Despite the Scorpions' 5-13 last-place record, Scottsdale right-handed reliever Rafael Martin has pitched well this month in the Arizona Fall League. The San Fernando, Calif., native has pitched six relief innings over four games since Oct. 11, allowing just one run on four hits, with two walks and five strikeouts, for an impressive 1.50 ERA. Scorpions and Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart said Martin is "one of the bright spots overall on the pitching staff and really stands...

Repeating the intended order of hires, the Orioles are expected to introduce their new president of baseball operations before announcing Joe Jordan's replacement as scouting director and Brian Graham's expected promotion to director of player development, and revealing which two coaches will complete manager Buck Showalter's staff. If Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto is chosen as Andy MacPhail's replacement, a possible hire as scouting director could be Indians national crosschecker...

Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual "America's Night of Hope." The event, hosted by Joel and Victoria Osteen, will take place April 28 at Nationals Park. "America's Night of Hope" draws thousands of attendees from across the nation for an evening of celebration and hope. In previous years, the event was held at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and U. S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. For more information or to purchase $15 tickets for...

I wrote a few days ago that the Orioles have hired a few minor league coaches for next season. I've heard that one new addition will be former Nationals first base coach Dan Radison. Though assignments haven't been made official, Radison could serve as hitting instructor at Double-A Bowie, with Denny Hocking perhaps moving up to Triple-A Norfolk. Radison was fired by the Nationals on July 1 after Davey Johnson replaced Jim Riggleman as manager. Trent Jewett replaced Radison, who is close...

We will find out soon if any Oriole will win a Gold Glove for defensive excellence in the 2011 season. There may even be a chance that the O's get more than one winner and the Orioles have not done that since they picked up three Gold Gloves in 1998. Then, Mike Mussina won at pitcher, Rafael Palmeiro at first base and Roberto Alomar for second base. The Gold Glove winners for this season will be announced Nov. 1. For the first time, the three outfield awards will go to one winner from left...

We've debated which starting pitchers are realistic targets for the Orioles. We've kicked around the idea of the Orioles making a run at Prince Fielder or Michael Cuddyer or any hitter with a pulse and a productive bat. We've argued whether Adam Jones should be traded while his value is high and his free agent year is still a little ways in the distance. With yesterday being devoid of GM news - and non-update updates give me a full body rash - I figured to revisit the potential vacancy at...

Watching Game 5 of the World Series on Monday and seeing Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland crank a crucial solo home run, it reminded me of a conversation I had with Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt comparing the Rangers' young player with the Washington Nationals' Tyler Moore. There are similarities between the two sluggers, except for what side of the batter's box they step in to. One hits lefty (Moreland) and the other is a righty (Moore), but both played college ball...

Scottsdale left-hander Sammy Solis had a consistent outing Monday, staking the Scorpions to a 3-2 lead through five innings of an 8-4 setback at the Peoria Javelinas of Arizona Fall League play. Solis allowed only two runs, struck out three, scattering four hits with one walk. He threw 63 pitches, 44 for strikes. He did hit one batter and had a pickoff attempt that turned into an error, got a no-decision. Solis had a clean first, setting down the Javelinas 1-2-3. The second inning saw...

Coming into the 2011 season, probably no one would have predicted that Greg Miclat would lead the Orioles organization in stolen bases this season with 50. In his first three seasons in the O's minors, after he was drafted in round five out of the University of Virginia in 2008, Miclat had stolen 41 bases total in 57 attempts. Plus, we are talking about a player that has decent, but certainly not blazing, speed. But the 24-year-old Miclat went 50-for-53 in steal attempts this season for...

As you know, the Orioles will interview Dodgers executive De Jon Watson tomorrow morning, making him the third candidate to fly into Baltimore. Jerry Dipoto and Tony LaCava beat him here. The Angels also are in the midst of a GM search, but I don't see many similarities in the two lists. The Angels also have targeted Dipoto, and both teams could contact Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine once the World Series ends. Andrew Friedman (Rays) and Damon Oppenheimer (Yankees) already have met with...