The Orioles Tides’ Rotation Tops IL South Division

The International League season is underway. Here at Grading on the Curve we have been breaking down the divisions across all of Triple and Double-A ball. While most of the punch in the Interntaional League comes from the North and the West divisions, the South has some interesting story lines to follow. Though the division only posted one above-.500 team in 2014, the new look Braves farm system may make things a bit more interesting.

DURHAM BULLS

Parent Club: Tampa Bay Rays

2014 Record: 75-69

Manager: Jared Sandberg (rookie season)

The Bulls are the defending South Division champs, and while the Rays have a farm system that sits in the top half of all teams in baseball (No. 12 according to Baseball America), many of their elite prospects are not yet at Triple-A. 

More from MLB Prospects

No. 9 prospect Ryan Brett leads the lineup. The second baseman has been a professional hitter since being drafted in the third round of the 2010 draft. With only Logan Forsythe ahead of him in the big leagues, Brett could reach the bigs this season with another .300-plus season. Centerfielder Mikie Mahtook, the No. 14 prospect in the system is also worth watching as he has already made an appearance for the Rays. He could be up and down all season.

The pitching staff will struggle. The Rays rotation has been decimated by injury, so anyone ready to pitch at the big league level is already most likely there. Burch Smith, who was likely to split time between Tampa and Durham this season is recovering from Tommy John surgery. They will have a tough time establishing consistency this season.

GWINNETT BRAVES

Parent Club: Atlanta Braves

2014 record: 65-77

Manager: Brian Snitker (2nd year)

Gwinnett hasn’t had a great season in some time, but that may all change. The well documented offseason that new General Manager John Hart has had, completely rebuilt the Braves’ farm system, making them a top 10 power house. They could easily challenge for the South Division title this season.

Hart rebuilt the pitching staff and three of their top pitching prospects will be anchoring the 2015 rotation. No. 11 prospect, lefty Manny Banuelos, came over from the Yankees. He worked his way back from Tommy John surgery nicely last season. No. 2 prospect, righty Matt Wisler (who came over from the Padres in the Kimbrel deal) and No. 3 prospect, righty Michael Foltynewicz (who came over in the Evan Gattis trade) make this a very formidable, and Major League ready rotation.

The offense is lead by No. 1 prospect, Jose Peraza. Suddenly the gem of the Braves’ future has been the topic of trade rumors with Jace Peterson’s hot start in Atlanta, but the defensive speedster probably won’t be going anywhere. He looks to be part of one of the premier, young double play combos with Andrelton Simmons for a long time coming.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

Parent Club: Chicago White Sox

2014 record: 63-81

Manager: Joel Skinner (4th season)

The Knights had a dismal season in 2014, and on paper, it looks as if they have the talent to vastly improve in 2015. The problem is, however, that most of that talent won’t hang around too long.

More from Call to the Pen

The Knights rotation is anchored by the best southpaw in the International League, and quite possibly Minor League baseball in Carlos Rodon. Last year’s third overall pick, and Grading on the Curve’s No. 11 prospect, skyrocketed to stardom and filled in rather admirably this spring (2-0, 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 21 strikeouts over 17.2 innings pitched) when he took over the injured Chris Sale’s rotation slot. If Rodon keeps up his pace, he could settle into the White Sox third rotation slot by mid-season.

The offense has some of their White Sox top prospects highlighting the lineup. No. 10 prospect, middle infielder Carlos Sanchez, challenged No. 5 prospect Micah Johnson for the starting second base job on the South Side right up to the end of spring training, but Johnson inevitably won out. Expect Sanchez to be up and down all season. No. 19 prospect, centerfielder Trayce Thompson has athlete in his blood, being son to Lakers’ great Mychal and current Warriors’ star guard, Klay.

No. 11 prospect Matt Davidson is worthy of attention. The third baseman seemed poised to take over third base for the White Sox when they traded closer Addison Reed to Arizona to get the 2013 MLB Futures Game MVP. Davidson looked lost last year at the plate, however, and will clearly need more seasoning. With only Conor Gillaspie and Gordon Beckham ahead of him, however, should Davidson make big strides, he could be Chicago bound soon.

NORFOLK TIDES

Parent Club: Baltimore Orioles

2014 record: 65-79

Manager: Ron Johnson (4th season)

The Orioles have two of the top pitching prospects in Minor League baseball in Hunter Harvey and Dylan Bundy. The unfortunate part for the Tides is that they are not quite ready for Triple-A yet. The fortunate part is that their rotation is still stacked with some of Baltimore’s top 10 prospects.

No. 4 prospect, righty Zach Davies, may be tiny in stature, but looks to be ready at the first sign of injury in Baltimore. He leads a staff consisting of No. 7 prospect, righty Mike Wright, and No. 8 prospect, righty Tyler Wilson, that is so good that there was no room for No. 6 prospect, lefty Tim Berry, who has to start the year in Double-A to get regular starts. Once Davies gets the call, which should be soon, the Tides’ rotation won’t miss a beat with one of their young aces in the making getting promoted to his stead.

The Orioles’ Minor League strength is in pitching, so there isn’t much to get excited about offensively on the pipeline. That being said, first baseman Christian Walker will lead the charge in the lineup. The 24-year old, No. 3 Orioles’ prospect had a monster 2014 (.288/.357/.489 with 26 home runs and 96 RBI) and was rewarded with his first big league action. Should Chris Davis struggle, Walker may be heading to Baltimore.

(Additional information taken from MiLB.com International League Preview and MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 By Team Rankings)