When I was the play-by-play broadcaster several years ago for the Aberdeen IronBirds, I can remember watching a young right-hander from the Dominican Republic join our team in 2005 and start dominating New York-Penn League hitters. I can still remember a warm, July night in Burlington, Vt.,when he struck out 15 without a walk in six brilliant, dominant, shutout innings. That year with the IronBirds, he went 5-4, 1.77 in 11 starts and over 56 innings allowed just 36 hits while recording 82...

A reader was kind enough to remind me that today is the 20-year anniversary of arguably the worst trade in Orioles history (if anyone is still arguing it). I won't rush out to Greetings & Readings. The occasion doesn't call for a card. You're better off with a stiff drink and a short memory. Twenty years ago today, the Orioles traded three players to the Houston Astros for first baseman Glenn Davis. You might recognize the names: Curt Schilling, Pete Harnisch and Steve Finley. Those guys...

More snow is on the way tomorrow, so make sure you have plenty of milk, bread and toilet paper. Those are the staples. Well, you don't want staples in your toilet paper, but you should stock up anyway. I'm continuing to make my spring training arrangements, which includes booking a flight to Sarasota and returning home from Tampa after the opening three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Seems like only a year ago that I did the exact same thing. It would be a lot easier...

It is always fun when you can complete a top 10 list and your No. 1 prospect in the organization is considered arguably the best amateur hitting prospect of all time. Bryce Harper was picked No. 1 overall by the Nationals in the June draft, signed in mid-August, played in the instructional league and then rode the taxi squad in Scottsdale to the Arizona Fall League title. With naysayers skeptical of his placement in the advanced league in the first place, Harper went out and hit a...

When looking at new O's corner infielders Derrek Lee and Mark Reynolds, you could make a case for either as the club's best power bat acquisition. Lee has a career OPS of .865 to Reynolds' .817. While Reynolds has never had an OPS over .900 in his four big league seasons, Lee's OPS was .972 with the Cubs in 2009. But if you talk strictly homers only, Reynolds moves to the top of the charts. While Lee hit 35 in 2009, Reynolds has averaged nearly 35 over the last three seasons at...

If the Orioles are going to avoid another 2-16 start, if they're going to make significant progress in 2011 and stop ripping their fans' hearts out, Brian Roberts will need to stay healthy and stay in the lineup. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have a Plan B for the leadoff spot. The Orioles are close to finishing their roster moves for the winter. A left-handed reliever and starting pitcher remain on the shopping list. As you've heard, one of the available designated hitters would have to...

What a season it was for catcher Derek Norris. After fighting through a hand injury and getting hit in the head with a pitched ball, Norris rebounded with championships in the Carolina League and the Arizona Fall League. Baseball America ranks Derek Norris as the No.2 overall prospect in the Nationals organization. Aaron Fitt of Baseball America says Norris has the potential to be as good offensively as what the Nats have at the major league level. "(Norris) has got more offensive upside...

Former Orioles left-hander Will Ohman has agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to this tweet, and this one, from SI.com's Jon Heyman. News broke yesterday that Ohman had narrowed his choices to three American League teams. The Orioles bowed out once it became clear that Ohman could haul in this type of deal. I don't think they're looking to invest much more in their bullpen, and they're not inclined to offer multiple years here, but they'll sign...

Many readers on this and other blogs have mentioned two things that fuel their optimism for the Orioles in 2011: The O's have improved while several American League East teams have not. While I, like most of you, feel the Orioles can be much improved with their additions in the field, their young pitching, their strong finish and a full season with Buck Showalter, I am not yet willing to concede that this division is starting to lose its clout. No doubt, right now, Boston is the clear...

It's snowing lightly and Carroll County schools are closed. Of course, they would have been closed anyway on a Saturday. It's the perfect storm. I found a few leftover quotes while sifting through my notebook. Here's one from president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, on the day that the Orioles signed first baseman Derrek Lee: "He's a productive middle-of-the-lineup hitter to begin with. It's very tough for him to come out of the lineup, That was obvious last year when he had a...