Orioles Invite 12 To Spring Training
Published on January 20, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
The Orioles today announced that they have signed and invited 12 non-roster players to their major league spring training camp.
Pitchers invited to camp include: LHPs CHRIS GEORGE and MIKE HINCKLEY and RHPs JAKE ARRIETA, FRANK MATA, JOSH PERRAULT, ALFREDO SIMON and ROSS WOLF. Catchers invited include MICHEL HERNANDEZ, CALEB JOSEPH and CHAD MOELLER. OF JEFF SALAZAR and INF SCOTT MOORE are the lone position players.
Of the pitchers invited, four have major league experience. George, with 12 years of pro experience, is 14-20 with a 6.48 ERA in the majors from 2001-2004 with Kansas City. He split 2009 between Triple-A Pawtucket (Boston), the Mexican League and Triple-A Norfolk. Hinckley, entering his 10th professional season, owns a 1.93 ERA in 28 major league games, coming in 2008 and 2009 with Washington. He was originally selected by the Montreal Expos in the 3rd round of the 2001 draft. Simon entered 2009 in the Orioles' starting rotation, but left his second start, April 14 at Texas, with right elbow discomfort. He had "Tommy John" surgery on May 5 and missed the rest of the season.
Arrieta receives his second consecutive invite after going a combined 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA in time with Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk in 2009. He is the Orioles' #4 prospect according to Baseball America. Wolf receives his second consecutive invite after going 4-2 with a 3.95 ERA in 47 games with Triple-A Norfolk in 2009. He appeared in 14 games for the Florida Marlins in 2007. Mata, an eight-year minor league veteran, has spent his entire career in the Minnesota system and went 2-5 with a 3.78 ERA in Double-A in 2009. Perrault is entering his eighth pro season and was an Eastern League All-Star in 2009 for Bowie, leading the club with 16 saves and pitching to a 1.80 ERA. He ended the season with Triple-A Norfolk, pitching to a 2.53 ERA in 24 games with the Tides.
Hernandez (45 total games with the New York Yankees (2003) and Tampa Bay Rays (2008-09)) and Moeller (492 games for seven teams) have major league experience. Moeller split last season with the Orioles (two stints), batting.258 in 30 games, and Norfolk, batting.203 in 35 games with the Tides. Joseph was a Carolina League All-Star with Frederick in 2009, batting.284 with 12 HR and 60 RBI in 104 games and was the recipient of the Elrod Hendricks Minor League Community Service Award.
Salazar, entering his ninth professional season, is a career.232 hitter in 168 major league games with the Colorado Rockies (2006), Arizona Diamondbacks (2007-'08) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2009). He spent the bulk of 2009 with Triple-A Indianapolis, batting.270 with 10 home runs in 84 games. Moore receives his second consecutive invite to camp and will be in his third consecutive major league spring training with the Orioles (was on the 40-man roster in 2008). He batted.252 in 32 games with Triple-A Norfolk in 2009.
Orioles pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout in Sarasota on February 18, and the first full squad workout will take place February 23. The Orioles will open the 2010 Grapefruit League schedule at Ed Smith Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 3 at 1:05 p.m.
O's minor league pitchers will hold their first workout in Sarasota on Tuesday, March 2. The first minor league full squad workout will take place on Saturday, March 6. Minor league games begin Wednesday, March 17.
International League Stories from January 20, 2010
- IronPigs Reveal Preliminary 2010 Promotions - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Orioles Invite 12 To Spring Training - Norfolk Tides
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