As many fans know, the Orioles sent several prospects to participate in the Arizona Fall League this season. The league began play last Tuesday, so it’s a good time to take a look at how the players from the Orioles’ minor league system are performing.

The league has two divisions – American and National – with three teams in each division. The Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Saguaros and Scottsdale Scorpions play in the American Division, while the Peoria Javelinas, Phoenix Desert Dogs and Surprise Rafters compete in the National Division.

The Orioles sent eight representatives to play in Arizona in 2008. Catcher Matt Wieters, infielders Blake Davis and Brandon Snyder, outfielder Nolan Reimold and pitchers Ryan Keefer, Brian Matusz, Bob McCrory and Chad Thall are all playing for Surprise.

Through Sunday, Surprise and Phoenix are both 2-3 and one game behind the Javelinas in the National Division. The Saguaros are 5-0 and leading the American Division, while Mesa is 2-3 and Scottsdale is 1-4.

Here are updates on the Orioles' prospects through Sunday:

Blake Davis, SS – Davis is still searching for his first hit in Arizona. The 24-year-old shortstop is 0-for-9 in two games so far with the Rafters. Davis, who was selected by the Orioles in the fourth round of the 2006 draft, hit .284 with 22 doubles, 57 runs scored and 53 RBIs in 132 games for the Bowie Baysox in 2008.

Ryan Keefer, RHP – The 27-year-old reliever hasn’t pitched for Surprise yet. I’m not sure if there’s something wrong with Keefer, but I’ll try to find out more information and pass it along as soon as possible. Keefer, who was the Orioles’ 13th-round draft pick in 2000, was 2-4 with a 4.80 ERA in 65 2/3 innings for Bowie this season.

Brian Matusz, LHP – Matusz pitched well in his professional debut on Saturday. The 21-year-old left-hander picked up the victory after throwing three scoreless innings against Mesa. Matusz retired the first seven hitters of the game before walking Nate Spears with one out in the third inning. Does that name sound familiar to anyone? You’re a true baseball fan – or pretty good at using search engines – if you know how Spears is connected to the Orioles. Anyway, Matusz is scheduled to pitch again on Friday. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the rest of the season.

Bob McCrory, RHP – The 26-year-old reliever gave up two unearned runs last Thursday against Scottsdale in 2/3 of an inning. McCrory hit a batter, walked one and had one strikeout in the game. He was 2-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 45 innings for Norfolk this season. The numbers in the major leagues were a lot worse for the Orioles’ fourth-round pick in the 2003 draft. He gave up 12 runs (11 earned) in 6 1/3 innings with the Orioles in 2008. It’s important that McCrory works on his command in the fall league if he plans on helping the Orioles next season.

Nolan Reimold, OF – Reimold, who celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday, is off to a slow start in the fall league. The outfielder is 1-for-10 with two strikeouts in three games for Surprise, but he had a game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning against Scottsdale on Oct. 9. Reimold is playing in Arizona for the third consecutive year. He had six home runs and 23 RBIs in the league last season.

Brandon Snyder, 1B – Snyder is 4-for-7 in two games for Surprise. The 21-year-old first baseman was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI against the Javelinas on Oct. 8. He was 1-for-3 with a run scored as the designated hitter last Friday against Mesa. Snyder, who was selected by the Orioles in the first round of the 2005 draft, hit .315 with 13 home runs and 80 RBIs in 116 games for the Frederick Keys in 2008.

Chad Thall, LHP – The 23-year-old left-hander allowed three runs and seven hits in one inning against the Javelinas on Oct. 7. Thall rebounded in his second appearance on Oct. 10 against Mesa with two strikeouts, but he still allowed one run and two hits in one inning during that game. In 45 games split between Frederick and Bowie in 2008, Thall was 1-0 with a 3.02 ERA and nine saves.

Matt Wieters, C – The Orioles’ first-round pick in last year’s draft is second in the fall league in batting average (.538) through the first week. Wieters is 7-for-13 with two doubles, one triple and five runs scored for Surprise. The 22-year-old catcher was 4-for-4 against Scottsdale on Oct. 9 and he has at least one hit in all four games that he’s played. Wieters hasn’t hit a home run yet, but there’s still plenty of time for the top prospect to display his power before the league ends.

If you’re interested, here are some archived photos of Matusz and Wieters, as well as some of the Orioles’ previous first-round draft picks.