It can be said that young talent often comes of age in Arizona. The Orioles have seen it happen recently, with left-handed starter Adam Loewen bursting onto the scene with a solid Arizona Fall League performance last year.
Led by outfielders Jeff Fiorentino and Nolan Reimold, this year?s crop of Orioles? prospects in Arizona is solid, helping the Grand Canyon Rafters to a 12-10 record heading into Monday?s game with the Peoria Saguaros. Fiorentino, 23, came into Monday?s game hitting .317 with a pair of home runs in 17 games.
“He has just played fantastic,” said Dave Stockstill, the Orioles director of minor league operations. “[Jeff has] swung the bat very well and played consistently in the outfield.”
Stockstill admitted that a player?s performance in Arizona can provide a significant lift to his career.
“It can help you skip a level in the summer,” Stockstill said. “It can help you move up faster. They?re all prospects out there. It helps separate those guys that have a chance and that don?t have a chance.”
Stockstill said Fiorentino, who made a September appearance in Baltimore, has a chance.
“I think it?s really in Jeff Fiorentino?s hands,” Stockstill said.
If he carries Arizona success over to spring training, Fiorentino could replicate Nick Markakis? jump to Baltimore at the start of last season.
“It?s going to force someone to make a decision,” Stockstill said.
Reimold, 23, has essentially erased an injury-plagued 2006, in which he hit .255 (down from his .285 average of 2005) with 19 home runs and 75 runs batted in.
“Has hit for power, hit for average and played very well in the outfield,” Stockstill said. “Coming from A ball, he?s adjusted very well to that level of competition.”
Reimold is batting .283 with one home run and 13 RBI for the Rafters.
“I think Reimold has the ability to be a star right fielder in the major leagues,” Stockstill said. “He?s going to have outstanding home run power. He has the chance to be an impact player at the major league level.”
The Orioles have eight players on the current roster for Grand Canyon after catcher/infielder Ryan Hubele moved to the Phoenix Desert Dogs as an injury replacement.
