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November 9, 2009

Future Shock

Orioles Top 11 Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

Five-Star Prospects
1. Brian Matusz, LHP
Four-Star Prospects
2. Josh Bell, 3B
3. Jake Arrieta, RHP
4. Zach Britton, LHP
Three-Star Prospects
5. Matt Hobgood, RHP
6. Brandon Erbe, RHP
7. Brandon Synder, 1B
8. Mychal Givens, SS
9. Caleb Joseph, C
Two-Star Prospects
10. Brandon Waring, 1B/3B
11. Cameron Coffey, RHP

Four More:
12. Steve Johnson, RHP: Along with Bell, Johnson was also acquired from the Dodgers in the George Sherrill deal. The Baltimore native has good velocity, but his secondary pitches come and go. He tends to work high in the strike zone.
13. Kam Mickolio, RHP: Mickolio is a massive righty who dominated at times out of big-league pen, but he was inconsistent and suffered from "dead arm" at the end of the year.
14. Troy Patton, LHP: His comeback from shoulder surgery looked good on paper, but his already marginal velocity took a step backwards, leaving even less of a margin for error.
15. Michael Ohlman, C: The 11^th-round pick in June got nearly a $1 million bonus. He has tons of raw power and a big arm, but questions about his pure hitting skill and ability to stay behind the plate remain.

1. Brian Matusz, LHP
DOB: 02/11/87
Height/Weight:6-5/200
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: 1^st round, 2008, University of San Diego
2009 Stats: 2.66 ERA (66.2-56-21-75) at High-A (11 G); 1.55 ERA (46.1-31-11-46) at Double-A (8 G); 4.63 ERA (44.2-52-14-38) at MLB (8 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: 3

Year in Review: The 2008 first-round pick began the year in High-A, and he worked his way up to the big leagues after allowing one run or less in seven of eight Double-A outings.
The Good: Matusz has as much polish as any pitching prospect in the game. He's a heady, intelligent pitcher who not only throw strikes, but throws good strikes, working both sides of the plate, hitting his locations with ease, and mixing his pitches very effectively to throw off a hitter's timing. Beyond the guile, his stuff is above average as well, with a 90-92 mph fastball that can get up to 94, two quality breaking balls in a curve and slider, and an outstanding changeup that is a true big-league swing-and-miss offering.
The Bad: There are really no strong knocks against Matusz. His breaking balls flatten out at times, causing him to rely mainly on a fastball/changeup combination, which got him in trouble in the big leagues. His stuff isn't elite quality, so his ceiling falls below ace level.
Ephemera: While the University of San Diego boasts a solid college baseball program, Matusz became the first pitcher drafted from the school to earn a big-league win when he allowed one run over five innings against Detroit in his Orioles debut.
Perfect World Projection: He could be a consistent 15- to 18-game winner and an occasional All-Star.
Path to the Big Leagues: The Orioles have needed pitching for years, and Matusz is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle when it comes to their rotation of the future.
Timetable: Matusz's minor league apprenticeship is done, and he'll begin 2010 in the Orioles’ rotation.

2. Josh Bell, 3B
DOB: 11/13/86
Height/Weight: 6-3/235
Bats/Throws: S/R
Drafted/Signed: 4^th round, 2005, Santaluces HS (FL) (Los Angeles Dodgers)
2009 Stats: .296/.386/.497 at Double-A (94 G, Dodgers' organization); .289/.346/.570 at Double-A (33 G; Orioles' organization)
Last Year’s Ranking: 8 (Dodgers)