With recall, Olson leads pack of promising ?05 picks

Published July 6, 2007 4:00am ET



When Garrett Olson was recalled from Triple-A before Wednesday?s game, it was apparent that the 2005 draft class had arrived.

Olson was the Orioles? second pick in that draft, 48th overall in the compensatory round.

While it was assumed from the get-go that Olson would be on a rather fast track, the rest of his class has trailed behind.

First round pick Brandon Snyder and second round selection Nolan Reimold have been derailed by injuries. Once both are healthy, their bats are likely to push them through the system quickly.

Right-hander Brandon Erbe, the team?s third round pick out of McDonogh School, is widely considered the club?s top pitching prospect. Armed with a high-90s fastball, Erbe has been inconsistent, but shows the potential to be a fixture in the O?s rotation.

The pick the club used on Olson came as compensation for 2004 first-rounder Wade Townsend. Townsend never signed a contract, and has since struggled through injuries in the Tampa Bay system.

NORFOLK (39-47)

Catcher/first baseman J.R. House paces the Tides with a .296 average and 48 RBI. His seven home runs are good for third on the club. House, who had shoulder surgery in 2005, must improve his defense and throwing before he?ll be recalled.

BOWIE (41-43)

Right-hander Radhames Liz, outfielder Val Majewski and third baseman Oscar Salazar were named to the Eastern League All-Star Team. The Baysox trio will play for the Southern Division in the July 11 game in Norwich, Conn.

FREDERICK (5-9)*

Right-hander David Hernandez, often overshadowed by rotation-mate Erbe, is 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA. In 84.2 innings, he has struck out 95 and walked just 32. Hernandez was chosen in the 16th round in ?05.

DELMARVA (5-8)*

Through two starts, 2007 fourth-round pick Tim Bascom has a 0.90 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP, having struck out 14 and walked just two in 10.0 innings.

BLUEFIELD (7-7)

After a 5-1 start, Bluefield has come back to .500. Reliever Sean Gleason has struck out 13 and walked just one in 13.2 innings. The 20th-round selection sports a 2-0 record, 1.32 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.

* ? Second-half records