Minor league pitching notes on Harvey, Hobgood and Wilson

The Orioles' 2013 first-round pick, right-hander Hunter Harvey, made his second pro appearance today in the O's Gulf Coast League game against Tampa Bay. Harvey gave up three hits and two runs in the first inning of his outing today. He pitched a scoreless second inning. Harvey's line today: 2 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 0 walks, 1 strikeout. Harvey started and pitched a scoreless inning in his pro debut a week ago today. The Orioles want Harvey to throw two bullpen sessions between his outings so the schedule he is on right now is to take one day off the day after he pitches, then throw a bullpen, take two days off, throw a bullpen session, take a day off and then pitch in a game. Right-hander Matt Hobgood picked up his first win in the Carolina League last night for Single-A Frederick. In two outings since he moved to the Keys from Single-A Delmarva, Hobgood has pitched 8 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs with four walks, nine strikeouts and a .222 average against. I asked O's director of player development Brian Graham the reasons behind Hobgood's recent promotion to Frederick. "It's a good challenge for him for the rest of the season," Graham said. "He's pitched very well this year. He's shown arm strength and the ability to throw strikes. The fact that he has been able to maintain his velocity is a huge plus. If he can get through this next five weeks healthy, then it's been an extremely successful season." Hobgood has been throwing his fastball between 92 and 95 mph, touching 96 mph at times. For now, he will remain pitching out of the bullpen. "He's a bullpen guy. It seems like it might be his best role. You never say never, but it seems to be a role that he fits into very well," Graham said. Meanwhile, at Double-A Bowie, right-hander Tyler Wilson is doing very well after pitching earlier with Frederick. The O's 10th-round pick out of the University of Virginia in 2011, Wilson went 1-1 with a 4.48 ERA in 11 starts with Frederick. But his stats have gotten better as he moved up to the Eastern League. With Bowie, Wilson is 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA and a .195 batting average against. "You know what? He is commanding the baseball and throwing strikes much better than he did early in the season at Frederick. In 2012, he did the same thing, commanding the ball and throwing strikes down in the zone. Early at Frederick this year, he didn't do that and his walks were up," Graham said of Wilson. Wilson walked 25 in 62 1/3 innings with Frederick and has walked only 14 in 51 innings with Bowie. As the 23-year-old right-hander moved up a level, he stepped up his command as well and the results are showing.