Baltimore Orioles: Down on the farm

With the Baltimore Orioles struggling right now, it’s worth mentioning that some folks in their minor league system are thriving. Down the road in Frederick, the Keys have won two straight games from their Carolina League rivals, Potomac Nationals. The Keys defeated Potomac 3-1 last night at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA.

First off it’s interesting how minor league baseball has evolved a bit. Growing up in the 1980’s and ’90’s, my Dad didn’t take us to very many minor league baseball games. We had the Keys and the Alexandria Dukes (in Alexandria, VA), who later moved down the pike and became the Prince William Cannons – now the Potomac Nationals. But with the Orioles playing at Memorial Stadium and later Camden Yards, we never had a reason to go to minor league games.

Baltimore Orioles keep eyeing stopgap options in rotation

Call to the Pen

Last-Chance DraftKings and FanDuel Maryland Promo Codes: How to Bet $40 and Get $700 Before Offer EndsFanSided

MLB Power Rankings: Where all 30 teams rank after the Winter MeetingsFanSided

AL East Power Rankings with Aaron Judge back in the pictureFanSided

Baltimore Orioles eyeing one of top starters in free agencyCall to the Pen

Baltimore Orioles need a lot more than Kyle GibsonCall to the Pen

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

However at that time the Keys (and later the Bowie Baysox) were a bit of an anamoly. Very few big league clubs had farm teams within striking distance of the big league club. Heck the Dukes/Cannons/Nationals revolved around; at varying points they were part of the ChiSox and Pirates’ farm systems. However now it seems that there’s more of an emphasis on having your farm teams close by, which especially helps a team like the Orioles who fully utilizes it’s 40-man roster.

The Keys’ left fielder Jay Gonzalez is a fairly solid prospect, going 1-for-5 in last night’s game. The Keys also got two hits (including a home run) out of Chance Sisco, their catcher. The game went to the ninth inning tied at one, but Frederick scored on a wild pitch by the Potomac pitcher, and later in the inning Tanner Witt squeezed a run home on a sac bunt. For what it’s worth the Washington Nationals’ top pitching prospect, Lucas Giolito, started the game for Potomac, pitching six innings. Washington’s third baseman, Anthony Rendon, was also guarding the hot corner for Potomac – in a rehab assignment.

Keep in mind that the Keys are Class A ball; so these prospects might not see the field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for some time. You do have some prospects (Manny Machado, for instance) who are fast tracked to the big leagues. But for most of these guys it takes some time – if they make it at all. Incidentally while this was technically a road game for the Keys, I’d highly recommend making the trek out to Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick if you haven’t been. It’s great family entertainment at very affordable prices. And you never know when you might see a future star!

As for the Orioles, they’re down in Tampa trying to keep their season from teetering on the brink. The three-game series at the Trop opens tonight with Chris Tillman on the mound, against Tampa’s Chris Archer. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Next: Baltimore Orioles: Time to be sellers?

Baltimore Orioles: Down on the farm

More from Birds Watcher

Schedule