From the MASN site
Steve Melewski

Eight O's farmhands have reported to the Arizona Fall League's Phoenix Desert Dogs. The games in the AFL begin this Tuesday.

The O's on the team include pitchers Brandon Erbe, Ryohei Tanaka, Eddie Gamboa and Josh Perrault along with position players Brandon Snyder, Josh Bell, Matt Angle and Brandon Waring.

Waring, the O's minor league player of the year for 2009, is a taxi squad player and can only play in games on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

"We want to see them improve and carry it on to the next level," Stockstill said. "Erbe missed some time this year, we want to get him some extra work. Tanaka who reported late, we want to get him some extra innings vs. different competition. Perrault who was outstanding, we want to get him more innings and more experience for the future. Gamboa, who was with Frederick and Bowie, we want to continue to see him against better players.

"The hitters will get to see pitchers they didn't see last year. Different pitches, different quality pitches.

"It's hard to say the AFL is equivalent to A, AA or AAA ball, you see a variation of intensity from the players themselves. But at times you see very good baseball."

To me this is as interesting as the MLB Playoffs.

The Desert Dogs also feature Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen and Chris Marrero from the Gnats. Our old friend Adam Loewen is penciled in as their left fielder.

<http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=t_ros&cid=454>

Is there any particular reason why they didn't send Zach Britton? I would have thought he'd be first on the list to go

His innings this year were actually lower than last year, and I'm unaware of any injuries.

Also, is Mychal Givens expected to play in any fall/winter leagues?

The Dogs were pounded by the Solar Sox today, 10-6. Tanaka started and went 3 innings, giving up only 1 run, a 1st inning HR while allowing 3 hits and 1 walk. He had 4 k's. Snyder went 2-5 and hit a 2 run homer. Bell was 0-3 with 1 walk. All in all, a decent start for the baby birds.

Some interesting baseball, finally.

Thanks Starman for the update.

The Dogs got their 1st win yesterday by beating Mesa 4-2. Perrault pitched 1 inning, giving up 1 H, 1 W and had two K's. Waring made his first start and went 1-5 with 1 hit ( a 6th inning HR) and 1 RBI. He also had 3 K's and stranded 7. As a reminder, Waring is only allowed to play on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

"As a reminder, Waring is only allowed to play on Wednesdays and Saturdays."

Wednesdays and Saturdays is okay, but I think they should have been more creative and gone with Thursdays and Saturdays:

"I've got an answer
I'm going to fly away
What have I got to lose?
Will you come see me
Thursdays and Saturdays?
(Baby baby baby)
What have you got to lose?"

____ Stephen Stills' "Suite Judy Blue Eyes"

When fans go through baseball withdrawal at seasons end, some take it harder than others. Take 2 limes and we'll chat later.

The Dogs got their 2nd win last night by beating Scottsdale 9-4. Snyder was 1-5 with 1 RBI, Bell went 1-3 with an RBI double and Angle had an 0-3 outing with 3 walks.

<http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2009_10_15_pddwin_scowin_1>

... and Adam Loewen was 4-5 with a double.

Well good for the ungrateful, deal-breaking, back-turning pr*ck. He's the richest effing guy in that league.

What about Strasberg?

You don't think so? Loewen's signing bonus was $3.2 million, then he proceeded to collect five years salary from the O's at (or above) the MLB minimum (because his was a MLB deal signed in 2003 and he played through 2008 with us), right? So ... dude at the very least has made about five million dollars to this point, probably more. There might be a few first-rounders in that league who got bigger signing bonuses than that, but Loewen has to be one of the richest guys in that league, right?

Yep, one of the richest. I'm still waiting to see how Strasberg handles his first outing. They can't keep him under wraps much longer.

Ahh. Excellent point. Well done.

The Dogs won their 3rd straight, beating Scottsdale 7-4 last night. Gamboa went 2.1 innings, giving up 2 hits and 2 runs. Perrault allowed no runs in 1.1 innings. Snyder went 2-3, scored 3 runs and had a walk. Bell was 3-4, with a double and 3 RBI's. Angle was collared again, going 0-4.

Strasberg made his first pro appearance, going 3.1 innings in picking up the win. He allowed 2 hits with 2 K's and no runs.

"Strasberg made his first pro appearance, going 3.1 innings in picking up the win. He allowed 2 hits with 2 K's and no runs."

Well, congrats to the next Oriole beater. Well done, how bout we just get his @ss in the hall of fame now and skip the Roger Clemens like torture.

Nah, we'll have a legit power hitter in the 4 hole by 2020 to negate Strasberg. We'll also have a Quality starter to augment our baby bird pitching staff. Honest, MacPitcher said so.

"Honest, MacPitcher said so."

yeah, how bout that.

Hey buddy, just curios, do you still keep a spare key to your car in your wallet...lol