Six Shorebirds Headed to Arizona Fall League

Salisbury, MD - Six former Delmarva Shorebirds will compete in the prestigious Arizona Fall League this year, which begins on October 8. The six former Shorebirds are Eduardo Rodriguez, Jason Gurka, Branden Kline, Tim Berry, Michael Ohlman and Jonathan Schoop. All six former Shorebirds and eight total Orioles minor leaguers will play for the Surprise Saguaros. The team will be managed by former Shorebirds skipper Gary Kendall.

Rodriguez, 20, had a breakout season in 2013. He went 10-7 with a 3.41 ERA in 25 starts between Frederick (Advanced-A) and Bowie (Double-A). Rodriguez represented the Orioles and Venezuela in the MLB Futures Game. In 2012, he went 5-7 with a 3.70 ERA for the Shorebirds.

Gurka, 25, made 20 relief appearances in 2013 for the Bowie BaySox. He posted a 2-2 mark with a strong 2.95 ERA. Gurka made 13 relief appearances for the Shorebirds in 2011 and went 2-0 with a 2.52 ERA before earning a promotion to Frederick.

Kline, 22, began the 2013 season in the Shorebirds starting rotation before suffering a season ending ankle injury. He made seven starts for the Shorebirds and went 1-2 with a 5.86 ERA.

Berry, 22, had a strong season in 2013 for the Frederick Keys. In 27 starts, he went 11-7 with a 3.85 ERA. Berry led all Orioles minor leaguers with 11 wins. He also ranked fifth in strikeouts (119). Berry pitched for the Shorebirds in 2011 and part of 2012. In 2011, he went 3-7 with a 5.12 ERA while in 2012 he posted a 2-7 mark with a 5.02 ERA. 

Ohlman, 22, had his best season in the Orioles system in 2013. He batted .313 for the Frederick Keys with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs. He was named to the Carolina League Post-Season All Star Team. Ohlman finished second amongst Orioles minor leaguers in batting average (.313), first in on-base percentage (.410) and first in slugging percentage (.524). Ohlman played for the Shorebirds during parts of three seasons (2010-2012). In 2012, he batted .304 in 51 games for the Shorebirds.

Schoop, 21, made his major league debut this season on September 25 and went 2-for-3 with his first MLB home run. Schoop went 4-for-14 in five MLB games for the Orioles down the stretch. In 70 games for the Norfolk Tides, he batted .256. Schoop played for the Shorebirds in 2011 and batted .316 in 51 games. 

The other two Orioles minor leaguers that will play in the fall league are Henry Urrutia and Daniel Alvarez. 

For more information about the Arizona Fall League, click here.

Shorebirds season ticket packages are on sale for the 2014 season. For more information, call 410-219-3112.