Orioles send Ripken and top draft pick to Shorebirds

The Delmarva Shorebirds have announced their roster for the 2018 season.

The team currently features 26 players, including seven of the Baltimore Orioles’ Top 30 prospects. Delmarva must trim its roster to 25 players prior to a Thursday noon deadline.

But with the bulk of the lineup expected to take the field at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium now set, here are some of the top athletes to watch throughout the season.

D.L. Hall (LHP – 1st Round 2017)

One of the most hyped players coming to the Shore will be 2017 first-round pick D.L. Hall — the youngest player on the roster.

Hall was drafted out of Valdosta High School in Georgia and is currently ranked as the Orioles’ fifth best prospect.

Playing in Baltimore’s Gulf Coast League last season, Hall finished the year with five starts, 10.1 innings pitched and 12 strikeouts. He also tallied a 6.97 ERA and walked 10 batters.

Despite his age, Hall has thrown the ball at more than 90 mph, with glimpses of a 96 mph fastball, according to Camden Chat, an Orioles blog.

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With the Orioles hoping to bump him up to Camden Yards as soon as possible, fans will want to make sure they get a glimpse of the young Delmarva pitcher.

Ryan Ripken (First base, signed in 2017)

Shorebirds’ fans may not know him personally, but they’ll definitely see Delmarva’s newest infielder’s last name and have high expectations.

Ryan Ripken, son of Orioles’ Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., comes to the Shore after a brief stint with the Aberdeen Ironbirds last season. After beginning his professional career in the Washington Nationals' farm system, Ryan Ripken signed with Baltimore in March 2017.

Last season, he played in 51 games, batted .287 and recorded 54 hits and 24 RBIs.

He has played on Delmarva in the past, but as a member of the Hagerstown Suns in 2016.

Ryan Ripken isn’t the first relative of a notable Baltimore athlete to start at first base for the Shorebirds. From 2009-11, Mike Flacco, the brother of Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco, played more than 100 games at the corner.

Should Ryan Ripken earn a starting spot, expect Cal Ripken Jr. to be making several trips to the Shore.

Brenan Hanifee (RHP, 4th Round 2016)

He won’t have the same recognition as Hall or Ripken, but another notable addition to the Shorebirds’ roster is pitcher Brenan Hanifee. The Bridgewater, Virginia, native is ranked 10th on the Orioles’ prospect list.

Much like several of his teammates, Hanifee played in Aberdeen during the 2017 season, racking up a 2.75 ERA and 44 strikeouts. His performance earned him All-Star nods from both the New York-Penn League and MiLB.com.

Prior to being drafted, Hanifee was a four-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, football, basketball and golf. He had committed to Eastern Carolina, but opted to forego college to begin his professional career.

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Camden Chat compared Hanifee to former Shorebirds’ pitcher and 2017 O’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year Alex Wells, due primarily to his lack of walks — just 12 for the season.

With pitching expected to be the Shorebirds’ strength, Hanifee could see another strong season, continuing to work his way up the Orioles’ ranks.

Matthias Dietz (RHP – 2nd Round 2016)

Pitcher Matthias Dietz returns to Delmarva for his second season with the Shorebirds.

Coming into the 2017 season, Dietz was regarded as one of the top pitchers in the Orioles’ system, ranking in the 13th spot among Baltimore’s Top 30 prospects.

But Dietz struggled throughout the season, finishing with a 3-10 record and a 4.93 ERA. He tallied 92 strikeouts, but walked 50 batters.

As one of six returning Shorebirds, Dietz can enter the season as a leader and prove last season was simply an off-year.

Having the talent and the speed with his pitch, Dietz is due for a breakout year. But with so much young talent surrounding him in Hall, Hanifee and others, the right-handed pitcher must capitalize on his opportunities or risk being taken out of the rotation.

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