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Minor League Podcast: Graham gives his perspective on top Orioles’ prospects

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With apologies to Adam Pohl and Dean Jones Jr., there’s no one who knows the Orioles’ farm system quite like Brian Graham, the organization’s director of player development.

Graham has been with the Orioles for 10 seasons and at the center of the organization’s minor league system for five. He’s constantly bopping from one affiliate to another, working with staffs and players in an attempt to get them ready for the majors.

He was in Bowie this past week and stopped to talk with Pohl, the voice of the Double-A Bowie Baysox, for this podcast.

Graham provided his insight on various prospects, whether it’s the improved control of lefty Tanner Scott, the electric bat of infielder Ryan Mountcastle or the overall development of catcher Chance Sisco.

He also touched on what makes longtime infielder Garabez Rosa, click and why he believes former first-rounder DJ Stewart has a bright future.

It was also interesting to hear him say that when one specific minor leaguer makes the majors it will be “one of my happiest days.”

Graham is invested in these players, as a group, like no other. And, though he is glowingly positive – which is key for a development director — it’s always interesting to get his take on the prospects we have heard so much about.

In the second part of the podcast, Pohl and Jones discuss recent happenings in the O’s system, and even touch on a little bit of what Graham had said previously.

Another worthwhile listen if you love hearing about the Orioles’ system.

Dan Connolly

Dan Connolly has spent more than two decades as a print journalist in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Baltimore native and Calvert Hall graduate first covered the Orioles as a beat writer for the York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record in 2001 before becoming The Baltimore Sun’s national baseball writer/Orioles reporter in 2005. He has won multiple state and national writing awards, including several from the Associated Press Sports Editors. In 2013 he was named Maryland Co-Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. And in 2015, he authored his first book, "100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." He lives in York, with his wife, Karen, and three children, Alex, Annie, and Grace.