The backstory on how Ashur Tolliver found out about his callup

HOUSTON - When Double-A Bowie manager Gary Kendall found out that left-hander Ashur Tolliver, a minor leaguer since 2009, was finally getting the call to the big leagues, he knew he had to do something special when telling Tolliver he was about to join the Orioles.

When he has told players they were going to the majors in the past, Kendall usually calls them into the office and whole coaching joins him to pass on the good news. But this time, Kendall took it a step further. After all, he has managed Tolliver the last three years and he was also his first pro manager in 2009 at short season, Single-A Aberdeen.

So this time, Tolliver found out in front the entire Bowie Baysox team.

"We gathered the team together and I had (pitching coach) Alan Mills deliver the news," Kendall said. "Here's a guy that works with him and is very responsible for his development and he's had Ashur now for two years. He delivered the news in front of our entire team. Then there was a lot of applause and hugging. We are all really happy for him."

Tolliver has pitched mostly in the seventh and eighth innings this year. Featuring a fastball, changeup and curve with velocity ranging from 90 to 95 mph, usually sitting at 92, 93 mph, the left-hander has gone 1-1 with two saves and a 2.42 ERA for Bowie. Over 26 innings he has allowed 22 hits with eight walks, 25 strikeouts and a .237 average against.

"He's a wiry left-handed that really pitches aggressively," Kendall said. "He really goes after the hitters. He's got a solid fastball, good changeup and the curveball he is continuing to develop and it's coming along. The Orioles want it to be a (good enough) pitch that he can get left-handed hitters out with it. It's not a bad curveball. It is just a pitch that is not as far along right now as his changeup.

"He has always had success against right-handed hitters because his changeup is so good and he pitches inside. His changeup was a swing and miss changeup at our level. He is really a quality young man."

After spending so much time on the farm, Kendall is thrilled for Tolliver. He said the 28-year-old lefty really started to get the Orioles' attention last season.

"I think some people saw him and liked him last year and that led a big league invite this year and I think he opened up some eyes there," Kendall said. "He's a relentless worker, but he's quiet. You don't even know he's on the ballclub, he's so quiet. But it couldn't happen to a nicer guy."