Prospect Preview: Bowie Baysox

The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the hottest teams in baseball since the beginning of last season, and it has a lot to do with their homegrown talent. Several players expected to reach Baltimore in the next few seasons are currently playing with the Bowie Baysox, especially on the pitching staff. The Baysox are coming to Manchester August 6-8

• LHP Eduardo Rodriguez was a skinny finesse pitcher when he was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2011 out of Venezuela, but he's built himself into a power pitcher at the young age of 20. He's ranked as Baltimore's third best prospect, behind two other very young and talented arms.
• RHP Mike Wright has a dominant fastball and decent enough secondary pitches to become a middle of the rotation starter, though he is expected to be used as a reliever when he first hits the big league stage. At 6'6" he serves as a very intimidating mound presence. The righty earned a win against the Fisher Cats on Thursday by throwing seven strong innings.
• C Caleb Joseph is the reigning Home Run Derby champion, winning it at this year's Eastern League All-Star Game, and is among the league leaders in home runs and runs batted in. This is the 27-year-olds fourth straight year with Bowie due to being blocked by perennial All-Star Matt Wieters, and he has seen ample time in the outfield this year because of that.
• 1B Christian Walker is in just his second professional season, but has already become the second Orioles 2012 draftee to reach Double-A. The South Carolina Gamecock (and teammate of former Fisher Cat Sam Dyson) was drafted in the fourth round last year, and began this season in Class A Delmarva. Power is his calling card.