Who Are The Orioles Top Prospects Heading into 2009?

It is ASTONISHING how much of a difference a year makes. As I profiled in my earlier article on the newfound pitching depth of the Orioles organization, I made the same observation. Which, for the most part, explains why most of the spots on this list of the top ten prospects in the organization are occupied by pitchers. There is no doubt, however, who occupies the number one spot on the list. Arriving in Frederick as the most heralded prospect in more than a decade, catcher Matt Wieters immediately made his presence known, homering in his second and third at-bats, the first of many multi-homer games. Wieters never slowed down, advancing to double-A Bowie by May and compiling some of the most absurd numbers of any minor leaguer this year. Not only was he a titan with the bat, but he also flashed a rocket launcher of an arm from behind the plate that everyone in the organization knew he would. 

Wieters' rise through the system may have been the most publicized story, but he was one of many Shorebirds, Keys, Baysox, Tides, and Ironbirds who made names for themselves. Without further ado, here are my candidates for the top ten professional prospects in the Orioles organization.

1. Matt Wieters, catcher, Frederick-Bowie

Not much more can be said of the probable minor league player of the year. Fantastic arm, great with the bat, and the mental makeup of a future major league superstar.

2. Chris Tillman, pitcher, Bowie

Tillman was simply masterful in his first go around in double-A. He pitched much more consistently than most expected to and really hit his stride during the last few months of the season. Of all the numbers that defined Tillman's season, the 3.18 era, 28 starts, 11 victories, 154 strikeouts, the most important is most likely 20, the age of the budding superstar who could see time in Baltimore before his 21st birthday.

3. Jake Arrieta, pitcher, Frederick

Quite the jet-setting year for the TCU standout. He began the season in Frederick, made a stop in New York for the Future's Game, and finished the season in Beijing, pitching for the U.S. team at the Olympics. Arrieta dominated the Carolina League in his first season of pro ball, posting sexy numbers of 120 strikeouts and a 2.87 era. He was also named the league's pitcher of the year and cemented his status as one of the premier pitching prospects in the system.

4. (tie) Nolan Reimold, outfielder, Bowie

Many wondered why the Orioles left Reimold at double-A after a 2007 season that many deemed successful enough to place him at Norfolk. Eight months later, we're still wondering why. He had a few hitting slumps, but for the most part, Reimold destroyed Eastern League pitching, showed a patient approach at the plate, and ingrained his name into Andy MacPhail's brain with his stunning three-home-run, eight rbi performance in game 2 of the Eastern League semifinals. A 25 homer, 84 rbi, 87 run season places Reimold tied for fourth on this list.

4. (tie) Brad Bergesen, pitcher, Frederick-Bowie

There was some debate over whether or not Bergesen earned his promotion to Bowie from Frederick, but once he got there he left no doubt he was one of the Orioles most ready pitching prospects. The sinkerball pitcher made mincemeat of Eastern League hitters and led the talented staff to a spot in the Eastern League playoffs. Overall, Bergesen tallied 16 wins, 3 complete games, a 87:33 strikeout to walk ratio, and a 3.10 era. Those numbers were good enough to easily earn Bergesen the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year Award. 

6. Brandon Snyder, infielder, Frederick

It seems like ages ago that the Orioles tabbed Snyder in the first round of the 2005 draft. After being named the Orioles comeback player of the year last year Synder put together a whole season, flashing some of the potential that the Orioles saw in him in '05. Not only did he set career highs in nearly every offensive category, he appeared to get stronger as the year went on, finishing first on the team in hits, doubles, rbi's, runs and average. He cut down on his strikeouts, showed a tad bit more patience, and saw time at two positions, first base and third, all helping to cement his status back on the prospect list. 

7. David Hernandez, pitcher, Bowie

Very few pitchers were as dominant this year as Hernandez was at Bowie. The knock on Hernandez has been that he strikes out too many hitters, if you can call that a knock, and doesn't last deep enough into games. And while he regularly reached his pitch limit before the seventh or eighth inning, there is something to be said, and a Major League job to be found, for a pitcher with a 2.68 era who strikes out 166 hitters in only 141 innings. Whether that job is in the bullpen or as a starter, only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Hernandez will be given every chance to succeed at the Major League level.

8. Zachary Britton, pitcher, Delmarva

Britton entered the 2008 season as one of the least recognizable prospects in the O's system. He's leaving it as one of the most compelling. The youngest member of the Shorebirds pitching staff this season, Britton assumed the position as the head of the staff, winning 12 games, striking out 114 and finishing with a 3.14 era. Britton will likely move up to Frederick next year, but expect the Orioles to treat him more cautiously than the other pitchers on this list, as he is only 20 years old.

9. Billy Rowell, infielder, Frederick

Billy, Billy, Billy. Seven homeruns and 50 rbi for a 19 year old at high-A are respectable numbers. When your a 19 year old, the ninth pick in the first round of the draft, and your name is Billy Rowell, those numbers are somewhat disappointing. Perhaps it's because too much is expected of the young third baseman. Orioles management knew when they drafted Rowell, however, that they were getting a project with raw talent, so the slow development should not classify Rowell as a bust...yet. His bat is his biggest asset and hopefully he will tear up the Carolina League on his second go around next year. If he starts off slow again, however, look for many to label Rowell as a certified bust and the fans to riot.

10. Brandon Erbe, pitcher, Frederick

Erbe is quite possibly the most frustrating prospect in the entire system. On any given night he could throw a no-hitter, or be shelled for 7 runs in 2 innings. Strike out 14, or walk 8. Consider the good from 2008 for the right-hander: a team leading 10 wins, 150 innings pitched, two complete games, and a team leading 151 strikeouts. Now, temper your elation with the bad: 12 losses, 21 homers allowed and a 4.30 era. Combine it all together and you get Brandon Erbe, who possesses possibly the most talent of any pitcher in the organization. Erbe will most likely begin next year at Bowie, and that test will show if Erbe has what it takes to be a big leaguer.

Also considered: Sean Gleason, pitcher, Delmarva: 12-2 2.63 era 108 k 2 cg 1 sho, Blake Davis, shortstop, Bowie: .284 avg 22 2b 7 3b 53 rbi 57 runs 8 sb, Luis Montanez, outfielder, Bowie: .335 avg 32 2b 5 3b 26 hr 97 rbi 90 runs Eastern League Triple Crown Winner and Player of the Year, Jason Berken, pitcher, Bowie: 12-4 3.58 era 125 k 2 cg, Ryan Adams, third baseman, Delmarva: .308 avg 26 2b 5 3b 11 hr 57 rbi 68 runs 12 sb, Matt Angle, outfielder, Delmarva: .287 22 2b 5 3b 4 hr 35 rbi 82 runs 71:86 bb:k 37 sb,