O's hope more players follow Mahoney's winter ball lead
As the minor league season winds down, Orioles Director of Player Development John Stockstill has been meeting with many of the organization’s minor leaguers to finalize plans for them to play winter ball. This is nothing new at this time of the year, but the Orioles are being aggressive in encouraging several of their prospects to play in places like Venezuela and Dominican Republic to potentially accelerate their paths to the big leagues.
One example is Double-A first baseman Joe Mahoney, who will likely play winter ball in Venezuela.
“Our attitude is to make the players understand that they need to earn a spot on this club,” Stockstill said. “In order to do that, some of them are going to need to play winter ball to work on their deficiencies. What we’re trying to do is give them the opportunity in the best places in the world to do that.
“The attitude that you want to cultivate is they better be prepared to earn their way. This club is looking for people to take jobs. We’re trying to give our players the understanding that they are responsible for their own careers and they have to earn their spot. We have several players knocking on the door so take the step and give yourself a chance to earn a Major League job next year.”
The Orioles will be sending nine players to the Arizona Fall League, but the organization also would like to see some of its position players get challenged in other winter leagues outside the United States. Very few teams send their top pitching prospects to the AFL, so it makes sense for some position players to go elsewhere to see better pitching,
“When you get to certain places in Dominican, certain places in Venezuela, certain places in Mexico and Puerto Rico, there are 5,000 screaming fans, and you are paid to win,” Stockstill said. “You learn something about yourself and what you need to do to compete at the major league level.”
Below is a small list of some Oriole minor leaguers and the invites they have gotten from different winter leagues. I included the guys going to the AFL as well.
Arizona Fall League: Ryan Adams, Xavier Avery, Oliver Drake, Pat Egan, Caleb Joseph, Kam Mickolio, Greg Miclat, Wynn Pelzer, Tyler Townsend
Venezuela: Matt Angle, Joe Mahoney, Zach Clark, Pat Egan, Chad Thall
Mexico: Jeff Salazar
Dominican Republic: Scott Moore
Australia: LJ Hoes, Mychal Givens, Brandon Waring
Puerto Rico: Brandon Cooney, Sean Gleason
Now, here are a couple of things to keep in mind about the list:
Just because these players have been invited to play for certain teams, it doesn’t mean that they are definitely going to go. The Orioles recognize that certain situations are not for everyone, and some players have good workout/playing programs near their offseason homes, where it’s not as imperative that they head elsewhere to play.
The list is not all encompassing and there will be other players going to different locales to play. I’m sure somebody will ask about former first-round pick Billy Rowell. I did the same and was told that his situation is undetermined. Tyler Henson had gotten several invites from teams, but his late-season injury will likely prevent him from playing winter ball. This year’s top pick, Manny Machado, is not expected to play out of the country, but that’s not 100 percent settled yet.
Also, several of the Orioles’ Latin players will likely play on teams in their native countries. One example is shortstop Pedro Florimon, who is expected to play winter ball in the Dominican.
You’ve also probably noticed that very few of the Orioles’ top pitching prospects are on that list. That’s by design. Most of them will hit their innings limit for the year and the club doesn’t want them throwing until they begin preparations for spring training 2011. That’s pretty standard throughout the league.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
My biggest concern is the health and safety of the players, are there any negative threats in some countries involved?? Mahoney and Townsend could move fast with success but we can't wait at 1B o see..
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Jeff Z's reply: Obviously with a coupl eof the countries that we are talking about, there are always going to be a couple of safety concerns, but I think the Orioles have a good handle on them.
Posted by: grant | September 6, 2010 6:15 AM
Jeff,
Will Kam Mickolio, Jeff Salazar and Scott Moore be considered minor league FAs if they are not carried on the major league 40 man roster when the major league free agency period begins.
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Jeff Z's reply: Moore and Salazar will be. Mickolio is currently on the 40-man so he will not.
Posted by: Cecil | September 6, 2010 9:20 AM
Great report, Jeff thanks.
A question: in past years (at least with other teams) it was not uncommon for youger players from the major league roster to play winter ball. Has that stopped? Or was your report just directed to the minor leaguers?
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Jeff Z's reply: No, there will be some major leaguers playing winter ball. I was just talking about the minor league guys.
Posted by: CaptiveFan | September 6, 2010 9:37 AM
JEFF thank you for your earlier reply?? Is Konerko a FA this year ? I hope the orioles get Konerko, Fielder, Dunn, Pena, or Uggla. I throw Uggla in there because I am sure he ciould make the move (with financial comp.) and could be had.. Fielder, and Dunn, have the most power, Konerko and Uggla hit RH and Pena might be the most affordable and available for us.. What is your take on this thought. If we needed to trade a young pitcher to make something happen I would choose Tillman to dangle because I feel he is more a fly ball pitcher.
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Jeff Z's reply: Konerko is a free agent. Not a big fan of any of the free agent 1B options really. I'd have no problem trading a couple of young prospects (maybe two pitchers and an OF) for a guy like Fielder. I know some people feel differently, but how many years will first base production continue to be a problem? It would obviously depend on their ability to sign that player (like Fielder or Gonzalez) to an extension.
Posted by: grant | September 6, 2010 9:55 AM
Jeff,
I agree with you about the !B FA's (and 3B for that matter), but Konerko could be a 2 year fix. I hear you about a trade for a first baseman, but are you suggesting they trade yound pitching without knowing that Fielder would sign long term? I can't see that. and I'm not a huge Fielder fan - his defense is questionable and with his weight and bdy type, I could see him declining quickly in his mid 30's.
It looks like the Royals would trade Billy Butler. I realize he's not a HR bat, but he's a .300 hitter with high OBA and he could give them a solid right hand bat hitting third behind Markakis.
The real problem in the organization though is 3B. I just don't think Bell is a long term answer and there isn't much behind him.
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Jeff Z's reply: No, I would make sure you could sign an extension before making a trade like that.
Posted by: Jeff | September 6, 2010 3:27 PM
I agree if you trade a young pitcher you need a window to sign that player long term.. Dunn or Pena would only be my choices because of a young pitcher need not be traded. Gonzales or Fielder are younger. Always concern about fielders weight but at 27 you get 5-6 years even if he declined in early 30's.. I just feel Mahoney or Townsend might be the next bats to arrive along with machado.. Right now I would resign wigginton if concerned about bell.. I hope they pick up Hendricksons option we can never have too many lefties..I still hope Patton returns after not getting to pitch in his two earlier callups..
Posted by: grant | September 6, 2010 6:08 PM
While I understand the need to get a 1st baseman I think Bell deserves more time at the ML level before it is assumed that we need a 3rd Baseman. Seems alot of folks are quick to thinkBell is not the answer. What happened to letting a rookie have a full season to see if he grows into the position or not?
Posted by: Bernard in SC | September 6, 2010 7:23 PM
Grant - good point about Fielder's age, but I don't like Wiggy as even a stop gap at 3B - he is so bad defensively over there and cost the O's 3 or 4 games in the limted time he was there this year.
Bernard - you are right about giving kids time and yes Bell has shown some good things and I hope he proves me wrong, but he's 24 and he did not exactly dominate AAA. Also, he has struck out about 1/3 of the time at every level of the minor leagues. I will admit his defense is better than expected. In any case, I think he is going to get that shot, because there is no one in the FA pool worth considering and I don't see the O's making a major trade before giving him that shot.
My real point is that at 1B, they have several players that will get a shot, including Reimold, Snyder, Waring, Mahoney and the probably winner long term Townsend. At 3B it's either Waring or Bell, unless Adams moves over their from second or Machado doesn't show he can play SS at the ML level.
In any case the O's still need two legitimate bats to start to compete next year and will be a two or three years before anyone on that list of players is ready.
Posted by: Jeff | September 6, 2010 8:58 PM
I agree about first base as far as getting a second hitter I keep hoping that Weiters; being that he grew up right up the road from where I use to live, will start to hit with some more authority.
In regards to Bell you made some excellent points.
I just hate to see them trade any young pitching at this point still I still consider the staff in a state of flux, but if it would mean getting a 1st baseman that we could sign for the long term then so be it.
Posted by: Bernard in SC | September 6, 2010 9:59 PM
Jeff I don't mean to write Bell off suggesting we sign wigginton but he may need more experience at AAA, In complete fairness wigginton did not look that good at 3B when he played there, but you must admit he didn't look that good at 1B early either but has made great progress with his glove and the initial reactions and lateral 2 steps are very similar at 1B and 3B.. MANY of the current ML 1B played 3B at some point.. NO way he is our long term fill anywhere but would not cost a draft pick if signed... Another thing to think about,,the best FA 1B Dunn, Konerko, Pena, probably any of these would cost us our 2nd round pick again...
Posted by: grant | September 6, 2010 10:38 PM