New Plus Article: Thoughts from minor league spring training: Part III

[Tony-OH]

So who has looked great this spring and who has struggled down in the minor league camp? What two minor league pitchers made big impressions in big league camp and who are some candidates for comeback player of the year? Plus, info on Tyler Henson and why Brandon Snyder has started to hit since early last year.

http://www.orioleshangout.com/plus/plusarticle.asp?ID=1919

By the way, it's fine to discuss plus material as long as you don't quote long portions of the material. Thanks.

[DrShorebird]

I don't know what Tony's observations were, but my take has been that Lebron is looking good and coaches have suggested that I watch him this spring, Patton has not seemed to me in the times I have watched him pitch as consistent as I would like and believe he can be, and yes, I believe Miclat will start at Delmarva

[mcpd]

Thanks for all the good info. I see you haven't mentioned anything about Erbe yet. Have you seen him pitch yet this year and how is he looking.

[Tony-OH]

Heard he was throwing well and ready to go for the season. No big news one way or the other.

[CharmCityHokie]

Tony, great reports! It sure makes that plus subscription worth it. I see you post pictures on the front page beside the links for the reports, is there anyway you could post pictures with the reports? Or after you get back and are done with your write ups?

[cmwebb24]

Tony,

Any thoughts on how Angle is doing? Haven't read or heard much about him at all. Bad spring or just producing and playing at a level expected of him. Guess no news is better than hiring he's stinking it up.

[Tony-OH]

Tony, great reports! It sure makes that plus subscription worth it. I see you post pictures on the front page beside the links for the reports, is there anyway you could post pictures with the reports? Or after you get back and are done with your write ups?

I'll have another report tomorrow. If I get time I'll add in some photos and maybe even some videos. Thanks.

[Tony-OH]

Tony,

Any thoughts on how Angle is doing? Haven't read or heard much about him at all. Bad spring or just producing and playing at a level expected of him. Guess no news is better than hiring he's stinking it up.

I saw him play a bit one of the days I was there, but there was no extraordinary news about him which means he's probably heading to Frederick as the center fielder.

[cmwebb24]

I saw him play a bit one of the days I was there, but there was no extraordinary news about him which means he's probably heading to Frederick as the center fielder.

Yeah assumed so. Thanks. Enjoy reading the plus articles.

[LookinUp]

I also want to hear about Oliver Drake. I was hanging this weekend with a guy who says they're friends. Apparently Drake's been working a ton with the pitching coaches and his fastball velocity has gone up several MPH (to 93-95). He's apparently throwing great.

Word has it that he relied a lot on his curve and slider as a younger player, so the fastball development is great news. No word on whether he has a decent change though.

I wonder where he'll start.

[Tony-OH]

I also want to hear about Oliver Drake. I was hanging this weekend with a guy who says they're friends. Apparently Drake's been working a ton with the pitching coaches and his fastball velocity has gone up several MPH (to 93-95). He's apparently throwing great.

Word has it that he relied a lot on his curve and slider as a younger player, so the fastball development is great news. No word on whether he has a decent change though.

I wonder where he'll start.

I heard Drake was throwing well but when I asked whether he would starter or relieve this year, Dave Schmidt said it was still undecided. I'd like to see him start at Delmarva.

[LookinUp]

I heard Drake was throwing well but when I asked whether he would starter or relieve this year, Dave Schmidt said it was still undecided. I'd like to see him start at Delmarva.

Well, if they make him a reliever out of spring training, I guess that means the positive report I heard about him might be a little over blown. That would be a bummer. I'm hoping he gets a shot at the rotation.

[hoosiers]

Great reports, Tony. I hope the optimism with Beato is warranted, it sounds like he has made great strides.

There are Joe Jordan prospects at all levels of the organization and I hope, like I have for the past two seasons, that several guys step up and demonstrate that our depth is a lot stronger than our system is given credit for. I think there is a good chance that our minor league w-l record is the best it has been in a long, long time and that will be one reflection of the improved talent.

[Hank Scorpio]

I didn't want to start a new thread for this, but it's nice to read :

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2009/03/os_brian_matusz_can_deal.html

[Frobby]

From March 29

Tomorrow’s report: Which two top rated pitching prospects are working hard on their changeups this year and which two starters haven’t thrown a pitch this spring and will start the year on the disabled lists?

Hey Tony, we're waiting........

I'm also interested to hear about Miclat, who may be about the only top position prospect you haven't mentioned so far in your reports. I'm curious about Adams, too. Any reason to think he's going to overcome the fielding yips this year?