Orioles make a few scouting staff changes

There have been a few changes in the Orioles' scouting department. David Stockstill is now handling some amateur scouting work with assignments in Missouri and Arkansas, in addition to continuing to handle some international scouting as well. Stockstill added some amateur duties this summer before the draft last June. A member of the O's minor league staff for the last 17 years, Stockstill has been the Orioles director of international operations for the last three seasons. Jim Howard was recently moved to the new position of special assignment scout where he will have both pro and amateur assignments. Howard had previously been the club's area amateur scout covering New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In September, Howard was named the winner of the Orioles' Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award, named in honor of the man who spent 33 years in various scouting capacities with the Orioles beginning with their move from St. Louis in 1954. Howard has been an Orioles scout for 24 years, having started with the organization in 1988. He contributed directly to the 2012 Orioles squad by making key recommendations to acquire pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindtrom. He signed All-Star closer Jim Johnson after the Orioles selected him in the fifth round of the 2001 draft out of Union-Endicott (NY) High School, and was instrumental in the decision to draft Kevin Gausman fourth overall this past June. Ted Lekas, the O's amateur scout that was assigned to cover New England and eastern Canada, is leaving the organization to get back into pro scouting. He has been replaced by Kirk Fredrikson who will handle New England, New York and parts of Canada for the club. Since 1996, Fredrikson has worked with the New England Collegiate Baseball League, a college summer league, where he met Dan Duquette. The 47-year-old Fredrikson, who began his new position on Nov. 1, recruited players to play in the league. His biggest addition for the NECBL was when he recruited Stephen Strasburg to pitch for the Torrington Twisters. Fredrikson, whose coverage area includes six states, has also previously worked as an associate scout for the Angels.