Once considered a top prospect, right-handed pitcher Brandon Erbe has signed a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies after eight seasons in the Orioles’ system.
Drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft, the McDonough graduate had one of the best arms in the organization at one point, but injuries and inconsistency never allowed the 24-year-old to advance higher than a single stint at Triple-A Norfolk in 2010.
In 2008, I watched the 6-foot-4 Erbe pitch for Single-A Frederick in a game at Wilmington. Only 20 at the time, he dominated with a good fastball and a devastating slider that kept Blue Rocks hitters clueless throughout the night. Erbe pitched seven innings, allowing one hit while striking out 12 batters and walking none. He retired 19 in a row at one point to earn the victory for the Keys.
Watching him then, it appeared to be a matter of when — not if — Erbe would be in Baltimore, pitching for his hometown team.
Instead, Erbe finishes his run with the various Orioles’ farm teams going 30-49 with a 4.57 earned run average in 610 1/3 innings, striking out 610 and walking 259.
Playoff shares
Major League Baseball announced playoff shares for teams making the postseason, and the Orioles handed out 54 full shares of just under $35,000 each to players and on-field staff for advancing to the AL Division Series.
The World Series champion San Francisco Giants were awarded shares of $377,000 each while the AL champion Detroit Tigers received shares of just under $285,000.
