Future Stars Awards -- May edition
Two months of the 2009 season are over, so let’s hand out the awards for May.
As I mentioned in last month’s entry, my goal is to recognize the best position player, starting pitcher and reliever in the Orioles’ minor league system at the end of each month in 2009.
The name of the honors -- "Future Stars Awards" -- is obviously fitting because, in most cases, these players represent the potential for future success with the Orioles. In fact, the “Position player of the month” in April was Nolan Reimold, who is already making an impact in the major leagues.
Of course, these choices are only my opinion -- based on the statistics and what I’ve witnessed -- so feel free to send in your selections if you disagree. You can speak your mind by posting a comment below this entry or e-mailing me if you want to remain anonymous.
For each award, I picked a winner and five players whose performance last month deserves notice by the loyal O’s on Deck readers. There are several other players who could make an argument to be considered, but I tried to narrow it down to six players in each category.
Position player of the month: Oscar Salazar, utility player, Norfolk Tides
Most Orioles fans would probably like to see Baysox first baseman Brandon Snyder in this spot, but Salazar produced better numbers at a higher level in the minor leagues last month. Salazar batted .375 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 27 games for the Tides in May. Overall, the 30-year-old utility player leads the International League with a .380 batting average through 48 games this season. Salazar also ranks second in RBIs (43), tied for second in doubles (16) and tied for third in home runs (10) in 2009.
Honorable mention (listed alphabetically): Xavier Avery, outfielder, Delmarva Shorebirds (.340, nine RBIs, five doubles, 13 runs scored, six stolen bases); Pedro Florimon Jr., infielder, Frederick Keys (.320, five home runs, 18 RBIs, seven doubles, 18 runs scored); Brandon Snyder, infielder, Bowie Baysox (.330, seven home runs, 25 RBIs, six doubles, 15 runs scored); Jonathan Tucker, utility player, Bowie (.315, 10 RBIs, 18 runs scored, 12 stolen bases); Brandon Waring, infielder, Frederick (.303, six home runs, 21 RBIs, six doubles, 14 runs scored)
Starting pitcher of the month: Brian Matusz, Frederick
The Orioles’ first-round selection in the 2008 MLB draft adjusted nicely to the Single-A Carolina League in May. Matusz was 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA in six starts for the Keys during the month. The 22-year-old left-hander struck out 43 batters and issued 11 walks in 39 innings in May. Matusz leads the Carolina League with 69 strikeouts. He is also first in the league with 60 2/3 innings and tied for second with a 2.37 ERA in 10 starts this season.
Honorable mention (listed alphabetically): Zach Britton, Frederick (2-0, 2.57 ERA, 27 Ks, 28 innings); David Hernandez, Norfolk (2-0, 1.52 ERA, 28 Ks, 23 2/3 innings); Troy Patton, Bowie (4-1, 2.17 ERA, 22 Ks, 29 innings); Chris Tillman, Norfolk (4-0, 2.63 ERA, 29 Ks, 24 innings); Rick Zagone, Delmarva (2-2, 2.10 ERA, 34 Ks, 30 innings)
Relief pitcher of the month: Jim Miller, Norfolk
If the Orioles need another reliever in the bullpen, you have to think Miller would be a promising candidate. The 27-year-old right-hander was 0-2 with a 1.17 ERA in eight appearances last season in the major leagues, and he excelled with the Tides in May. Miller was 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA and nine saves in 13 appearances for Norfolk last month. Overall, he leads the International League with 12 saves so far this season. Miller is 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA in 21 appearances in 2009.
Honorable mention (listed alphabetically): Brandon Cooney, Delmarva (2-1, 1.74 ERA, 10 appearances, 10 1/3 innings, three saves); Joe Esposito, Delmarva (1-0, 0.61 ERA, seven appearances, 14 2/3 innings); Eddie Gamboa, Delmarva (2-0, 1.04 ERA, eight appearances, 17 1/3 innings, one save); Luis Lebron, Frederick (1-1, 3.09 ERA, 10 appearances, 11 2/3 innings, six saves); Josh Perrault, Bowie (0-0, 1.42 ERA, 12 appearances, 12 2/3 innings, six saves)
Comments
Dean, do you see Florimon as a legit SS prospect that could possible take Izturis's place whe his contract is up? I also heard about the possibility of moving Waring to third. I would love to see Salazar on the O's but everybody acts as though he's a senior citizen.Signing Wiggy and not giving him a chance as a bench player is one of the biggest off season gaffes as far as I'm concerned.
The O's seem slower than slow makng in season promotions this year.No reason Matuz shouldn't be in Bowie,he was practically major league ready when they drafted him.
Posted by: John | June 3, 2009 6:33 AM
Dean, I have to disagree with your naming of Oscar Salazar for your position player award. While I agree he has better numbers at a higher level, the name of the award is the "Future Stars Award." Oscar is a 30 year old utility infielder, and is not even considered a prospect anymore. Shouldn't a player have to be considered a prospect, and have some upside to win this award?
Posted by: Samit | June 3, 2009 10:22 AM
Salazar should be with the O's. I think he deserves a shot. He has nothing more to prove in AAA. He is no longer a prospect, but definitely was "Player of the Month". As far as being a prospect is concerned, he is still unproven in the majors. In that regard, he is a prospect. He is just not a young prospect anymore.
Posted by: Frank Rizzo | June 5, 2009 12:08 AM