Orioles sign 33rd-rounder, and other notes

The Orioles announced today that they signed right-hander Brandon Koch, their 33rd-round selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Temecula Valley (Calif.) High School. Koch had signed a national letter of intent to play for UC Riverside. Today was the deadline for signing picks. The Orioles continue to make changes to their minor league rosters, promoting reliever Jon Keller from low Single-A Delmarva to advanced Single-A Frederick. Keller, 21, was 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 24 appearances with the Shorebirds. He allowed 39 hits, walked 14 and struck out 66 in 56 2/3 innings. One night after making his Triple-A debut in right field, Dariel Alvarez is starting in center for Norfolk. Christian Walker is back at first base. Suk-min Yoon, on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement, will start Saturday night for the Tides. The Orioles don't have a starter listed for Wednesday night in Anaheim, but it's expected to be Chris Tillman. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that everyone would stay in turn. Wei-Yin Chen opposes former Oriole Jason Hammel on Saturday night in Oakland, and Kevin Gausman opposes Sonny Gray on Sunday. Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalez start the first two games against the Angels. The Orioles are 11-6 against the American League West this season, and their .647 winning percentage is the highest by any AL club versus the division. The Tigers are second at .593. Chris Davis' home run on Sunday night was the 41st go-ahead homer of the season for the Orioles. Davis ranks third on the club with six, trailing Nelson Cruz (eight) and Adam Jones (seven). Cruz is one RBI away from notching his sixth consecutive season of 20-plus home runs and 75-plus RBIs. Nick Markakis is one double away from collecting 20-plus in nine consecutive seasons. He would be the sixth player in franchise history with nine or more 20-plus double seasons, joining Cal Ripken, Jr. (17), Brooks Robinson (14), Eddie Murray (12) and Brady Anderson and Paul Blair (nine each).