Sun staff writer Roch Kubatko analyzes the Orioles' top 15 prospects (in order of projected arrival to majors; stats through July 2)
Rocky Coppinger
Age: 24
Team: Triple-A Rochester
Position: Pitcher
Statistics: 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Upside: Coppinger won 10 games in the majors as a rookie, but suffered through an injury-filled 1997 season. His velocity has picked up, with his fastball clocked between 89-92 mph, and his slider and changeup have been sharp. Farm director Syd Thrift was impressed by Coppinger's command at Double-A Bowie, where he went 2-2 with a 4.35 ERA, 11 walks and 30 strikeouts in seven appearances. He threw seven shutout innings in his first start at Rochester, and there's a spot in the rotation waiting for him.
Needs improvement: Coppinger's attitude has been questioned since last season, and his weight remains a problem. Club officials still believe he's too heavy and don't want him back in the majors until he slims down.
Projected arrival: 1998
Danny Clyburn
Age: 24
Team: Triple-A Rochester
Position: Outfield
Statistics: .295, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs
Upside: Clyburn has tremendous power and is very athletic. He hit 83 homers in the previous four seasons and possesses 4.1-second speed from home to first. "He has all the tools," said a club official. He got a late start because of a fractured foot in spring training but is close to being back to form. His first three major-league at-bats came last year, after he hit .300 with 20 homers, 76 RBIs and 14 steals at Rochester. The club thought enough of him to protect him in the expansion draft.
Needs improvement: Clyburn looked very shaky in left field this spring. His arm has gotten better but it's not real strong.
Projected arrival: 1998
Julio Moreno
Age: 22
Team: Extended spring training
Position: Pitcher
Statistics: None
Upside: Moreno had enough poise last year to move up from Double-A Bowie and win two decisive games for Triple-A Rochester in the International League playoffs. He has good command and throws three quality pitches, the best a hard slider. "He has a feel for pitching," Thrift said. His intelligence on the mound belies his youth.
Needs improvement: Moreno was shut down in spring training because of weakness in his right shoulder, and again after throwing one inning in Sarasota, Fla., because of pain in his elbow. He's still rehabilitating and will have to make up for lost time. He was supposed to be starting at Rochester. A quiet demeanor doesn't always suit him well on the mound.
Projected arrival: September 1998 (if healthy)
Radhames Dykhoff
Age: 23
Team: Double-A Bowie
Position: Pitcher
Statistics: 2-2, 2.25 ERA
Upside: Dykhoff received a surprise promotion to the Orioles and stayed for 12 days, getting into one game. He's been noticed. The left-hander has been moved into the Baysox's rotation to get more innings. He had thrown 44 in relief, allowing 31 hits, walking 23 and striking out 54. Dykhoff has added about 5 mph to his fastball, reaching 90. He also throws an unusual four-seam sinker. The plan is to bump Dykhoff to Triple-A Rochester before he dons an Orioles uniform again.
Needs improvement: He'll have to adapt to being in the rotation after pitching almost exclusively in relief as a professional. He also needs to work on his off-speed stuff.
Projected arrival: 1999
Chris Fussell
Age: 22
Team: Double-A Bowie
Position: Pitcher
Statistics: 2-5, 3.92 ERA
Upside: Fussell has an above-average fastball and curve. He's pitched in tough luck this season, as his record indicates, but Orioles manager Ray Miller has mentioned Fussell as a possible call-up this year. Other members of the organization first would like to expose the right-hander to Triple-A competition. He was 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA in his first three starts at Bowie last year, then set a Baysox record with eight consecutive defeats before going to Single-A Frederick.
Needs improvement: One club official said Fussell needs to work on self-discipline, which comes with maturation. He has to keep focused.
Projected arrival: September 1999
Calvin Pickering
Age: 21
Team: Double-A Bowie
Position: First base
Statistics: .279, 11 HRs, 51 RBIs
Upside: Referred to by one club official as the best hitting prospect in the organization. A plus-hitter with plus-power. He hit 43 homers the previous two seasons. He was dominant at lower Single-A Delmarva last year and has adapted well to the jump to the highly competitive Eastern League. Though known for his tape-measure home runs, Pickering impressed Miller in spring training with his ability to take a pitch the other way. He is surprisingly agile for his size. His future here depends largely on whether the club re-signs Rafael Palmeiro.
Needs improvement: With 15 errors this season and 27 last year, Pickering won't win any Gold Gloves, especially until he improves his throwing. He also must keep his weight down. A three-week stay at Duke's Diet and Fitness Center showed he's taking the matter seriously.
Projected arrival: September 1999
Ryan Minor
Age: 24
Team: Double-A Bowie
Position: Third base
Statistics: .255, 11 HRs, 35 RBIs
Upside: Minor is regarded as the heir apparent to Cal Ripken, a prototypical third baseman with legitimate power. He had early trouble adjusting to Double-A pitching after being named the club's Minor League Player of the Year at Delmarva, but has become more comfortable. He's an impressive physical specimen at 6 feet 7, 225 pounds, with a long wingspan. "He has unusual agility for his size," Thrift said. He also is more mature than most players at this level. A former All-American basketball player at Oklahoma, Minor opened a lot of eyes in spring training with his hitting, reactions at third and strong arm.
Needs improvement: Minor has to become more disciplined at the plate and use the whole field. That should come with experience. He's still learning the game.
Projected arrival: September 1999
Eugene Kingsale
Age: 21
Team: Double-A Bowie
Position: Center field
Statistics: .259, 0 HRs, 27 RBIs
Upside: It's all in his feet. Kingsale, who was with the Orioles for three games in 1996, has been timed at 6.25 in the 60-yard dash. "He's one of the fastest players in all of baseball," Thrift said. He's tall (6-3) and rangy with a long stride. He's also a switch-hitter who's gotten stronger through an exercise program. Kingsale has four triples and 16 steals in 73 games.
Needs improvement: Kingsale must become more durable and develop physically. He's battled injuries most of his professional career. He has to make better contact if he's going to bat leadoff. He's only an average fielder and has never homered as a professional.
Projected arrival: September 1999
Jerry Hairston
Age: 22
Team: Single-A Frederick
Positions: Second base/shortstop
Statistics: .294, 5 HRs, 30 RBIs
Upside: Hairston can play three infield positions. He recently switched to second base for an upcoming move to Bowie, and has the potential to advance faster than anyone else at that position. He has a keen awareness of everything that's going on around him. He's a line-drive hitter who uses the whole field, and is an excellent base runner. Few in the organization have made greater strides. Hairston grew up in a baseball environment: his father, uncle and grandfather all played in the majors. "He'll be in the major leagues -- here," said one club official.
Needs improvement: Hairston must learn all the nuances of a new position.
Projected arrival: September 1999
Ivanon Coffie
Age: 21
Team: Single-A Frederick
Positions: Shortstop/third base
Statistics: .275, 11 HRs, 50 RBIs
Upside: Coffie is a graceful, left-handed hitter who should be able to produce 15-20 home runs in the majors. Born in Curacao, Netherland Antilles, Coffie has been keeping pitchers awake at night. One official said Coffie has the tools to become "a very good hitter." He can run, and has sure hands and an accurate arm.
Needs improvement: Coffie needs more experience, and he's still developing physically.
Projected arrival: 2000
Matt Riley
Age: 18
Team: Single-A Delmarva
Position: Pitcher
Statistics: 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Upside: A third-round pick last year who signed late, Riley has been worth the wait. The left-hander has dominated South Atlantic League hitters. His fastball has been clocked between 92-94 mph, with good movement, and he's been putting away batters with an overhand, four-seam curveball that explodes. Riley threw his first changeup in his most recent start. He's allowed only 11 hits, walked eight and struck out 38 in 24 innings. "It's amazing what he can do," said a club official. "He'll be a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the majors." Miller saw Riley throwing in the Orioles bullpen and said, "That's what a prospect is supposed to look like." He's also got a good move to first base.
Needs improvement: Riley is having some difficulty throwing to the bases. He committed two errors in his last start. He's also working on changing speeds more effectively.
Projected arrival: 2000
Chip Alley
Age: 21
Team: Single-A Frederick
Position: Catcher
Statistics: .260, 7 HRs, 32 RBIs
Upside: A second-round pick in 1995, Alley has a tremendous throwing arm and has progressed nicely as a hitter. He's showing power that didn't exist last season, when he batted .236 with three homers at Delmarva. He picked up some valuable experience as a spring training invitee. Though Jayson Werth receives more attention, Thrift expects Alley to beat him to the majors.
Needs improvement: Alley tends to get careless behind the plate. He needs to stay focused and work on blocking pitches in the dirt.
Projected arrival: 2000
Jayson Werth
Age: 19
Team: Single-A Delmarva
Position: Catcher
Statistics: .273, 4 HRs, 33 RBIs
Upside: One of last year's first-round picks, Werth is an outstanding athlete who is breaking the mold for catchers at feet 6. He has good hands and a quick release, and blocks pitches well. He's also stolen 17 bases in 21 attempts, another facet of his game the organization loves. And Thrift is convinced he'll continue to improve as a hitter. He already uses the whole field.
Needs improvement: It must be remembered that Werth still isn't far removed from high school and needs to refine his approach at the plate. He also must continue to develop physically. Listed at 190 pounds, he'll need to fill out to withstand the punishment.
Projected arrival: 2001
Carlos Casimiro
Age: 21
Team: Single-A Frederick
Positions: Second base/shortstop
Statistics: .248, 9 HRs, 34 RBIs
Upside: Casimiro moved to shortstop but will return to second base after Hairston departs. He also can play third base, all above-average. He has a good arm and soft hands. He also possesses surprising power at the plate.
Needs improvement: Casimiro needs to work on hitting the breaking ball and would benefit from being more patient.
Projected arrival: 2001
Age: 19
Team: Single-A Delmarva
Position: Outfield
Statistics: .275, 4 HRs, 29 RBIs
Upside: One of the club's first-round selections last year, McDonald has excellent physical skills for a player so young. "He has all the tools," said a club official. He can run and throw, and has what Thrift referred to as "latent power" despite being only 5-11. He's playing left field at Delmarva but could make the switch to center. He's 20-for-28 in stolen bases.
Needs improvement: McDonald is adjusting to the switch from aluminum bats. Due to his late signing, this is McDonald's first pro season. He just needs time.
Projected arrival: 2002
Pub Date: 7/06/98