Major league teams mainly use the minor leagues as a training ground for their up-and-coming prospects.
At the same time, the minors are also home to a number of veteran players that help keep the minor league teams competitive while also providing the parent clubs with insurance in case a player gets injured.
The Orioles have a number of such veterans playing in their system, including outfielder Howie Clark. Clark put together a 16-game hit streak with Class-AAA Ottawa before being recalled Friday. Other veterans making contributions include 32-year-old infielder Andy Tracy, who through Tuesday was batting .262with 13 homers and 43 RBI. In addition there is pitcher 32-year-old pitcher Tim Kester (2-1, 1.80 ERA), 33-year-old reliever Julio Manon (14 saves) and 31-year-old third baseman Fernando Tatis (.299, 7 HR, 23 RBI).
“We look for veteran players that have been successful who have tools that can help us at the major league level if needed,” said David Stockstill, the Orioles Director of Player Development.
OTTAWA LYNX
Right-hander Brian Bowles (4-4) has won his last three decisions, including Sunday when he allowed one run on nine hits.
BOWIE BAYSOX
Outfielder Tony Alvarez entered Wednesday batting .267, after a recent five-game stretch where he went 6-for-20 with a homer, three doubles, three RBI and three runs.
FREDERICK KEYS
Carolina League All-Star outfielder Paco Figueroa was fourth in the league with 18 steals before going on the disabled list Monday ? Fellow all-star Nolan Reimold went 0-for-8 in a pair of losses last Thursday. Still, he?s batting .274 with nine homers.
DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS
Pitcher Brandon Erbe gave up one hit and struck out two in one inning of relief to help the North defeat the South, 4-0, Tuesday in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Chorye Spoone struck out one in a third of an inning, while outfielder Quincey Ascencion went 1-for-3.
MINOR NOTES
Stockstill said it?s still premature to determine the fate of the Orioles relationship with Ottawa following a story in The (Allentown) Morning Call that a group of investors will buy the Lynx and move the Philadelphia Phillies Class-AAA club there next year before settling in Allentown, Pa. in 2008 … Ian Hendricks, the son of late Oriole player and coach Elrod Hendricks, was named the varsity baseball coach Wednesday at the McDonogh School.
