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Former Howland pitcher promoted to Class AA
By STEVE WILAJ
As Tanner Scott’s value within the Baltimore Orioles’ organization continues to grow with his recent call-up to the Double-A Bowie Baysox, the hard-throwing lefty realizes something is shrinking.
“The strike zone gets smaller,” he said of his promotion. “It’s been good — just another learning curve. But there’s definitely better competition.”
Scott, a 2013 Howland High graduate, was promoted to Bowie from the Class-A Advanced Frederick Keys on July 21. It happened after he went 4-2 with a 4.47 ERA in 29 games out of the bullpen with Frederick to begin the 2016 season.
So far, the Orioles’ No. 8 prospect (according to MLB.com) has pitched three games for the Baysox to less-than-stellar results — he’s 0-1 with a 19.29 ERA in 21/3 innings — as he continues to adjust.
“The hitters are definitely more patient,” said Scott, whose fastball sits around 100 mph. “They look for their pitch and they’re not gonna cheat themselves out of an at-bat. They’re usually very patient with their approach.”
Scott’s shaky Double-A start is reminiscent to his poor April with the Keys, as he allowed 14 runs and walked 15 in 101/3 innings before he turned things around.
From May 1-July 21, he didn’t allow an earned run in 18 of 22 outings. He also posted a 2.37 ERA and struck out 51 while walking just 27.
“At the beginning of the year, I was a little behind because I did so well in spring training and I thought I was gonna do the same in Frederick,” Scott said. “But it was a learning process and I had to learn how to control my stuff, put it in the strike zone and just allow them to get their outs.
“Once I figured that out, it was just night and day. I made one mechanical adjustment and more strikes came.”
Scott’s first appearance with Bowie came on Friday, as he allowed one run on two hits in one inning. He then surrendered two runs on three hits in a loss against Hartford on Monday, before walking four and allowing two runs in 1/3 innings vs. Hartford Wednesday afternoon.
Still, the fire-baller says he’s just fine.
“I just have to get used to it more,” he said. “I’ve only thrown three times so far. It’s just about learning — that’s how baseball is. You have to learn and be ready for it. If it doesn’t happen, something’s wrong.”
Scott’s swift climb through Baltimore’s system — he was a sixth-round draft pick out of Howard College (Texas) in 2014 — coupled with his triple-digit fastball has made him a hot commodity.
With the Orioles in first place in the American League East, reports have been that the lefty is a highly sought-after trade-piece by non-contenders as Baltimore looks to bolster its major league roster for the season’s final months.
However, Scott is only focused on adapting to Bowie.
“I would love to finish up doing the best I can,” he said. “Getting outs, no walks, no runs — that’s the goal. We’ll see about maybe a late call-up, but if not, I just want to go into next year knowing I finished the year strong.”