Rough day for the 'Big 3'
by sickuvitall on Jul 12, 2009 11:26 PM EDT
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Today was supposed to be the day that we unleashed our beasts. Chris Tillman was slated to start the annual Futures Game in St. Louis, and expectations were high. With Brian Matusz waiting in the wings, this was going to be the day that we as members of Birdland served notice to the rest of the league! And then they actually played the game...
Tillman took the hill under dark skies with impending rain, which I like to think may have had a negative effect on him. Chris labored through the first before rain halted play, throwing 29 pitches. He struggled with his control, as only 16 of his pitches found the zone and included a hit batsman. In all, Tillman gave up two earned runs on two hits, putting the U.S. Futures in an early hole.
Brian Matusz entered the game in the third inning, and found it difficult to find the strike zone as well. Brian was able to limit the damage though after 13 pitches, allowing one earned run on one hit and a walk.
To top the day off, the Norfolk Tides' Jake Arrieta was given a beating by the Durham Bulls. Jake gave up two solo home runs early on, then appeared to settle down. The sixth inning would prove fatal however for Arrieta. His final line: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 5 K, 3 BB. Jake has struggled thus far in AAA, as he is now sporting a 4.42 ERA.
I understand that in the big picture, this was only one day. I can't help but feel slightly let down though. My hopes were high that it would be a bright day for our young arms...I guess it just wasn't to be.
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I was pissed to
After praising these guys to be the Orioles saviors for the past year and a half, they didnt show me much. Good post, hopefully its just one game, not there whole career
to be fair it was raining when Tillman pitched the whole time, also his defense didnt help him much either. but then again it was raining its really too bad they just didnt wait to start the game.. Look at the numbers for the entire season. Brian did a good job too…. Allowing a bunt is nothing.I guess you had to be there.
continuing with the fairness
From the game log it looks like Arrieta left the sixth with two outs. The reliever then proceeded to yield all three inherited runners, two through walks.
No big deal
It was one day. Look at what these guys have done over their entire minor league career.
It would be very myopic and reactionary to panic after a bad inning each for Matusz and Tillman, and a rough day for Jake. I agree with dkdc, look at the entire body of work and take solace in the fact that Chris and Brian are two of the elite prospects in the game, and Jake will be a very solid contributor for the O’s soon.
It may be good for them
I was wondering if they were a bit nervous and had too much adrenaline flowing through the veins. I’m not making excuses, just wondering. If this had anything to do with it, it’s a learning experience.
By no means
am I damning their careers with my evaluation. Just simply expressing my disappointment in the fact that they didn’t perform well in the national spotlight.
I do feel that Jake Arrieta will be the most questionable of the three. He has the least ‘stuff’ to work with, but then again he could just become the permanent GQ cover boy if baseball doesn’t pan out!
Arrieta
Has a great fastball, maybe the best of the trio.
His repertoire and command is weaker than the other two. He profiles extremely well in bullpen if the starting gig doesn’t work out, but we’re a long way from considering that. Unless he continues to struggle, his last few starts are nothing more than a player hitting a rough patch for the first time in his professional career.
Kevin Goldstein at BP
Had this to say about Tillman (subscription only so I’m excerpting rather than quoting the whole thing):
Chris Tillman was way better than his line looked. …He had some struggles with the command of his fastball, but that was really the only issue, as his fastball sat at 92-94 mph, touched 96, and he dropped some really nice breaking balls into the strike zone without giving up a hard-hit ball.
So that’s encouraging, and another reminder that the raw results of one inning in one game shouldn’t get us too upset or too excited.
by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Jul 13, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions
Link
Here’s the link for subscribers: Futures Game Ten Pack
by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Jul 13, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The Problem....
The problem is that Tillman really only has two reliable pitches the curve and fastball. After seeing the game it’s obvious that he isn’t going to be the ace of our staff, unless he can develop his changeup more and add another pitch.
by No More Steroids Please on Jul 14, 2009 4:47 AM EDT up reply actions
According to the Sun article that was out recently
his changeup has become his best pitch.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
Not sure which
Sun genius decided that, but it sure as heck isn’t true. His fastball and curve are both better, with his change checking in as his third best…but gaining ground.
I still wouldn’t mind our starters having four reliable pitches though. I guess eventually they will all pick up the Kranny cutter, that’s if he is still around.
by sickuvitall on Jul 14, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
It wasn't a genius at the Sun
It was Tillman himself.
When the Orioles acquired Tillman, the primary criticism was that he needed to add a consistent changeup to go with a late-life, mid-90s fastball and hammer-dropping curve.
He and Griffin began working on the changeup last year, when they were together at Bowie. By the second half of the season, it clicked. Now, he considers it his best pitch.
The changeup “was terrible last year,” Tillman said. “Now I’ll throw it 20, 25 times a game. I am more than thrilled with that pitch, and all the credit goes to [Norfolk catcher] Chad Moeller and Mike Griffin.”
Says Griffin of the changeup: “That was the last piece of the puzzle to put into place and it is now in place. Now, he is learning how to use all three pitches in the ballgame.”
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
So the pitch
that he has been working on for slightly over a year is better than the others that he has been throwing all his life? C’mon Chris, let’s not exaggerate about our change up here.
by sickuvitall on Jul 14, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
When's the last time you saw him pitch?
I’m just curious; I’ve never seen him pitch in person.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
Also
A little more perspective from Baseball America:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1247498308
JAYPERS (IL): Which pitcher impressed you the most, from both squads? Why?
Ben Badler: For the US team, Tillman and Matusz. I know they gave up three runs combined in two innings of work, but that?s not the point?we?re trying to figure out how they project in the future, which admittedly is a difficult task in an exhibition setting with pitchers only throwing an inning and most hitters only getting a couple of at-bats. Tillman?s curveball was an above-average pitch and his fastball was 92-94 mph, touching 95-96, while Matusz showed a diverse repertoire. Nobody on the World team pitching staff blew me away, though I was impressed with just how good Chacin?s changeup looked from my seat in the scouts? section. His curveball didn?t look quite as sharp as when I saw him last year, but he could have three average to above-average pitches.
Much ado about nothing.
Also from the chat
Geoff (NJ): As an O’s fan should I’ve concerned with yesterdays outing by our 2 studs?
Ben Badler: No, it’s an exhibition match, with guys who aren’t used to throwing one inning at a time having to do so and in Matusz’s case, work out of the bullpen. The Futures Game is a great place to see a bunch of prospects all in one place, but I wouldn’t put too much stock into what happens at the game.
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