Farm System Rankings: #26 Baltimore Orioles

From 2001 until 2011, the Baltimore Orioles had 80 of the 163 players examined (49.08%) play at least one game at the Major League level. The Orioles saw 74 players (92.50%) play for them while the other 6 spent time with one of the other thirty MLB clubs.

2001-2011 Orioles Farm System Rank

At The Helm

General Manager Andy MacPhail

The Orioles had four General Managers (Sid Thrift 2001-2002, Jim Beattie/Jim Flanagan 2003-2005, Mike Flanagan 2006-2008, Andy MacPhail 2009-2011), three Farm Directors (Don Buford 2001-2002, Doc Rodgers 2003-2004, David Stockstill 2005-2011), and two Scouting Directors (Tony DeMacio 2001-2004, Joe Jordan 2005-2011) over the eleven year time period examined.

Five Hits

1.  Brian Roberts, 2B: The two-time All-star has played in 1233 games over eleven seasons with the Orioles in his career. His career batting average sits at .281 with 84 HR and 477 RBI. Drafted by the Orioles in the Supplemental 1^st round (50^th overall) of the 1999 amateur draft. 
2.  Nick Markakis, OF: The 27 year old has spent six seasons with the Orioles playing in 906 games. His career batting average is .296 with 102 HR and 479 RBI. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st round (7^th overall) of the 2003 amateur draft. 
3. Matt Wieters, C: A member of the 2011 All-Star game, Wieters has played in 332 games over his three seasons with the Orioles. His career batting average is .262 with 32 HR and 138 RBI. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st round (5^th overall) of the 2007 amateur draft.
4. Brian Matusz, LHP: The 24 year old has a career record of 16-19 with a 4.92 ERA over 47 starts in his three seasons with the Orioles. If he can stay healthy the future should be a bright one. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st round (4^th overall) of the 2008 amateur draft.
5.  Nolan Reimold, OF: The 27 year old has a career batting average of .250 with 25 HR and 79 RBI over his three year career in the majors. Drafted by the Orioles in the 2^nd round of the 2005 amateur draft.  

Five Misses

1. Richard Stahl, LHP: The now 30 year old last pitched in 2006 with Chattanooga (Southern) in the Reds organization. During his seven seasons in the minors he compiled a record of 27-39 with a 4.23 ERA. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st round (18^th overall) of the 1999 amateur draft.
2. Keith Reed, OF: The top Orioles prospect entering the 2001 season appeared in 6 games as a 26 year old back in 2005 where he was 1 for 5 with 1 RBI it what turned out to be his only time in the majors. Reed last played in independent ball in 2008 with Newark (Atlantic). Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st round (23^rd overall) of the 1999 amateur draft.
3. Tripper Johnson, 3B: The 29 year old is currently an agent with Sonick Cobbe Sports. He spent eight seasons in the minor leagues where he hit .266 with 69 HR and 415 RBI. Played college football at the University of Washington as a defensive back for two seasons following his baseball career. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st supplemental round (32^nd overall) of the 2000 amateur draft.
4. Ntema Ndungidi, OF: The now 32 year old last played in independent ball in 2003 with Quebec (Northeast). In his seven year minor league career he hit .240 with 33 HR, 219 RBI, and 62 stolen bases. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st supplemental round (36^th overall) of the 1997 amateur draft.
5. Bryan Bass, SS: The now 29 year old last played in independent ball in 2009 with Tucson (Golden). In his eight year minor league career he hit .228 with 51 HR, 306 RBI, and 94 stolen bases. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st supplemental round (31^st overall) of the 2001 amateur draft. 

Five Current Major Leaguers on Other Teams

1. Erik Bedard, LHP, Boston Red Sox: The 32 year old has spent eight season in the majors as a member of the Orioles, Mariners, and Red Sox. His career record is 55-49 with a 3.68 ERA. Traded by the Orioles to the Mariners in exchange for five players (most notably centerfielder Adam Jones) in February 2008. Drafted by the Orioles in the 6^th round of the 1999 amateur draft.
2. Willie Harris, OF, New York Mets: The 33 year old has spent eleven seasons in the majors as a member of the Orioles, White Sox, Red Sox, Braves, Nationals, and Mets. His career batting average is .240 with 38 HR, 202 RBI, and 105 stolen bases. Traded by the Orioles to the White Sox in January 2002 in exchange for Chris Singleton (OF). Drafted by the Orioles in the 24^th round of the 1999 amateur draft. 
3. Darnell McDonald, OF, Boston Red Sox: The 32 year old has spent five seasons in the majors as a member of the Orioles, Twins, Reds, and Red Sox. His career batting average is .242 with 15 HR and 60 RBI. Drafted by the Orioles in the 1^st round (26^th overall) of the 1997 amateur draft.
4. Eli Whiteside, C, San Francisco Giants: The 31 year old has spent four seasons in the majors as a member of the Orioles and Giants. His career batting average is .229 with 10 HR and 40 RBI. Drafted by the Orioles in the 6^th round of the 2001 amateur draft.
5. Jacob Turner, 2B, New York Mets: The 26 year old has spent three seasons in the majors as a member of the Orioles and Mets. His career batting average is .248 with 4 HR and 45 RBI. He was claimed off waivers by the Mets in May 2010. Drafted by the Reds in the 7^th round of the 2006 amateur draft. Acquired by the Orioles in December 2008 along with Brandon Waring (3B) and Ryan Freel (OF) in exchange for Ramon Hernandez (C).  

Fun Fact

The Orioles last won the World Series in 1983 when they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. In 1983 then 23 year old Cal Ripken Jr. won the American League MVP after hitting .318 with 27 HR and 102 RBI.