Joining The Ranks

To commemorate all of the new prospects that will be entering the O's system, lets look at some current minor leaguers who are doing well.

Luis Terrero, Oscar Salazar, Greg Aquino and Esteban Yan are probably the guys playing best at AAA, so we'll move down a level.

Nolan Reimold (RF) is up to 272 / 365 / 475, 8 HR, 33:31 K to BB. He's showing that patience and power that I've been waiting for. He should be moved up to AAA fairly soon, and will probably be worth a September call-up.

Jonathon Tucker (2B) is kind of old for the level (24), but has shown a good eye at the plate in hitting 275 / 377 / 433, 3 HR, 26:26. I'd move him up to AAA and see if he can handle it. If he can keep that OBP up, then it's not crazy to think he could be serviceable filling in for Roberts, despite not being a real prospect.

Jason Berken (RHSP) has been very good despite the 4.86 ERA; 49:9 K to BB, and 4 HR in 63 IP. Also 24, but very good control and an OK K rate make me think a #4/5 starter ceiling despite less than excellent stuff.

David Hernandez (RHSP) - 3.19 ERA, 59.1 IP, 70:29, 6 HR. Power arm with control issues. Hard to deny that 10.6 K/9, and if he can get the walks down his ceiling is that of a #3 starter. Otherwise, he could be a good arm out of the pen.

Chris Tillman (RHSP) - 2.76 ERA, 58.2 IP, 59:30, 2 HR. Power arm with control issues, but he has better stuff than Hernandez and is three years younger. The Bedard trade already looks great with just Jones and Sherrill (10 Win Shares to 2 for Seattle), but once Tillman hits the majors it might turn out to be a big-time steal.

Brad Bergesen (RHSP) - 2.39 ERA, 52.2 IP, 26:11, 2 HR. Extreme groundball pitcher with good control. Could eventually be in the mix for the #4/5 starter roles.

Matt Wieters (C) is of course crushing the ball - 337 / 432 / 565, 12 HR, 37:31. He is striking out a bit too much for my liking, but needs to be moved up right after the league's All-Star game (where he'll be starting) at the latest.

Jake Arrieta (RHSP) is likewise dominating - 2.45 ERA, 69.2 IP, 72:36, 4 HR. He is walking a few too many guys for my liking, but needs to be moved up right after the league's All-Star game (in which he'll likely pitch) at the latest.

Brandon Erbe (RHSP) is bouncing back this season - 5.01 ERA, 64.2 IP, 59:17, 10 HR. He is giving up a few too many home runs for my liking, and should probably stay at this level unless he really starts to dominate.

Zach Britton (LHSP) - 3.18 ERA, 62.1 IP, 42:14, 4 HR. Another groundball pitcher with pretty good control. His ceiling is higher than Bergesen, since he has better stuff and is a lefty.

Tony Butler (LHSP) was supposed to have control issues, but they haven't shown up so far this year - 4.21 ERA, 47 IP, 35:7, 5 HR. Now we're just piling on with that Bedard trade.