Here is a quick look at the  Orioles’ minor league prospects. As expected, there are some who are  performing up to par. There are some who are doing better than expected,  and others who are struggling and disappointing.

As I have stated before and as I’ve done I will continue to keep you updated on the O’s minor leagues. Perhaps in May and at the All-Star Break, I’ll blog an updated analysis of the prospects, with input from scouts and coaches.

AAA Mike Costanzo - Finally hit his 2nd homer last night… but overall struggling to hit .200.

AA Kam Mickolio- The big 6 foot 9 inch relief pitcher has been very sharp thus far for Bowie… on Tuesday he went 2 and 2/3’s, 0 ER, 2 k’s, 0 BB… His season ERA is 2.38.

AA Nolan Reimold- Probably the biggest dissapointment so far this season… he is hitting just .197.

AA Chris Tillman- Yesterday went 5 inn., 4h, 2 ER, 5 K’s… this season has a 3.31 ERA.

A+ Brandon Erbe- It looks like he has turned the corner. In his last start he pitched a complete 7 inning game (double header rules) … and he allowed just 3 hits. Most impresive for him this season… in 23 and 2/3 innings… just 3 walks and 21 K’s… with a .191 BAA.

A+ Billy Rowell- off the DL and drove in 2 last night.

Danica Patrick won a race this weekend.  She beat all the boys on an even playing field.  She faced the same rules and regulations.  No ladies tees here.  She beat the odds.

Why should I care???  Well, I don’t.  I don’t care at all.  Before the feminists show up at ESPN Radio in Baltimore with sticks, bats and balls of fire … chill … the reason I don’t care is not because she is a woman.  It’s because it’s FREAKIN’ AUTO RACING!!!!!!!!  No one cares … and no one should.  It’s auto racing.  So she is a better driver than the men.  So what?  My mom has only been in one accident, I have been in three.  My mom is a better driver than me … do you care?  I didn’t think so.

Now if she would have pulled off her shirt, a-la, Brandi Chastain from the women’s USA soccer … then I would care!!!  We all would! 

p.s.  Yes, that was sexist! It’s also a joke … once again … chill!

It was a great weekend for the O’s! Any time you take a series from the Yankees, it is a good thing. But here comes the grind. The Orioles are on their way to Seattle today; tomorrow they’ll begin a 7 game road trip. In fact, the O’s are on the road for 17 of their next 20 games, including two separate trips to the West Coast. Very rare.

So… is this when reality will bite the Birds? We will see… my hope is the O’s survive this roady.

Matt Wieters’ update… he leads the Carolina League in batting average, OPB, slugging, and OPS by 200 points over the next guy….

Keep tuned  to ESPN Radio 1300 and ESPN1300.com for the best Ravens Draft coverage.

Quick Hits…

One of the Orioles’ top prospects, Bill Rowell, was put on the DL yesterday. Many people with whom I spoke expect him to be back soon.

The White Sox starting pitcher tomorrow night is young Gavin Floyd. Floyd is from Bmore; he’s a Mt. St. Joe’s grad, and was a top 5 pick for the Phillies in 2001. He dominated the minors, and had a few opportunities in the bigs in recent years, and struggled. Now it looks like he has finally put it together in 2008. He is 2-0 with an ERA in the low 2’s… and in his last start he nearly pitched a no hitter.

Floyd and Mark Teixeira are the only two ahtletes from the same high school to be taken in the top 5 of a major sports draft… it was the MLB 2001 draft. Very cool… it is a nice Bawlmer stat.

Floyd was on with Anita Marks during her show today…. I am going to try and track him down at the end of the game….

I hope everyone has been enjoying my 1st week of live reports from the Yard.  Today was my last time for this current homestand. I will be back at ESPN 1300 world headquarters Thursday and Friday….

The Ravens 2008 schedule came out … OUCH!  Have you seen this thing???? I mean the whole AFC North has some of the toughest schedules in the entire league, but for a team that went 5-11 last year and has made no significant improvements this offseason, they have a lot of work ahead of them.

My initial reaction is that the Ravens could go 4-0 in the pre-season and still not win 10 games next year!  Eight games against teams that made the playoffs last year (two with the Steelers) and 11 games against teams with a better than .500 record.  Plus two primetime games, both on the road, for a team that typically doesn’t flourish in that spotlight.

Where does John Harbaugh and this staff start??  How about the most critical draft in the history of this franchise!  The Ravens are at a crossroad … a good draft and two or three “gold mines” puts this team back on track.  A bad draft and no QB for the future will make this team the Arizona Cardinals quicker than anyone would have thought.

Nick Markakis is going to have to remain patient this season. With this lineup he is just not going to see many balls that he can drive. Nick is so advanced for his age… great eye, his ability to hit it hard where ever it’s pitched. He walked 4 times yesterday… and that is the way it is going to be this year. Nick is a legit star, but his power numbers may go down this year because of a lack of protection in the lineup.

The Masters is a sporting event that I have never attended, but I  would love to do so. I have a great friend who is going tonight to Augusta and I am quite jealous… Have fun Moles….

With a win tomorrow, the  Baltimore Blast  will advance to the MISL semi-finals.

Great College Lacrosse action tomorrow in town. I will be attending the Maryland - JHU game at Homewood Field. It is a big game for the Terps, but  it is a MUST win for the Jays. It’s the 104th meeting of these schools.

Have a great weekend…. Cheers.

After over a week of play, I am so happy the game I love the most is back!  Here are just a few things that make the greatest game even better.

In no particular order …

1. Smooth double-plays … you have to love the way the ball is whipped around the diamond almost effortlessly.

2. Diving catches in the outfield … c’mon, it’s just awesome!

3. Hot dogs!  Since when did meshed up pig remains become so appropriately tasty???

4. Home runs … chicks dig the long ball!

5. Fans going after foul balls — I mean, it is really the only time a grown man can out-run a kid and take something the kid wants and get away with it … even if it is mean!

6. Student ticket night … if you take it with a grain of salt, some of the drunk college kids say some funny damn things!

7. Bleacher seats … where the rowdiness begins and never ends!

8. God Bless America at the 7th inning stretch at Yankee Stadium … for this soldier/war veteran, I enjoy it when homage is paid to my fellow brethen.  Every team should do it every game.

9. Getting out of the gate fast … who cares if it’s only a week??  Speculating about an O’s-Royals ALCS would be awesome!

10. Winning!  Doesn’t it seem like every game matters?

Tony Butler (DEL) - Came over in the Bedard trade, last night went 5 inn, 3 hits, 3 ER, 3 K’s, 0 BB.

Matt Wieters (FRED) - Last night he went 2-3 with 2 RBIs. He is third in the Carolina League in hits, 1st in HRs, and 1st in RBIs.

Nolan Reimold (BOW) - Struggling mightily early… went 0-3… he is hitting .167 so far.

Mike Costanzo (NOR) - Took a 1-4 last night… he is batting .227 this season.

Hayden Penn (NOR) - In two starts this season he has a 9 ERA.

Cherish the good times…After all that has happened here during the last 10 seasons, we must must relish the good times. I would love for the O’s to split this current 6 game road trip. But, given the way they are playing, perhaps  I should aim higher.

One season has little to do with another… at least that’s what Dave Trembley have been preaching. More to the point… that is what Dave Piertramala is saying. The defending National Champs in lacrosse were ranked 1st in the nation just a month ago and now the Blue Jays’ season is literally on the brink….they have a huge game this Saturday with their rival,  the Terps. Boy is that a big one for both teams.

THE NHL PLAYOFFS BEGIN TOMORROW … THEY MIGHT BE MORE EXCITING THAN SEX!!!!

For those of you who follow hockey, you know this to be true.  For those of you who don’t, start watching it … and then get a new girlfriend!!!!!