Don?t rush to judgment on top draft picks

Through Tuesday, Rowell was batting .229 with two RBI and 14 strikeouts in 35 at-bats at Rookie league Bluefield. Beato was 0-0 with a 4.96 ERA, 19 strikeouts and 11 walks in 16.1 innings.

However, Orioles Director of Minor League Operations David Stockstill said those numbers are meaningless at this point of their careers. Too many factors are involved as newly drafted players begin their professional careers, he added.

“You have no idea what will happen during their first half season,” Stockstill said. “Players are adjusting to a totally different lifestyle, coming off a long college or high school season while dealing with being exposed to the life in professional baseball. You have some players who look great and have great numbers right out of the gate and never play well again. Other times, you have players who struggle during that first half a season and turn into good major league players.”

OTTAWA LYNX (55-51)

Outfielder Val Majweski continues to come back from injuries that cost him last year as he?s batting .252 with 32 RBI after a recent nine-game stretch where he batted .444.

BOWIE BAYSOX (47-53)

Outfielder Jeff Fiorentino has raised his average to .236 with eight homers and 37 RBI thanks to a recent 20-for-57 period with 10 RBI this month.

FREDERICK KEYS (15-16, 26-43 first half)

Closer Jim Hoey entered this week with 10 saves and a 0.75 ERA since being called up from Single-A Delmarva last month. He

DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS (11-20, 37-31 first Half)

Shortstop Blake Davis was batting .260 through his first 13 games, that includes a three-run homer – his first as a professional – in a 7-5 win Friday over Greensboro.

ABERDEEN IRONBIRDS (20-14)

Pitcher Jeffrey Moore was 4-0 with a 0.48 ERA with 27 strikeouts and two walks in 37.2 innings through Tuesday.

BLUEFIELD ORIOLES (16-18)

First baseman Paul Chmiel was batting .262 with six doubles and nine RBI through 18 games that includes a recent eight-game hit streak.