Orioles in the Arizona Fall League

Sep 25, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman

(6) hits his first career major league home run in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Blue Jays 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

It was not long ago that the Arizona Fall League was actually something that the Orioles fans could look forward to. fourteen consecutive losing seasons can do that to a fan, but with the Orioles now re-established as a contending team, few fans will actually look at which Orioles are playing in the league. They should, however, its a talented bunch with a couple players that could have a signficant impact on the future of this ballclup.

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez is the headliner of the Oriole’s 2013 AFL class. After a stellar performance as a 20 year old in high A, he earned a promotion to AA, becoming one of the youngest players in the league. He fared as well there as Baltimore could have hoped, posting a 4.22 ERA with encouraging peripherals (3.6 BB/9 and a 8.9 SO/9 that was actually higher than his numbers at A+). Legt handed, deceptive delivery, a good tailing fastball, above average command, and an ever improving changeup and curve, he fits the profile of a starter and could be in the Orioles rotation before long.

2B Jonathan Schoop has tremendous upside, ranking 50th in Keith Law’s top 100, but has struggled because of the Orioles overly aggressive promotions. Just 21 years old, he reached AAA despite not fully mastering AA, and then was promoted to the majors despite a .697 OPS in the highest level of the minors. Still, Schoop exudes tools, possessing the eye to accumulate a high OBP, a stroke that could one day yield 25 home run power, and the arm and range to excel at either third or second. Should he ever catch up to older pitching, he will be a forceful threat at the plate and in the field for the Birds.

At 26, OF Henry Urrutia may seem old for a prospect, but this was actually the Cuban’s first professional season. After defecting to Haiti, Urrutia was signed by the orioles for just under $800,000 and seems to be promising a full return on the investment, tearing up the upper levels of the minors in 2013. In 81 games between AA and AAA, he hit .347/.406/.506, while showing modest power with nine home runs. His brief major league performance has been unimpressive thus far, and ESPN’s Keith law may view him as a 4th outfielder, but a line drive swing and average power and speed could allow him to profile as an above average right fielder.

Another Cuban outfielder, 24 year old Dariel Alvarez was only signed this past July and has had far fewer opportunities to prove himself than Urrutia. He’s hit .343/.372/.570 in the minors, but thats only been through 83 plate appearances and the recent scouting reports have been unimpressive. We’ll have a better idea of his future once he gets a few more at bats under his belt, starting this October in the Arizona Fall League.

C Michael Ohlman future looked bleak prior to this season as he struggled in his first two seasons since being taken out of high school and then spent half of last season serving a 50 game drug suspension. Ohlman, however, had a breakout campaign this season, showing plate discipline with a .410 OBP, a line drive swing with a .313 average, and slightly above average power with 13  home runs and 29 doubles in only 424 plate appearances. He’ll only being on the “Taxi Squad” in the AFL, meaning he can only play a maximum of twice per week, so October should not give much indication of his true ability.

RHP Jason Gurka is, most pitchers in the Arizona Fall league, a relief prospect. He pitched well during a limited tour of duty in AA this season, throwing posting a 2.95 ERA and a 1.336 WHIP over 20 games and 39.2 innings. He missed plenty of bats (10.4 SO/9), is already 25 years old, and has had success at every minor league stop, so the majors should not be too far off.

RHP Branden Kline hasn’t thrown a professional pitch since may 17th, when he suffered a fracture in his leg that ended his season. Drafted out of college in the second round last year, Kline was expected to rise quickly through the O’s farm system but injuries have limited him to only 11 A ball starts. Still, the leg injury should have no lingering effects and Kline should be back on track from the moment he makes his first AFL start. With an above average, low to mid 90’s fastball and a plus curve, he could find himself dominating out of the back end of the Oriole’s bullpen before long, and even has an outside shot at the rotation if he ever develops a legitimate third pitch.

RHP Tim Berry is the opposite of a first round pick, he was taken in the 50th round (the last one) in the 2009 MLB draft. Berry, however, has seemingly defied the odds, emerging as a fringe prospect this season thanks to a 3.85 ERA, 7.0 SO/9, and 2.4 BB/9 over 152 A+ innings. His inability to consistently miss bats likely prevents him from ever amounting to an elite reliever or ace starter, but his impressive command and still developing stuff could let him into the majors in a middle relief or fifth starter capacity.