no reason to mess with that now by having his first start come on eight or 10 days' rest. He is in a good rhythm, so why not try to keep it that way?

As for Gausman, I see him impacting several games in a positive way out of the bullpen early in the year and getting into the rotation before too long. When that will be and how it will come about, I don't have a crystal ball. Jimenez, though, has pitched well and it is in the club's best interest to try and keep it that way.