Welcome to the Orioles Minor League Roundup. A weekly feature where I highlight one player from each minor league level who either has had a solid season overall or simply a hot week. We need a little hope in the midst of this 50 win season of ours.
Low A Delmarva Shorebirds: SS Adam Hall
While Hall has been a bit of a project as a prospect, he is seen by many to be the best infield prospect in the Orioles' system. His best tools are his plus speed and his glove at shortstop, which many scouts view as above average. At the plate, he has good bat speed and makes consistent contact but lacks any real home run power. With his speed, however, he should be able to hit his fair share of doubles and triples. Over his last ten games at Delmarva he's hit a scorching .417 which pushed his 2019 season line to .330/.407/.434, good for an .834 OPS. Although I don't expect Hall to be a fast mover, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him promoted to Frederick after his low A all-star appearance on June 18th.
High A Frederick Keys: RHP Cody Sedlock
Sedlock gets a mention here to a highlight a bit of a comeback season he's having. In eight starts, he's posted an ERA of 1.44 with a miniscule WHIP of 0.78. In his most recent two outings, he's given up just one earned run in a combined twelve innings, striking out twelve. After struggling with injuries Sedlock's velocity is down somewhat but his secondary pitches have improved, especially the changeup. If he earns a promotion to Bowie and continues to dominate the former first round pick will likely find himself back on the team's top prospect lists.
AA Bowie Baysox: LHP Alex Wells
In his most recent turn in the rotation, soft tossing lefty Alex Wells went seven and two-thirds innings, scattering six hits, and allowing just a single earned run. It was a dominant outing to go along with a dominant season for the Aussie pitcher. He owns a 1.62 ERA at AA and a WHIP of 1.02. The lefty's plus control allows his fringey fastball to play up due to his ability to locate it in all four quadrants of the strike zone. His best pitch is, however, an above average changeup that shows late sink. It pairs nicely with his fastball. He also possesses a 12-6 curve that has improved as he's advanced through the minors and now is about average. Wells's success at AA has been surprising considering his below average fastball and the superior competition he's facing. But if his strong outings continue, we'll likely see the lefty in Baltimore sooner rather than later. He was recently named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week.
AAA Norfolk Tides: 1B Ryan Mountcastle
At only 22 years old, the Orioles' top prospect is likely big league ready. With an OPS approaching .900 to go along with his slashline .319/.341/.548, the first baseman has proven he can hit AAA pitching. But with the organization's focus being on development it's likely we won't see the Mountcastle until after the July trade deadline, at the earliest, if Trey Mancini is dealt. Even then, it may not be until next season. In his past ten games, Moutcastle has hit .304 with four homers, including three in one game.
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