3 replies to this topic

[Greg Pappas]

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Tom Winegardner was not selected by any team in the 2011 draft but the Orioles signed him as middle infielder after the draft and he went to the Gulf Coast League and Aberdeen and combined to hit .188 in 45 games.
This year the 22-year-old Winegardner was batting .174 in 28 games with Single-A Delmarva and .207 in eight games at Aberdeen. It was pretty clear that he was going to have a hard time making it as an infielder with such a low batting average.

But the Orioles knew Winegardner had pitched in college and at Riverdale Baptist High in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He always had a strong arm and now that arm is being used on the mound at Aberdeen. After he had thrown a few bullpens, Winegardner took the mound on July 22 against Hudson Valley, a Tampa Bay Rays farm club. He went through the top of their order, getting out some good prospects, two on strikeouts. The next night he got a save against Brooklyn.

Over his first five innings as a pitcher with Aberdeen, he gave up no runs on just two hits, walked one with six strikeouts. He showed a fastball that was between 90 and 94 mph.
He was finally scored on when he gave up two runs (one earned) in 2/3 of an inning on Wednesday. But over five games, Winegardner is now 2-1 with one save and a 1.59 ERA.

Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson said the early returns on Winegardner are quite good.
"Just rave reviews," Peterson said. "Not only about his stuff, but his competitive intelligence as a pitcher. He's not just getting an inning or two here and there, but he's closing out games. We're looking at him as a potential pitcher.
"The plan is to bring him to instructional league (starting September 12) and see where we are and also to get his feedback on what he feels about this.

"Alan Mills (the Aberdeen pitching coach) has given him rave reviews and has talked very highly of the makings of his secondary stuff as well. He's competing and he's coming in and pitching exceptionally well and closing out games. For him to perform like that is impressive," Peterson said.

[Mackus]

The Alan Mills?

How did I not know he was Aberdeen's PC? That's awesome!

[BobPhelan]

Wow. I was wondering what was going on seeing his name in the box score as a pitcher. Pretty cool story if he becomes a relief prospect.

[BobPhelan]

With one game to go Winegardner went 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA over 20 innings with 10 saves, 21 strikeouts, and 4 walks.

Without a doubt the biggest surprise of the season.