Who are the #9 and #10 prospects?

[LookinUp]

I also don't love the choices here, but I do love Lowther. Someone mentioned Davies about another pitcher, but I think in some ways the comp fits with Lowther too (more pitcher than velocity/thrower). If Wells and Akin had a brother, it might be Lowther, lol.

So, I say Kremer and Lowther. 

Really great depth in this system if Diaz isn't even in the top 10. And there are a lot of high potential relative unknowns that will become apparent too. We're still a few years away, but this org is growing it's own talent for the first time in a long time.

[HowAboutThat]

11 hours ago, Frobby said:

Lowther didn’t pitch AAA last year, while Akin (full season at Norfolk), Zimmermann (7 starts) and Kremer (4 starts) all did.    It’s not that surprising he wasn’t jumped to the majors this year.   In fact, he wasn’t even pitching at the Bowie alternate site until September 4, only 3+ weeks before the season ended.    

Isn't it pretty common for a guy to go from AA to the bigs? Or at least not unusual?

[Frobby]

33 minutes ago, Philip said:

Isn't it pretty common for a guy to go from AA to the bigs? Or at least not unusual?

I would not say it’s unusual, but it rarely happens in Baltimore.   Let’s look at the last 10 O’s starters who spent significant time in our MiL organization and started at least 10 games for the Orioles:

Means 19 AAA starts before Os debut

Hess 24 

Bundy 0 

Wilson 29

Wright 26

Gausman 0

Britton 12

Arrieta 28

Tillman 18

Matusz 0

Bottom line, if you were drafted no. 4 overall, you’re considered talented enough to skip AAA.   Otherwise, serve your apprenticeship.    And in Bundy’s case, the O’s had no choice because he was out of options before pitching in AAA due to all his injuries.

[Tony-OH]

Everyone that picked Kremer/Lowther gets credit. 

Honestly, the more I looked over Akin's statcast info the more I'll give a chance that he can stick as a starter, assuming he can get his pitch counts down. Saying that, this is where not getting much info on Lowther hurt him a bit. I guess I just looked at as his late addition to the camp was a little bit of a strike against him as Elias didn't think enough of him to get in innings against good hitting competition. 

Plus there is still some concern that his stuff won't play at the major league level effectively, limited him to 5th starter status. Saying that, they were very, very close but at the last second I switched Akin and Lowther because I think Akin's floor is an impact multi inning reliever.

I'm still a believer in Lowther a bit, but just need more information.

 

[hoosiers]

I agree with the recent favorable light toward Akin.  I am not sure that pitch count is coming down much.  I think Akin will benefit from adjustments he can make to major league hitters and some refinement in the repetoire, but I don't think refinement will lead to a huge bump in results.  I think Akin could be a solid, cheap 4/5 who labors through 4-6 IP and has results that are very average or slightly worse at the end of the day - some good outings, some keep us in the game outings and some poor ones.  That works for me at the 5.

[MCO'sFan]

Totally misunderstood the poll. I thought they were listed in order of ranking. Since Akin was listed before Kremer, I dismissed that as a possibility. Since I was certain the consensus was that Kremer is higher than Akin. Oh well. 

[HowAboutThat]

3 hours ago, hoosiers said:

I agree with the recent favorable light toward Akin.  I am not sure that pitch count is coming down much.  I think Akin will benefit from adjustments he can make to major league hitters and some refinement in the repetoire, but I don't think refinement will lead to a huge bump in results.  I think Akin could be a solid, cheap 4/5 who labors through 4-6 IP and has results that are very average or slightly worse at the end of the day - some good outings, some keep us in the game outings and some poor ones.  That works for me at the 5.

And for what it’s worth, that kind of #5 performance has been absent for several years. It will be great to have that kind of mediocrity again!

[Frobby]

2 hours ago, MCO'sFan said:

Totally misunderstood the poll. I thought they were listed in order of ranking. Since Akin was listed before Kremer, I dismissed that as a possibility. Since I was certain the consensus was that Kremer is higher than Akin. Oh well. 

You didn’t misunderstand it.   Tony changed his mind about who was no. 10 after posting the poll.    Publisher’s prerogative.