Here is the minor league report for the 2010 Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate for the Baltimore Orioles.
The key name to note on the roster is third basemen Josh Bell. With Miguel Tejada signed to only a one year contract, Bell should be ready to assume the hot corner in Baltimore next season. Bell has a .289 minor league average with good power potential. He hit 20 home runs in Double-A last season at the age of 22. His strike zone discipline was not good his first few years in the minor leagues but it has gradually gotten better as he has moved up the ladder.
Another name to keep an eye on is starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. Pitching at two levels in 2009, Arrieta compiled a 3.40 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Since he made 17 starts in Triple-A last season, he should only spend half of 2010 in the minor leagues before he is promoted to the majors.
Brandon Snyder was the 13th overall pick of the 2005 draft and spent some time at catcher before being moved to first base. He has a .282 minor league batting avergae and hit 12 home runs between two levels last season in 463 at bats. The Orioles have a buyout option in 2011 on Garrett Atkins so Snyder should have a chance to compete for the starting job in spring.
Brandon Erbe started putting things together last season as he pitched at two levels producing a 2.70 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. It was quite an improvement from 2008 when he repeated High-A due to his lack of control, after walking 4.7 hitters per nine in 2007, 3.0 in ’08 and 3.8 in ’09.
How they rank:
Baseball America: Bell (2), Arrieta (4), Snyder (6), Erbe (7), Mickolio (8)
Keith Law: Bell (3), Arrieta (4), Snyder (5), Erbe (6)
John Sickels: Arrieta (2), Bell (4), Erbe (5), Snyder (6), Mickolio (10)
Here is a look at 2010 Norfolk Tides roster by position:
Catchers:
Adam Donachie
Steven Terud
Infielders:
1B Brandon Snyder
2B Justin Turner
SS Scott Moore
3B Josh Bell
Robert Andino
Michael Aubrey
Outfielders:
LF Lou Montanez
CF Joey Gathright
RF Rhyne Hughes
Jeff Salazar
Jonathan Tucker
Starting Pitchers:
Chris Tillman
Jake Arrieta
Troy Patton
Brandon Erbe
Alfredo Simon
Relief Pitchers:
Alberto Castillo
Chris George
Frank Mata
Kam Mickolio
Jim Miller
Andy Mitchell
Dennis Sarafate
Ross Wolf
