Steve Melewski

Texas takes down the AL East on its way to the Series

Texas takes down the AL East on its way to the Series
Ballgame over. Season over. Yankees lose. Theeeeeeee Yankees lose!!! Of course, I had to go there. Jeffrey Maier II could not even save them. When you flaunt winning like they do, like their fans do, like even their play-by-play announcer does, you have to expect some fans to revel in it when you lose. To some, the Yankees represent excellence - To others, all that is wrong with baseball. Checkbook baseball. Right after they lost Friday night, my first thought was this: If they...
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Josh Land

The World Series of Costumes

The World Series of Costumes
On one hand, the regular season feels like it ended ages ago; and on the other, it feels like October baseball has flown by...which has it felt like for you? But in the meantime, if you have kids, you're also probably gearing up for another reason to sport the orange and black - Halloween. And this year, Major League Baseball is helping you combine two of your favorite October traditions by hosting the World Series of Costumes competition. Click here to visit MLB.com/Halloween to upload...
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Steve Melewski

Building the model franchise

Building the model franchise
Here is an interesting question. Is there a model franchise in baseball - one that all others could learn from and should emulate? In this article, a Texas Rangers' executive feels the Red Sox, Angels and Phillies are great franchises for others to emulate. What makes a good franchise? Is it one that produces a steady stream of talent through its farm system? Is it simply completely about wins, no matter what method you get them? Is about consistent winning or the ability to produce a...
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Steve Melewski

Will there be a logjam at the upper levels on the farm?

Will there be a logjam at the upper levels on the farm?
In a recent post I mentioned the possibility of Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell starting next year back at Triple-A Norfolk. A lot can happen between now and next spring to change that, and the two players themselves could come to spring camp and force their way onto the Orioles roster next Opening Day. But if they don't and they start next April at Triple-A, those moves could have ramifications that impact some other good young players on the O's farm. If first and third base at Norfolk...
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Steve Melewski

After surgery, Erbe looks for smoother, cleaner mechanics

After surgery, Erbe looks for smoother, cleaner mechanics
After surgery to repair a torn labrum on August 13th, O's pitching prospect Brandon Erbe is in the very early stages of his comeback and rehab. He hopes to begin some light throwing in December and report to spring training on time in February. It may take a while, though, before he is back to pitching at top form and he is quite aware of that. Erbe is also in the early stages of re-tooling his windup and mechanics. He would like to emerge with smoother, cleaner mechanics after the...
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Steve Melewski

Luke Scott talks about his homer potential

Luke Scott talks about his homer potential
Earlier today in this space, I posted an article about Luke Scott's homer potential. He hit 27 homers this year and that ranked 14th best in the AL. But he was 6th in the AL in at bats per each home run. Scott is a player that has never gotten over 475 at bats in a single season. This year he had 447. With more at bats, could 35 to 40 homers be in reach for Scott? He wonders that as well. "The last three years, look at the power numbers. I hit 23, 25 and 27 homers in under 500 at...
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Steve Melewski

Luke and the longball: How many homers can he hit?

Luke and the longball: How many homers can he hit?
Here is a question I've been wondering about for a while: How many homers is Luke Scott capable of hitting if he were to get more at bats? Scott hit 27 homers this past season, which ranked 14th best in the American League. But he ranked 6th in the AL in at bats per homer. Here are the top six in at bats per home run this year in the AL: 10.54 - Jose Bautista, Tor 14.05 - Paul Konerko, CWS 14.42 - Miguel Cabrera, Det 16.19 - Josh Hamilton, Tex & David Ortiz, Bos 16.56 - Luke Scott,...
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Josh Land

Vote for Matusz and Jones

Vote for Matusz and Jones
It's that time of the year in baseball when the nominations - and eventually awards - start flowing, and two more Orioles could use your help in the voting. Brian Matusz and Adam Jones are each up for a 2010 This Year in Baseball Award. Matusz is up for the XFactor Player of the Year for going 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA over his final 11 starts. Matusz is the only pitcher nominated in the XFactor Player of the Year category, leaving the rest of the field to standout performances on the field...
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Josh Land

Vote for Matusz and Jones

Vote for Matusz and Jones
It's that time of the year in baseball when the nominations - and eventually awards - start flowing, and two more Orioles could use your help in the voting. Brian Matusz and Adam Jones are each up for a 2010 This Year in Baseball Award. Matusz is up for the XFactor Player of the Year for going 7-1 with a 2.18 ERA over his final 11 starts. Matusz is the only pitcher nominated in the XFactor Player of the Year category, leaving the rest of the field to standout performances on the field and...
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Steve Melewski

Monday quick takes

Monday quick takes
Checking in with a few thoughts and opinions while waiting for the next Cody Ross homer. Bell and Snyder: The Orioles are not saying it publicly, but it sure seems pretty certain that they are not planning to start either Josh Bell or Brandon Snyder in their infield to begin next season. There are two schools of thought here: You could just send them both out for the whole O's season in 2011, realize you are still most likely a ways from making the playoffs and let them sink or swim at the...
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Steve Melewski

This just in: Tom Hicks says he was stupid

This just in: Tom Hicks says he was stupid
When you list the men that have helped escalate salaries in baseball over the years like Marvin Miller, Don Fehr and Scott Boras, don't leave out the name Tom Hicks. He was the owner of the Texas Rangers who gave Alex Rodriguez a 10-year, $252 million dollar contract in December of 2000. Hicks now agrees that was a dumb move. Well, duh. Most of the baseball world knew it was a dumb move then. I don't remember every detail and won't try to rewrite history here. But, by my recollection,...
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Steve Melewski

The O's vs. the East & Avery's breakout AFL game

The O's vs. the East & Avery's breakout AFL game
There were so many ways to statistically quantify how dramatic the turnaround was for the Orioles under Buck Showalter. You can look at the starting pitching stats or the hitting with runners in scoring position stats. You could also look at how the O's did when playing the Beasts of the AL East. Before Showalter took over, the club won just one of 15 series vs. the East. Then, under Buck, they won five of nine. They were 10-35 before Buck and 14-13 vs. the East with Buck. Here is what...
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Josh Land

Gary Thorne named play-by-play announcer for international broadcasts of ALCS and WS

Gary Thorne named play-by-play announcer for international broadcasts of ALCS and WS
The O's may not be battling their way through postseason play this October, but for O's fans abroad this time of year, the voice of the postseason might start to feel familiar. Gary Thorne, your very own O's play-by-play announcer on MASN, was recently given the same role to play in the international broadcasts of the 2010 ALCS and World Series. Starting today, Thorne will work together with Cy Young Award-winner Rick Sutcliffe to bring baseball fans from 219 countries and territories and...
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Steve Melewski

In pursuit of homers: Should Markakis pull the ball more?

In pursuit of homers: Should Markakis pull the ball more?
It's been said and asked before about Nick Markakis by those with the Orioles and some others from outside the organization. Why doesn't he pull the ball more and hit a bunch of homers over that right-field scoreboard? Some think that short right-field porch should become a regular landing place for Markakis homers. That is, if he would turn on the ball more and drive the inside pitch to right. We know Markakis loves to hit to left and left center and has gap-to-gap power. But he can...
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Steve Melewski

One final thought: My take on the top prospects' lists

One final thought: My take on the top prospects' lists
There is no spin or excuses that can explain the fact the Orioles had just four players listed on the Baseball America minor league top 20 prospects lists while the rest of the AL East had 56 combined. The O's come up lacking big time here and got blown away by the rest of the division. To me it raises a red flag or two and is cause for concern, but certainly not wide spread panic. It doesn't mean everything the O's are doing is wrong or that they can't produce talent. They do have a...
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Steve Melewski

MacPhail's take on the Baseball America lists

MacPhail's take on the Baseball America lists
I checked in with Andy MacPhail to get his thoughts on why the Orioles had so few prospects on the Baseball America minor league top 20 prospects lists. He can see, like we all can, that the O's had just four players listed and it tied Oakland for last in baseball. "The last two drafts, for whatever reason, we've had an inordinate amount of our players hurt, just didn't play a lot. Givens, Townsend. Then you add to the fact that no one is signing until August 15th these days. "But...
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Steve Melewski

Jim Callis on Machado, Mahoney and more

Jim Callis on Machado, Mahoney and more
Earlier today, I ran a story with quotes from Jim Callis of Baseball America discussing the O's lack of players on the publication's top 20 prospects lists in minor league baseball. Only four players from the O's farm - Zach Britton, Jake Arrieta, Xavier Avery and Wynn Pelzer - were listed in the top 20 of any league. In Baseball America online chats about each league, several O's prospects were referenced. Manny Machado would have likely been the top prospect in both leagues in played...
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Steve Melewski

A look at the O's lack of prospects listed by Baseball America

A look at the O's lack of prospects listed by Baseball America
This is not a good statistic for the Orioles farm system. Just four players from the O's organization were listed among the Baseball America top 20 prospects lists for each league in minor league baseball. One of the four came in a trade. That tied Oakland for last in all of baseball. Pitcher Zach Britton was ranked 2nd in the Eastern League and 6th in the International League. Outfielder Xavier Avery was rated 12th best prospect in the Carolina League and pitcher Jake Arrieta was 14th in...
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Steve Melewski

Talking with Buck about the minor leagues

Talking with Buck about the minor leagues
As new O's manager Buck Showalter continues to put his stamp, if you will, on this organization, what about the minor leagues? During his brief time as O's skipper, Showalter already has made trips to Bowie and Aberdeen and saw some of the O's younger prospects workout during the instructional league camp at Camden Yards. How much impact and input does Showalter want to have on the minors? In a recent meeting in his Camden Yards office, Showalter talked on that topic. "I trust John...
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Josh Land

Vote for Luuuuke!

Vote for Luuuuke!
Today is your last chance to cast your vote for Luke Scott for the Hank Aaron Award, which is given annually to the top offensive player in each league. This year, fan votes will be counted alongside the votes from a panel of Hall of Famers hand-selected by Hank Aaron himself. So toss your vote in with Tony Gwynn, Harmon Killebrew, Paul Molitor, Willie McCovey, Billy Williams, and Robin Yount to help Scott secure the honor of this year's award. Check out Luke Scott's batting stats here...
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