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12-02-2003, 12:09 PM
Here's a report on how some of our guys in the minors did this past season. Did they measure up to the predictions? Or were they miserable failures...... or did they far exceed expectations?
11/20/2003 12:50 PM ET
Orioles organization recap
By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/02/26/J5UZBwlC.jpg
Erik Bedard looked sharp in his return from Tommy John surgery and should be ready to go in 2004. (J.Pat Carter/AP)
Before the 2003 season began, MLB.com took an in-depth look at every big-league team's minor league system. Now it's time to recap all 30 organizations, from top prospects to the recent draft class.
2003 Organizational Leaders
Batting average: Mike Fontenot, .325
Home runs: Tommy Arko, Ivanon Coffie, Juan Diaz, 14
Runs batted in: Mike Huggins, 74
Stolen bases: Tim Raines Jr., 51
ERA: John Maine, 2.27
Wins: John Maine, 13
Strikeouts: John Maine, 185
Saves: Jeff Montani, 23
2003 Organizational Record
League (Level) Team W L PCT
International (AAA) Ottawa 79 65 .549
Eastern (AA) Bowie 69 72 .489
Carolina (A) Frederick 60 75 .444
S. Atlantic (A) Delmarva 67 71 .486
NY-Penn (SS) Aberdeen 38 38 .500
Appalachian (R) Bluefield 23 40 .365
Gulf Coast (R) Orioles 32 28 .533
Total 368 389 .486
Five Faves
At the start of the season, MLB.com identified five prospects to keep an eye on. Here's how they fared in 2003:
Erik Bedard, LHP
There were some positive signs from Bedard in 2003. The lefty missed most of the year following Tommy John surgery, but came back for a few rehab starts at the end of the year. Between the Gulf Coast League and New York-Penn League, Bedard tossed 15 2/3 innings, striking out 24 while walking only three. He also had one outing with Frederick in the Carolina League before being shut down for the rest of the year as a precaution. Barring any unusual developments this offseason, Bedard should be ready to resum his promising career full-throttle in 2004.
Darnell McDonald, OF
Many pegged 2003 to be a make-or-break season for McDonald, and the speedy outfielder burst out of the gate like he was taking no prisoners. Unfortunately, his promising season came to an end in June after a serious shoulder injury required him to go under the knife. In just 40 games and 152 at-bats, McDonald contributed a .296 average with 20 RBIs and five steals. He still has time to show what he can do, but the opportunites are beginning to run out for the 25-year-old.
Rommie Lewis, LHP
The experiment of making Lewis into a starting pitcher didn't go exactly according to plan. Though his overall ERA of 3.34 isn't exactly a stain on his record, he posted a disappointing 69:60 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Then, to complicate matters, he was hit hard after being sent back to the bullpen. Perhaps a return to full-time relief duty will enable the left-hander to regain his 2002 Sally League All-Star form.
Doug Gredvig, 1B
Gredvig's run production had improved gradually as he moved up the ladder, and he looked to be on the cusp of a big season after driving home a career-best 80 runs in 2002. But 2003 ended up being a wash for the first baseman, as a back injury limited him to only 100 at-bats in Double-A. Gredvig will likely need at least another full season in the minors before he can contribute to the big club.
Eli Whiteside, C
Though this was only Whiteside's second full professional season, 2003 has to be defined as a step backward for the catcher. He continued to play strong defense, but struggled at the plate after making strides the season before. A home plate collision that forced him out of action for a month had something to do with that, but Whiteside will have to do a lot better than a .204 average and .272 slugging percentage in Double-A to keep moving up the ladder.
Tripper Johnson, 3B
A bonus prospect because Bedard was out with the injury, Johnson made the grade after swatting 11 homers and stealing 19 bases for Delmarva in 2002. He got off to a great start for High-A Frederick this season, hitting .310 during the first two months. The 21-year-old was unable to keep up the pace, however, and finished at .273 with only five homers.
Cinderella story
Cory Morris, RHP
It's been a roller coaster career for the 15th-round selection in the 2001 draft. After being almost immediately assigned to High-A Frederick and doing surprisingly well in his rookie season, Morris struggled badly and was demoted to Delmarva a year later. A successful 2003 with Delmarva earned him a late-season promotion back to Frederick, where he seemed better prepared to deal with the Carolina League batters this time around. Morris is 24, so this one step forward, two steps back thing won't work in the long term. Next season could be make or break for him.
2003 draft recap
1. Nick Markakis, OF
Many looked at Markakis, twice drafted previously by the Cincinnati Reds, as a top-notch pitching prospect. The Orioles, however, preferred the idea of turning Markakis' left-handed power bat loose in Camden Yards some day. The No. 7 overall pick started his pro career late because of a committment to the Greek Olympic Team, but fit right in as soon as he reported to Aberdeen in the New York-Penn League. In 205 at-bats, Markakis batted .283, recorded a .372 on-base percentage and stole 13 bases.
2. Brian Finch, RHP
Finch's selection in the second round came as a surprise to those scouts who rated his Texas A&M teammates higher on the draft board. But the O's liked the right-hander's potential, and if his brief debut with Aberdeen is any indication, they may be on the money. Finch posted a 1.93 ERA in 28 innings, allowing just 19 hits and five walks while striking out 29.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
11/20/2003 12:50 PM ET
Orioles organization recap
By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/02/26/J5UZBwlC.jpg
Erik Bedard looked sharp in his return from Tommy John surgery and should be ready to go in 2004. (J.Pat Carter/AP)
Before the 2003 season began, MLB.com took an in-depth look at every big-league team's minor league system. Now it's time to recap all 30 organizations, from top prospects to the recent draft class.
2003 Organizational Leaders
Batting average: Mike Fontenot, .325
Home runs: Tommy Arko, Ivanon Coffie, Juan Diaz, 14
Runs batted in: Mike Huggins, 74
Stolen bases: Tim Raines Jr., 51
ERA: John Maine, 2.27
Wins: John Maine, 13
Strikeouts: John Maine, 185
Saves: Jeff Montani, 23
2003 Organizational Record
League (Level) Team W L PCT
International (AAA) Ottawa 79 65 .549
Eastern (AA) Bowie 69 72 .489
Carolina (A) Frederick 60 75 .444
S. Atlantic (A) Delmarva 67 71 .486
NY-Penn (SS) Aberdeen 38 38 .500
Appalachian (R) Bluefield 23 40 .365
Gulf Coast (R) Orioles 32 28 .533
Total 368 389 .486
Five Faves
At the start of the season, MLB.com identified five prospects to keep an eye on. Here's how they fared in 2003:
Erik Bedard, LHP
There were some positive signs from Bedard in 2003. The lefty missed most of the year following Tommy John surgery, but came back for a few rehab starts at the end of the year. Between the Gulf Coast League and New York-Penn League, Bedard tossed 15 2/3 innings, striking out 24 while walking only three. He also had one outing with Frederick in the Carolina League before being shut down for the rest of the year as a precaution. Barring any unusual developments this offseason, Bedard should be ready to resum his promising career full-throttle in 2004.
Darnell McDonald, OF
Many pegged 2003 to be a make-or-break season for McDonald, and the speedy outfielder burst out of the gate like he was taking no prisoners. Unfortunately, his promising season came to an end in June after a serious shoulder injury required him to go under the knife. In just 40 games and 152 at-bats, McDonald contributed a .296 average with 20 RBIs and five steals. He still has time to show what he can do, but the opportunites are beginning to run out for the 25-year-old.
Rommie Lewis, LHP
The experiment of making Lewis into a starting pitcher didn't go exactly according to plan. Though his overall ERA of 3.34 isn't exactly a stain on his record, he posted a disappointing 69:60 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Then, to complicate matters, he was hit hard after being sent back to the bullpen. Perhaps a return to full-time relief duty will enable the left-hander to regain his 2002 Sally League All-Star form.
Doug Gredvig, 1B
Gredvig's run production had improved gradually as he moved up the ladder, and he looked to be on the cusp of a big season after driving home a career-best 80 runs in 2002. But 2003 ended up being a wash for the first baseman, as a back injury limited him to only 100 at-bats in Double-A. Gredvig will likely need at least another full season in the minors before he can contribute to the big club.
Eli Whiteside, C
Though this was only Whiteside's second full professional season, 2003 has to be defined as a step backward for the catcher. He continued to play strong defense, but struggled at the plate after making strides the season before. A home plate collision that forced him out of action for a month had something to do with that, but Whiteside will have to do a lot better than a .204 average and .272 slugging percentage in Double-A to keep moving up the ladder.
Tripper Johnson, 3B
A bonus prospect because Bedard was out with the injury, Johnson made the grade after swatting 11 homers and stealing 19 bases for Delmarva in 2002. He got off to a great start for High-A Frederick this season, hitting .310 during the first two months. The 21-year-old was unable to keep up the pace, however, and finished at .273 with only five homers.
Cinderella story
Cory Morris, RHP
It's been a roller coaster career for the 15th-round selection in the 2001 draft. After being almost immediately assigned to High-A Frederick and doing surprisingly well in his rookie season, Morris struggled badly and was demoted to Delmarva a year later. A successful 2003 with Delmarva earned him a late-season promotion back to Frederick, where he seemed better prepared to deal with the Carolina League batters this time around. Morris is 24, so this one step forward, two steps back thing won't work in the long term. Next season could be make or break for him.
2003 draft recap
1. Nick Markakis, OF
Many looked at Markakis, twice drafted previously by the Cincinnati Reds, as a top-notch pitching prospect. The Orioles, however, preferred the idea of turning Markakis' left-handed power bat loose in Camden Yards some day. The No. 7 overall pick started his pro career late because of a committment to the Greek Olympic Team, but fit right in as soon as he reported to Aberdeen in the New York-Penn League. In 205 at-bats, Markakis batted .283, recorded a .372 on-base percentage and stole 13 bases.
2. Brian Finch, RHP
Finch's selection in the second round came as a surprise to those scouts who rated his Texas A&M teammates higher on the draft board. But the O's liked the right-hander's potential, and if his brief debut with Aberdeen is any indication, they may be on the money. Finch posted a 1.93 ERA in 28 innings, allowing just 19 hits and five walks while striking out 29.
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.