Minor League Standouts: Pitchers

So far this season, a few Orioles minor leaguers have been extremely impressive, whether it’s Brandon Erbe, who threw a one-hitter last night over 6 innings, or Nolan Reimold, who is 1 RBI behind the leader of the International League.  Here are the guys who are really pushing their heads in front of the pack.

Pitchers:

• Brandon Erbe, SP, AA: Although he’s 0-2, Erbe has allowed only 1 ER over 9 innings, and has struck out 9 in 9 innings.
• David Hernandez, SP, AAA: Hernandez continues his ascent in the O’s system with 2 strong, short outings so far this year.  In his first, he threw 4.2 innings, and struck out 9, and his second was 4 innings and 6 punch outs.  He has a 2.08 ERA.
• Brad Bergesen, SP, AAA: Bergesen has had two strong outings, pitching 11 innings, striking out 9 and only allowing 3 ER.
• Ross Wolf, RP, AAA: Wolf has thrown 6.2 innings of scoreless relief work, punching out 7 batters.
• Troy Patton, SP, AA: Patton has thrown 11 scorless innings, including a 6 inning, 3 hit shutout on the 16th.  He has fanned 9 batters.  Expect him to be at AAA soon.
• Jake Arrieta, SP, AA: Arrieta continues his strikeout dominance, pitching twice for 9 innings, but having 12 strikeouts.  His first start: 4.0 IP, o ER, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 8 Ks.  Impressive.
• Zach Britton, SP, High A: Britton had a dissapointing 2007, but his 2008 was great, and he looks like he’s keeping that going with 9 IP, and a 2.00 ERA
• Luis Lebron, RP, High A: Lebron has thrown 7 scoreless innings of relief work, the most by any relief pitcher in the system without allowing a run, and has fanned 8 in addition to a save.
• Pat Egan, RP, Low  A: Egan is pushing for Lebron’s lead in the category, with 6 strong scoreless relief innings, impressing by fanning 5 and allowing only 2 hits.
• Oliver Drake, SP, Low A: Drake, the former Naval Academy student who got out of his military commitment because he hadn’t made it yet, shined in his first start this season, pitching 6 great innings, allowing 1 ER, only 3 hits, and striking out 6.

A preview to the position player section:

• Brandon Snyder, 1B, AA
• Nolan Reimold, OF, AAA
• Joseph Mahoney, 1B/DH, Low A
• Lou Montanez, OF, AAA
• Matt Angle, OF, High A
• Brandon Waring, 3B, High A

And maybe a few others.  Look out for it.