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Frederick Keys

Six Former Keys In Orioles Top Prospect List

November 6, 2008 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Frederick, MD - Six former Frederick Keys dotted the listing of the Baltimore Orioles top-ten prospects in Baseball America's annual listing released Wednesday afternoon. C Matt Wieters (#1), RHP Jake Arrieta (#4), OF Nolan Reimold (#5), RHP Brandon Erbe (#6), 3B Billy Rowell (#7) and 1B Brandon Snyder (#9) made the list. The Orioles most recent first round pick, and possible future Frederick Key, Brian Matusz ranked third on the list.

Wieters (2008) was the first Orioles farmhand awarded Baseball America Player of the Year after a dynamic professional debut that began with a multi-home run showing on opening night. Wieters would head to Double-A Bowie after batting .345 with 15 home runs in 67 games with the Keys.

Arrieta (2008) also had a spectacular professional debut in Frederick, earning Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, going 6-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 20 starts. Arrieta's summer was a progression of accomplishments as he started the Carolina/California League All Star Game, pitched in the Future's Game at Yankees Stadium, earned a spot on Team USA for the Olympic Games and medaled, bringing home the bronze.

Reimold (2005-06) had a resurgent year showing incredible power to boost Double-A Bowie to their first playoff run in over a decade. Reimold quickly ascended to Frederick in his career after being drafted in 2005. He was part of the Keys run to the 2005 championship, starting in right field after Nick Markakis received a promotion to Double-A. He started the 2006 season in Frederick, winning Carolina League MVP at the All-Star Game in Salem, Va. Injuries beset him but Reimold stayed healthy in 2008, belting 25 home runs for the Baysox.

Erbe (2007-08) became the all-time Keys franchise leader in starts in 2008 as the Owings Mills, MD product spent his second full season as a starter with the Keys. Still a month away from his 21st birthday, Erbe improved mightily in 2008, becoming the fifth pitcher in Keys history to start a no-hitter, August 5th against Salem. In 2008, Erbe led the Carolina League in strikeouts with 151 and batters hit a paltry .216 against the right-hander.

Rowell (2008) could be headed for a return to Frederick in 2009 after the former first round pick had an unsteady season as a teenager in 2008. Rowell rallied late to bat .248 in a season that began with an ankle injury in his first at-bat of the season. At age 20 he could be back in the Carolina League, trying to drive his average and power numbers skyward.

Snyder (2008) proved what he can do when healthy, being the Keys dominant force in the second half of the 2008 season. He finished second in the league in batting (.315) progressively hitting better in each month throughout the season. His 80 RBI's led the team and he was invited to the prestigious Arizona Fall League where he has flourished. An Orioles fan as a youngster, Snyder was selected 13th overall in the 2005 draft out of high school in Northern Virginia.

Opening Night for the 2009 season at Harry Grove Stadium is Friday, April 17th at 7:00 p.m. against the Salem Avalanche. Season ticket plans are available now by contacting the Keys at 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or online at frederickkeys.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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