Orioles Minor League Player of the Week: Jason Esposito
While there were plenty of standout minor league players in the Baltimore Orioles organization this past week, Jason Esposito of the Frederick Keys was outstanding. The third baseman went 10 for 26 (.385), with 6 runs, 1 double, 4 HRs, 6 RBIs, and 1 SB in the seven games of the week for Frederick.
The 24-year-old Esposito was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft out of Vanderbilt University. The Connecticut native was also drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 draft by the Kansas City Royals; however, Esposito elected to go to college instead of signing with the Royals.
Although Esposito has struggled at the plate since being signed by Baltimore (he hit .209 and .222 during his first two full seasons in the minors), the third baseman will be looking for his solid performance last week to boost his confidence at the plate, and help springboard his second half of the season with Frederick.
So far this season with the Keys, Esposito is hitting .259, with 35 runs, 7 HRs, and 33 RBIs in 93 games with the single-A affiliate of the Orioles.
Other Orioles minor league players that enjoyed a good week include:
Shorebirds
Anthony Caronia – 8 for 11 (.727), 3 runs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 1 SB; Chance Sisco – 8 for 19 (.421), 4 runs; Drew Dosch – 12 for 24 (.500), 3 runs, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 SB; Luis Gonzalez – 6 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 0 walks, 8 K’s; David Richardson – 4 1/3 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 1 walk, 6 K’s; and Alex Santana – 4 2/3, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 walks, 6 K’s.
Keys
Wynston Sawyer – 7 for 18 (.389), 2 runs, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs; Mark Blackmar – 12 2/3 IP, 9 hits, 3 ER, 6 walks, 6 K’s, 1 win; Brady Wager – 6 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 1 walk, 4 K’s, 1 win; Dennis Torres – 4 2/3 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 0 walks, 0 K’s, 1 save; and Dylan Bundy – 6 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 2 walks, 1 K, 1 win.
Baysox
Glynn Davis – 9 for 18 (.500), 2 runs, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, 1 SB; Mike Yastrzemski – 9 for 28 (.321), 4 runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 RBI; Ronald Bermudez – 6 for 18 (.333), 1 run, 1 double, 1 HR, 1 RBI; Garabez Rosa – 6 for 18 (.333), 2 runs, 1 double, 2 RBIs; Anthony Vasquez – 6 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, 2 walks, 5 K’s, 1 win; Zach Davies – 7 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 1 walk, 7 K’s, 1 win; and Steven Hensley – 5 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 4 walks, 5 K’s, 1 save.
Tides
Jimmy Paredes – 5 for 12 (.417), 2 runs, 1 double, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 SB; Julio Borbon – 12 for 31 (.387), 5 runs, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 4 SBs; Ivan De Jesus – 8 for 23 (.348), 5 runs, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 8 RBIs; Quintin Berry – 6 for 20 (.300), 6 runs, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 SB; Steve Lombardozzi – 6 for 12 (.500), 3 runs, 1 double, 3 RBIs; Mike Wright – 7 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, 0 walks, 6 K’s, 1 win; Nick Additon – 10 1/3 IP, 8 hits, 2 ER, 1 walk, 8 K’s, 1 win; Brock Huntzinger – 5 2/3 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0 walks, 5 K’s; and Evan Meek – 3 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 1 walk, 2 K’s, 3 saves.
