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Baltimore Orioles: Down on the Farm

By Kyle Andrews

Sep 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Mychal Givens (60) pitches during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Toronto Blue Jays 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Mychal Givens (60) pitches during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Toronto Blue Jays 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Orioles will come into Spring Training looking for some of their young players down on the farm to make an impact.

The farm system of the Orioles often does not get a lot of love and respect around baseball. But there is reason for O’s fans to have hope for contributions from more than just a couple of rising players.

Buck Showalter makes use of his minor league players. Here’s a look at four players that could or will make an appearance in the Majors this season — that were down in the Minor League system last season:

Dylan Bundy, RHP

Mar 16, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy (49) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy (49) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Dylan Bundy is coming off a 2015 season that ended prematurely with a shoulder injury. He has only pitched in 17 games since going down with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in 2013, which required Tommy John. He also pitched in the Arizona Fall League, but was shut down after having shoulder tightness.

“I don’t think it was anything,” Bundy said about his elbow in an interview with the Baltimore Sun. “It was just a precautionary thing where they shut me down. Maybe it was just starting to throw again. When you’re starting to throw again, you’re going to get sore in certain places. You’ve just got to get used to it. I just was kind of cautious about it and I told the trainers and they took care of it.”

“Feel great,” Bundy added. “Arm is healthy, so I’m really excited going into 2016 spring training. I’m just going to get in shape. I just started my workout and I’ll start throwing here next week and get in shape the best way I can and go into spring training healthy and compete for a spot.”

In a report from MASN Sports, Bundy has thrown 20 pitches in a bullpen session without having any pain. Bundy feels like he’s ready to go and will continue to work out the kinks.

“It felt fine,” he said. “I’ve just got to work on mechanics now and repeat my delivery. That’s kind of what I’m focusing on now in the offseason.”

He looks to be able to throw from a full mound in the next few weeks and Spring Training should be very eventful for Bundy.

“I’m kind of ready to be over all the injuries and stuff like that and come to spring training healthy and ready to compete for a spot,” Bundy said. “That’s the main goal.”

Most likely Bundy will serve a bullpen role in 2016 with the Orioles due to his injury history and the fact that he is out of minor league options. The Orioles have hope that he can begin to work multiple innings of relief so that he can work his arm back into starter’s shape. He is surely part of the team’s plan in the future, if he can stay healthy.

Dariel Alvarez, RF

Dariel Alvarez played in 12 games with the Orioles in 2015. He batted .241 and only had one homer. However, Alvarez showed promise with his arm strength in the corner outfield and his prowess with the bat in the minors. He had a line of .295/.323/.457 during 3 seasons in the minors. Alvarez also has a chance to become a starter this season.

The Orioles didn’t acquire a big-time starting right fielder this offseason. This gives Alvarez an opportunity to compete against the likes of Nolan Reimold and Henry Urrutia for the last spot in the outfield.

Mike Wright, RHP

Mike Wright pitched in 12 games for the Orioles with a 3-5 record, 6.04 ERA and 26 strikeouts. He had a couple of opportunities to solidify a starting role with Baltimore, however, his lack of control led to him being demoted to AAA Norfolk to work on his craft. Wright has very electric stuff, with his fastball routinely reaching around 95 mph. If he can work on his control and secondary pitches, Wright could be a good starter for the Birds.

Tyler Wilson, RHP

Sep 18, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Tyler Wilson (63) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Tyler Wilson (63) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Wilson pitched in nine games for the Orioles. He had a 2-2 record, a 3.50 ERA, and 30 strikeouts. His control has been absolutely outstanding. I believe that Wilson will be the fifth starter for the Orioles, if they do not pick up any more starters.

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He has been impressive in his few outings in Baltimore and has shown the poise of a Major League pitcher. His stuff isn’t very overpowering, but he paints the corners and places his pitches with precision. At only the age of 26 this season, Wilson could prove to the Orioles that they have someone who is in-house that is worthy of becoming the fifth starter.

Mychal Givens, RHP

Mychal Givens turned many heads in 2015. With his side-winding delivery and impressive ERA (1.80) in 22 appearances, Givens will be a key participant in the Orioles bullpen this season. He also struck out 38 batters in those 22 innings. He is also looking to build up his innings next season, as he doesn’t want to just be looked at as a one inning pitcher.

“It’s going to help me a lot, just not me as myself,” Givens said. “It’s going to help the team when we have games that go long. Instead of just having a guy go one inning, having a guy throw two or three innings is going to help our bullpen. That’s a positive side of that.”

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