It is hard not to be excited when you have the opportunity to field the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, Player of the Year, and Batting Champion on your team. Well, that is exactly what the Bowie Baysox have coming to them this season. That doesn’t guarantee success, but what it does guarantee is that there will be a solid product on the field and some energy at Prince George’s Stadium.
The pitching staff is coming together nicely for Baysox. The staff will be headlined by Zach Britton, Chorye Spoone, and Steve Johnson. Zach was last year’s Carolina League Pitcher of the Year. He is a lefty with a nasty sinker. Spoone was on the fast track through the minors before he tore is labrum in 2008. He spent most of 2009 recovering, and he should be back to form in 2010. Johnson was recently returned to the O’s organization by San Francisco Giants who picked him up in the Rule 5 Draft. Johnson will be eying that promotion to Norfolk, so expect to see him strong out of the gate.
I’m not sure where everybody will be playing this season in the field because the O’s are always moving players around. Here is my best guess so far. The outfield will be mimic Frederick’s outfield last season- Tyler Henson in left, Matt Angle in center, and Billy Rowell in right. This is the make or break year for Rowell, the former first round pick. The infield will likely have Carolina League Batting Champion Robbie Widlansky playing 1st. Miguel Abreu will be back in Bowie playing 2nd. Pedro Florimon will be playing SS. Carolina League Player of the Year, Brandon Waring, will be playing 3rd. Caleb Joseph will pick up the majority of the Catching duties.
On paper this team looks great. Just remember that this team made up most of the Frederick Keys and failed to make the playoffs. The Baysox are also in a tough division. In order for the Baysox to make the postseason, they will have to stay healthy, avoid mistakes, and have a whole lot of fun. The one benefit that this team does have is that there won’t be as much turnover throughout the season. The Bowie Baysox are another example of how the Oriole’s farm system is returning to its past glory.
Sads…Nice article…Billy Rowell….Hmmmmm…O's picked Billy just ahead of two-time Cy Young Winner Tim Lincecum in 2006…And well ahead of Joba Chamberlain…And Billy is still in Double A? (Note: The CAPS to come are not directed at you, but instead to all of my "Small Market Conspirarists") MUST BE BECAUSE SOME TIME BETWEEN 1996 AND 2006 BALTIMORE BECAME A SMALL MARKET and therefor can't be held responsible for their inability to identify and develop talent! Boo-ya!
I get near tears every time I consider what could have been had the O's selected Lincecum over Rowell. My only consolation is that their were 8 other teams that passed on the Freak before the O's did. And you can look at any MLB draft and see players that manu clubs missed on. But I think the O's were close to taking Lincecum.
I think Prince Fielder was in that draft after Rowell too. It's frustrating seeing him continue to struggle and apparently is work ethic isn't quite up to par either.
I agree with Bruz on the Small Market conspiracists, he always backs his points up with facts…like how the Yankees success was really built on solid draft picks and farm system.
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