Scouts Jim Howard and Dave Engle seem safe with Orioles

Scouts Jim Howard and Dave Engle seem safe with Orioles
The massive shakeup in the Orioles' scouting department hasn't bounced Jim Howard and Dave Engle from the organization. Howard and Engle, serving as major league scouts, are expected to remain with the Orioles. Meanwhile, personnel in the department who no longer will be employed by the club next season include director of professional scouting and special projects Patrick Di Gregory, special assistant Matt Haas, major league scout John Stockstill, professional scout Ron Schueler, East Coast...

Week in review: Looking back and also ahead with a few questions

Week in review: Looking back and also ahead with a few questions
The last week of stories in this space featured a look back at a pretty great trade for the Orioles, a look at a prediction for the opening day 25-man roster and a look at improved outfield depth on the farm. I really enjoyed writing this blog entry on Monday. In an interview with long-time Orioles scout Jim Howard, we got some insight into the 2008 trade of left-hander Erik Bedard to Seattle. It brought five players to Baltimore, including current O's outfielder Adam Jones and pitcher Chris...

The backstory on one of the greatest moves in Orioles history

The backstory on one of the greatest moves in Orioles history
The Orioles may be coming off a season where their poor pitching contributed heavily to a last-place finish, but over the course of the club's history, they've had plenty of quality pitchers. This history includes a Hall of Famer in Jim Palmer and four pitchers that have won Cy Young Awards. Palmer won three (1973, '75, '76) and other winners included Mike Flanagan (1979) Steve Stone (1980) and Mike Cuellar, who shared the 1969 award with Denny McLain. This history includes four 20-game...

A scout's tale: Jim Howard is a longtime Oriole

A scout's tale: Jim Howard is a longtime Oriole
In December, we began a new series in this space. We are introducing you to some Orioles scouts before the new season begins. Some fans may not even know their names. Hopefully, after reading this and upcoming posts, you'll know a lot more than that. So on we go ... When the Orioles ended a 14-year run of losing seasons and returned to the playoffs in 2012, it was huge for the organization. So many players, manager Buck Showalter and his coaches, scouts and front office members helped the team...

Hoes, Bundy win Orioles minor league awards

Hoes, Bundy win Orioles minor league awards
As expected, the Orioles have named outfielder LJ Hoes as their minor league Player of the Year and Dylan Bundy as their minor league Pitcher of the Year. The winners will be honored before tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Hoes will receive the Brooks Robinson Award after batting a combined .287 with five home runs and 54 RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie. He also had a .372 on-base percentage, 20 stolen bases and 79 runs scored - the latter stat...