O's minor leaguers in '09 -- Second basemen
Before I get into the top five second basemen in the Orioles' minor league system, I wanted to thank everyone who offered their input on my list of the top first basemen in the organization.
It's always good to have an educated discussion between baseball fans that doesn't deteriorate into name-calling and arguments. I knew it was possible.
As I said in the post, the case could be made for any of the top three players -- Brandon Waring, Brandon Snyder and Rhyne Hughes -- to be at the head of the class.
Waring, who spent most of the season with the Single-A Frederick Keys, was at No. 1 in my list. However, I do see the point of those in favor of Snyder, who split the season between the Double-A Bowie Baysox and Triple-A Norfolk Tides. Despite a tremendous offensive season, Hughes loses points since he was only in the organization for a short time.
Now, let's move on.
Here is how I would rank the top five second basemen in the Orioles' minor league system.
1. Justin Turner
2. Miguel Abreu
3. L.J. Hoes
4. Bobby Stevens
5. Omar Casamayor
If he didn't burn bridges within the organization at the end of the year, Keys second baseman Ryan Adams likely would have a spot near the top of this list.
The 22-year-old infielder was suspended by the team with a little over a week remaining in the season, and injuries also caused him to miss significant time in 2009.
Adams batted .288 with two home runs and 25 RBIs in 59 games for the Keys. He also hit 14 doubles and scored 27 runs this season. Adams was No. 2 on my list last year despite making 52 errors in 119 games.
With Adams out of the picture, Tides second baseman Justin Turner earns the top spot in my rankings following his first year with the organization.
Turner, who was acquired last offseason from the Cincinnati Reds in the Ramon Hernandez trade, batted .300 with two home runs and 43 RBIs in 108 games for Norfolk.
The 24-year-old right-handed hitter, who also played shortstop and third base for the Tides this season, collected 28 doubles, 54 runs scored and nine stolen bases in the minor leagues.
Turner struggled a bit defensively with the Tides in 2009. He committed a career-high 21 errors, including 13 in 80 games at second base.
The Cincinnati Reds selected Turner in the seventh round of the 2006 MLB draft. He is batting .143 (2-for-14) with one RBI in 10 games for the Orioles this season.
Baysox second baseman Miguel Abreu continues to exceed expectations for someone who the Orioles selected in the 28th round of the 2005 MLB draft.
The 24-year-old infielder, who is nine days younger than Turner, hit .290 with four home runs and 45 RBIs in 130 games this season. He led the Baysox in doubles (31) and finished second on the team in stolen bases (25) and runs scored (55).
Abreu earned the Top Star Award after going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in the Eastern League All-Star Game in July.
Hoes is the most intriguing prospect among the second basemen in the Orioles' minor league system. The 19-year-old infielder definitely has the highest ceiling of the players on my list.
After batting over .300 in his professional debut with the Rookie-level GCL Orioles last season, Hoes started the 2009 campaign with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds.
Although Hoes struggled at times this season, the Orioles' third-round pick in the 2008 MLB draft finished with a .260 batting average, two home runs and 47 RBIs in 119 games. He was fourth on the Shorebirds in RBIs and doubles (19), and he finished fifth on the team with 20 stolen bases in 2009.
Defensively, Hoes needs to cut down on the errors. He committed a team-leading 28 defensive miscues this season. With the GCL Orioles in 2008, Hoes made 15 errors in 42 games.
While Adams was expected to be the everyday second baseman in Frederick, it was Bobby Stevens who shined at the position for the Keys.
Stevens hit .272 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 81 games for the Keys after only batting .213 in 49 games for the Rookie-level Bluefield Orioles last season.
On defense, the 22-year-old infielder only committed five errors for Frederick.
Bluefield second baseman Omar Casamayor grabs the last spot in my rankings after hitting .279 with one home run and 21 RBIs in 57 games this season.
The 22-year-old native of Venezuela led the Orioles with 37 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Casamayor also hit seven doubles and committed eight errors in 2009.
You know the drill by now. Let me hear your rankings by posting a comment below.
Categories: O's minor leaguers in '09
Comments
So, are you saying Adams is going to be out of the organization? It's that serious?
RESPONSE FROM DEAN: Tim, I don't know if I'd go 100% in that direction at this time, but he could be doing a Brandon Tripp impression, if you know what I mean.
Posted by: Tim S. | October 1, 2009 11:39 AM
Dean,
If I may, one last comment on the 1Bmen. Seems to me that Snyder is a younger version of Reimold. Nolan, at Snyder's age, hadn't shown great power, he had pop, no doubt, but it wasn't until he was 24 and in his first full year at AA that he went for 25 HRs. Then the next year(earlier this year at AAA) he hit nine in 109 ABs and found himself in the majors.
Snyder is three years younger than Reimold and this was his fourth year in the system. He started to show good power and average in AA at the beginning this year, but lost it went he went to the next level. He might very well be the future at 1B, but he needs that time at AAA to sort out his swing. Remember Snyder won't be 23 until November, so if he is at AAA the whole year next year, when he is 24(Reimold's age when he had the breakout year) he should be ready to have his breakout year and force his way onto the ML roster.
Why did Adams get suspended? Was it a case of a young, immature kid doing something stupid, or is it a consistent pattern of bad behavior?
One thing I noticed about the five guys you highlighted, two are 24, and one of them is already in the bigs, tho not to stay(yet, anyway.) The others are 22 or younger, which portends good things from an organizational depth standpoint.
Any word on what the team is going to do with Givens? Will he stay a SS or will he be on the mound?
Thanks for your info, always appreciated.
Posted by: Ken | October 1, 2009 1:18 PM
I must have seen only the good days, because the times I caught the SHorebirds Hoes was looking just fine. Turner was a star in Spring training, making me think that Andy M got him in case Roberts would not sign the extension. Now that BRob is locked in, does Turner move to 3b or somewhere else?
Posted by: RPHall | October 1, 2009 6:40 PM
None of 5 minor league second basemen are power hitters. But Brian Roberts only had 6 minor league homers over 5 years. Abreu and Hoes seem to have the most potential. Turner could be a reserve infielder next year with the parent team.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 1, 2009 10:27 PM
Am I the only one who thinks McPhail's best trade yet might be unloading Hernandez for Waring and Turner. Too soon to tell so far but it looks rather promising. At the least, it looks more lucrative than the Huff and Sherrill trades this year. Sorry, Bell is just too limited (power but limited defense, too many whiffs and a bit slow on the bases)
Posted by: ziggy | October 2, 2009 7:50 AM
Can't argue much with your list. Turner is easily #1 in my opinion - very solid year and great trade. I go Hoes #2 on pure upside. He played in the SAL in his 2nd year. I hope Ryan Adams has learned his lesson and turns it around. He can hit. My top 5 would be:
1. Turner
2. Hoes
3. Adams
4. Abreu
5. Casamayor
Posted by: Bmor34 | October 2, 2009 8:52 AM
It is mentioned that Adams had his troubles with the organization. Does this mean he will never be back? Or is he just suspended for a period and he will be playing for the O's organization again? If the latter, he is in the top five due to his bat.
RESPONSE FROM DEAN: As far as I know, he was just suspended for the end of last season. We might find out something different, but basically I just dropped him off my 2009 rankings above because of the injury setbacks and the suspension. I agree, however, that he is a good hitter. Keep in mind though that he is a HORRIBLE defender.
Posted by: Karl of Delaware | October 2, 2009 11:46 AM
The O's are very weak at 2B in their farm system. Turner could be a role player, but I think Stevens has more potential. I think Stevens will be a more productive hitter then Turner. Besides those two, there really is no one else.
Posted by: Frank Rizzo | October 2, 2009 8:17 PM
I have Abreu in the 2nd position. Turner should get a shot with the O's next season so of course he gets the 1 spot.. I watched Miggy all season at Bowie and he was by far their best all around athelete. His vertical leap is off the charts with speed to burn. He played 2nd primarily but also played 3rd, SS, and CF. I can not speak much for Adams, Hoes, Stevens.
Posted by: BaysoxFan39 | October 3, 2009 12:24 AM
Nice work on this. I don't see any reason to argue with the thought you put into this. Adams should not be considered that high anyway as his defense is a major liability. Look forward to your SS thoughts as this is clearly the weakness going forward. Lastly on C - Bernardo should have been included as his numbers defensively do not accurately reflect his skill. Exceptional defensively!
Posted by: Tim | October 3, 2009 5:05 PM