Future Stars Awards -- June edition
We're more than halfway through the minor league season, so it's time to pass out the awards for June.
If you've checked out the awards for the past two months (April and May), you'll remember that 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. There is one top prospect and two sleepers in the awards for this month.
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: Robbie Widlansky, utility player, Frederick Keys
Widlansky, who didn't join the Keys until May 19, batted .395 with 17 RBIs during the month of June. The 24-year-old utility player collected seven doubles and 12 runs scored during that span. Widlansky, who was selected by the Orioles in the 11th round of the 2007 MLB draft, earned Carolina League Player of the Week honors for the week ending on June 21. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed hitter was selected to the New York-Penn League All-Star team in 2008 after hitting .279 with four home runs and 29 RBIs in 43 games for the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds.
Honorable mention (listed alphabetically): Miguel Abreu, second baseman, Bowie Baysox (.306, 10 RBIs, 12 doubles, 11 runs scored); Matt Angle, outfielder, Frederick (.304, nine RBIs, 17 runs scored, 10 stolen bases); Jeff Fiorentino, outfielder, Norfolk Tides (.338, 12 RBIs, nine doubles, 18 runs scored); Joey Gathright, outfielder, Norfolk (.372, six doubles, 14 runs scored, 10 stolen bases); Ronnie Welty, outfielder, Delmarva Shorebirds (.315, three home runs, 14 RBIs, 14 runs scored)
Starting pitcher of the month: Brian Matusz, Bowie
For the second consecutive month, Matusz earns recognition as the top starting pitcher in the Orioles' minor league system. The 22-year-old left-hander was 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA in two starts for the Baysox during the month of June after being promoted from Frederick. Matusz struck out 15 batters and issued four walks in 11 1/3 innings during those two games. Prior to his promotion, Matusz was 4-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 11 starts for the Keys. He collected 75 strikeouts and walked 21 hitters in 66 2/3 innings in the Carolina League.
Honorable mention (listed alphabetically): Tim Bascom, Bowie (2-1, 3.75 ERA, 24 innings, 19 strikeouts, seven walks); Zach Britton, Frederick (2-1, 1.61 ERA, 28 innings, 28 strikeouts, eight walks); John Mariotti, Bowie (2-3, 1.70 ERA, 37 innings, 14 strikeouts, 16 walks); Kenny Moreland, Aberdeen (3-0, 1.27 ERA, 21 1/3 innings, 11 strikeouts, one walk); Chris Tillman, Norfolk (0-5, 3.89 ERA, 34 2/3 innings, 31 strikeouts, eight walks)
Relief pitcher of the month: T.R. Keating, Delmarva
Keating joined the Shorebirds from extended spring training on May 30, and he immediately made an impact in the bullpen. The 23-year-old right-hander was 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in eight appearances for Delmarva during the month of June. Keating, who was selected by the Orioles in the 34th round of the 2008 MLB draft, struck out 16 batters and only allowed one walk in 15 2/3 innings last month. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound relief pitcher was 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA and two saves in 28 2/3 innings for the rookie-level Bluefield Orioles in 2008.
Honorable mention (listed alphabetically): Kam Mickolio, Norfolk (1-0, 1.42 ERA, 11 appearances, 12 2/3 innings); Jim Miller, Norfolk (0-1, 2.61 ERA, nine appearances, 10 1/3 innings, four saves); Josh Perrault, Bowie (0-2, 2.70 ERA, 12 appearances, 10 innings, seven saves); Stephen Procner, Aberdeen (0-0, 0.87 ERA, four appearances, 10 1/3 innings); Ryohei Tanaka, Bowie (0-0, 0.00 ERA, eight appearances, 12 innings, three saves)
Comments
I know there has been an unwritten ban on Bill Rowell bashing but...can anyone find a current major leaguer who only hit .235 in A ball, because I can't. Even Greg Zaun hit .255, and Felix Pie hit .300. With Melvin Mora in full-fledged decline, we are in dire need of a credible 3B prospect somewhere in the farm system. Rowell is out, who is left?
Posted by: Josh | July 6, 2009 9:48 AM
Ummm, how about Oscar Salazar? The guy only hit .372 at Norfolk before being called up, and is hitting .400+ for the O's in sporadic duty. He also plays a tolerable 3rd base, as does Ty Wigginton. Or move Huff to 3rd which he plays well and put Salazar at 1st. Or move Huff and Roberts for some minor league prospects. I don't think AM can get 5 players each for them as he did with Tejada and Bedard, but maybe he can get 3 apiece and restock the minor league teams with some infielders.
RESPONSE FROM DEAN: I selected Salazar as the award winner for May. He only played four games with the Tides in June before being promoted, so I'm not 100% sure he should qualify for this month. With that said, I agree with you that he is doing well with the Orioles.
Posted by: Jim | July 6, 2009 1:13 PM
What is Scott Moore's status? He had a great spring and was doing pretty good at Triple A until he had a hand injury I believe about a month or 2 ago. Is there any update on his injury?
RESPONSE FROM DEAN: O's Fan In The Bronx -- First of all, kudos for being an Orioles fan in Yankees country. Second, last I heard (which was a few days ago), Moore told The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec that he wasn't optimistic on a return this season. Tough setback.
Posted by: O's Fan In The Bronx | July 6, 2009 1:17 PM
Thanks for the info, Dean. Is Tillman really winless? If so, is it just really bad luck? I'm not so worried about 3B post-Mora. A trade is possible; and a lot of ML 3B's, including Mora, have moved from other positions. Gathwright and Fiorentino have performed well; but, at this stage of their careers, do you think they have futures as "stars" ?
RESPONSE FROM DEAN: maumau, Tillman was winless in June, but he is 6-5 overall this season. He didn't pitch poorly during the month, but he needs to get deeper into ballgames on a consistent basis.
As for Gathright and Fiorentino, they have the potential to be solid role players, but there aren't really any openings in the outfield in Baltimore.
Posted by: maumau | July 6, 2009 2:09 PM
Love to see Jeff "The Fury" Fiorentino getting some cred. I know the probability of him amounting to anything credible is slim, but I like the way he plays. Keep it up Dean. Come along way since Jock and Jerk!
RESPONSE FROM DEAN: Oh man, if I didn't know any better, I would think Reap wrote this comment. Thanks for the compliments, J-Rod.
Posted by: Jarrett S. | July 6, 2009 8:26 PM
Dean,
What happened to Steven Bumbry. I played alot during the first 8 games or so in Aberdeen, but has now disapeared. I realize he wasn't hitting much, but not to appear at all is strange. Is he hurt?
RESPONSE FROM DEAN: Robert, excellent question. I haven't addressed this because the IronBirds have been tight-lipped about it, and I don't want to speculate. All I know is that he was receiving treatment on his back when we went into their locker room after the home opener. I asked the IronBirds, and they told me nothing was official, so they couldn't comment. I'll see if I can find out additional information soon.
Posted by: Robert Shotzberger | July 6, 2009 10:19 PM
Say Dean,
Got any management prospects down there? Anyone with fire and motivational skills? You know...the Earl Weaver type of personality.
How about coaches?
Hitting coaches? Got a hitting coach who has an idea how to hit lefthanders?
Fielding coaches? Can anyone down there step up to the big show and teach how to call for a pop up?
Baserunning coaches? Got anyone who can tudor rookies like Mora how to count how many outs there are in the inning before standing still midway between bases? Got a coach who can teach how not to slide past 2nd base?
As for coaching what tie to wear with what suit and shirt...we got that covered.
Posted by: Dennis | July 7, 2009 6:53 AM
Rowell may not be the 3B of the future, but Brandon Waring might be. He has hit over 20 HR's in each of his last two minor league seasons. He should be up at AA soon. He needs to work on cutting down the number of strikeouts. So far this season he has struck out just over 70 times and last year was about 140 strikeouts for the season.
Posted by: Frank Rizzo | July 7, 2009 11:55 AM
Josh asked,
Who hit .235 or lower in A Ball?
I assumed you meant for a whole A season or most of one. The answer:
Mark Belanger, Bobby Grich, and Wayne Gross. Just checked Orioles players only, although my check wasn't complete, I did find those three.
Posted by: Jonathan | July 7, 2009 3:17 PM