Pen power: After solid 2013, Matt Hobgood to pitch out of bullpen again this season

After pitching out of the bullpen last season, Orioles 2009 first-round pick Matt Hobgood, will return to a 'pen role in 2014. O's director of player development Brian Graham confirmed that during an interview Sunday night. Not only that, but he said the 23-year-old right-hander has a chance to begin this year pitching at the Double-A level for the first time as a pro. After Hobgood underwent shoulder surgery in early 2012 and missed all of that season, the 2009 fifth overall pick returned last season and went 9-4 with a 4.32 ERA in 24 games at Single-A Delmarva and nine games at Single-A Frederick. Over 93 2/3 innings, Hobgood gave up 90 hits with 39 walks and 72 strikeouts. He had an excellent 1.94 ground-to-air ratio and allowed a .256 average against. "The quality of his pitches was much better out of the bullpen," Graham said. "He made good steps forward last year in staying healthy and his velocity jumped up and his curveball was a good pitch. He threw more often and rebounded fine. That is something to be positive about." As last summer went on, Hobgood was pitching often at 92 and 93 mph with his fastball, which was topping out at times in the mid-90s. Since Hobgood is a top draft pick signed to a $2.422 million dollar signing bonus and the club has a significant investment in him, the decision to keep him in the bullpen was an organizational decision where the Orioles' top decision-makers were involved. "It was a recommendation by the minor league staff, but it was also agreed upon by everybody in the organization," Graham said. Even though Hobgood's career was earlier stalled by injuries, the bullpen decision was more about how his pitches played up out of the 'pen, Graham said, then a concession to past injury problems. "Absolutely, yes. I think he likes it. If fits his mentality," Graham said. "He can see that his velocity has gone up and I think he's happy about his performance." Maybe the O's are looking to make up for some lost time here, but the pitcher that will turn 24 in August could begin the season with Double-A Bowie if he pitches well enough in camp, even after just 30 2/3 innings last summer in the Single-A Carolina League. "I hope he makes the Double-A team and I'm sure he hopes for that as well. He has a very legitimate chance to make that club and deserves an opportunity to compete for a spot in Double-A," Graham said. Meanwhile, some O's minor league players are already throwing and working out at the club's Twin Lakes park facility in Sarasota, Fla. There was a group of players that reported to an early minor league camp. Here are the players that reported to that camp last Friday: Pitchers - Steven Brault, Parker Bridwell, Zach Davies, Oliver Drake, Jason Gurka, Hunter Harvey, Branden Kline, Aaron Laffey, Marcel Prado, Stephen Tarpley, Luis Vizcaino, Brady Wager, Tyler Wilson. Catchers - David Freitas, Steel Russell, Wynston Sawyer, Chance Sisco. Infielders - Buck Britton, Drew Dosch, Trey Mancini, Adrian Marin, Garabez Rosa, Sharlon Schoop, Christian Walker. Outfielders - Dariel Alvarez, Chih-Hsien Chiang, Josh Hart, Kyeoung Kang, Mike Yastrzemski. The bulk of the club's minor league players report dates are now just days away. Minor league pitchers and catchers officially report Feb. 28 and position players report March 4. The first minor league spring training games are set for March 12. The Orioles will have about 160 players together once everyone is in camp and that number will grow as the O's reduce their major league camp roster and send players over to Twin Lakes. Graham said there are no injuries to report and no players being counted on to play this season are limited as camp is about to start. "Nope. As of right now, we are going the right direction and everyone is healthy," he said. Feel free to leave any O's minor league comments and/or questions here today. Also, you can of course leave comments on the big league club anytime here. I hope fans don't feel a question or comment has to be "on topic" as it relates to the blog content. As long as we are talking Orioles here, I assure you we have the right topic. The fun of each day is reading the fans' opinions, so keep them coming.