masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWhile awaiting tonight’s second game of the series in Anaheim, it is clear that the Orioles need to begin to come up with some better pitching and defense pretty soon.

Pitching and defense were staples of the club during the glory years of the ’60s and ’70s, but is eluding them in recent games. The Orioles made three errors last night. In addition to that, the club has just two quality starts from pitchers over the last 11 games and the starters’ ERA is 5.69 in that stretch.

Nolan…While awaiting tonight’s second game of the series in Anaheim, it is clear that the Orioles need to begin to come up with some better pitching and defense pretty soon.

Pitching and defense were staples of the club during the glory years of the ’60s and ’70s, but is eluding them in recent games. The Orioles made three errors last night. In addition to that, the club has just two quality starts from pitchers over the last 11 games and the starters’ ERA is 5.69 in that stretch.

Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters lead the club with three errors each through 14 games. The club’s 16 errors so far are at least twice as many as 10 American League clubs.

AL, worst fielding teams by percentage:
.971 – Orioles
.979 – Angels
.981 – Twins

AL, most errors by team:
16 – Orioles
11 – Angels
10 – Twins

Here are some Orioles minor league organizational leaders at this early stage of the season.

Batting average leaders:
.415 – Ronnie Welty, Frederick
.381 – Ty Kelly, Frederick
.370 – Gabriel Lino, Delmarva
.349 – John Ruettiger, Delmarva

ERA leaders:
0.54 – Scott Copeland, Frederick
0.60 – Jason Berken, Norfolk
2.00 – Jacob Pettit, Bowie
2.25 – Mike Wright, Frederick

Ranking the clubs by runs scored:
93 – Delmarva
71 – Bowie
65 – Frederick
53 – Norfolk

Ranking the clubs by team ERA:
3.20 – Delmarva
4.08 – Norfolk
4.17 – Frederick
4.34 – Bowie