Birds Up, O's Down for end of Spring Training
by duck on Apr 4, 2010 7:16 PM EDT
in Birds Up, O's Down
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Here’s a weekly look at players making an impact, for good and bad, for the Orioles this week. Rather than analyze the entire 25-man roster, here's five players doing well and five who aren't.
Birds Up
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Brian Matusz (LHP) - A spring for the ages, with a sub-1.00 WHIP while throwing the most IP of any O's pitcher. Almost a consensus pre-season AL RoY pick. |
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David Hernandez (RHP) - Pitched his way into Chris Tillman's job with a strong spring and improvement on his pitches from last summer. He's no lock to be the one Tillman replaces in a month or so. |
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Miguel Tejada (3B) - Finished ST strong, lifted his OPS for the spring to .743. Hit much better the last week of camp. If Miggi has another 199 hits in his bat, the O's got a steal. |
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Julio Lugo (SS/2B) - Earned the utility middle IF job with his versatility, but will hit bat and below-average defense let him keep it? |
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Sarasota, FL - The O's attracted the most ST fans for Florida in the organization's last 20 years. And the facility will just get better with a +$30 million improvement slated to start later in the month. |
O's down
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Chris Tillman (RHP) - Didn't exactly pitch his way out of the rotation, but didn't do well enough to keep the job, either. The next month or so in Norfolk will be his chance to prove he belongs with the big club to stay. |
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Kameron Mickolio (RHP) - Worked hard to get in shape, then pitched not so great and wound up injured. Unless Jason Berken or Matt Albers implode, there may be no room for Kam even before Koji Uehara gets healthy. |
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Robert Andino (SS) - His attitude, hot-dogging mannerisms and lowly average last season meant he got the pink slipt when Lugo signed. His best bet may be to swallow his pride and accept a bus ticket to Norfolk after his DFA period ends. |
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Mike Costanzo (3B) - With Josh Bell anointed as the future, Costanzo becomes the first of the 10 players acquired in the Erik Bedard/Miguel Tejada trades to wash out completely. Tony Butler, you're on notice. |
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Jeremy Guthrie (RHP) - The spring looked a lot like last year, and last year Jeremy led the AL in losses. You've got to think Jeremy's got about six weeks to show improvement or his spot will be occupied by Chris Tillman. |
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That was his rep in the front office.
I mean, we don’t see these guys in the locker room and elsewhere. Maybe the O’s did a great job of selling that storyline, but more than one reporter wrote it.
"The moment you stop thinking you're the best, it's time for you to get out the game." -'King' Mo Lawal
To quote 2 great, 3 OK and 1 really bad movies:
I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
"The moment you stop thinking you're the best, it's time for you to get out the game." -'King' Mo Lawal
Loved is a bit strong for those two
They were OK as was Return. There simply is no excuse for Phantom Menace though.
"The moment you stop thinking you're the best, it's time for you to get out the game." -'King' Mo Lawal
I always thought tejada was a steal
he sure as hell didn’t cost much and I think he’s good from anywhere between 150-200 hits, 15-18 hrs, 85-100 rbis. gotta give it up to his consistency.
http://draftdayencyclopedia.wordpress.com/
spread the word please!
by danielreese05 on Apr 4, 2010 8:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think Guthrie will have longer than 6 weeks to prove himself
This just in: adorableness on the rise, family copes with child getting schooled. Film at 11. -daveh873
Not if he pitches as badly as he did this spring and last year
He was really, really bad last year.
"The moment you stop thinking you're the best, it's time for you to get out the game." -'King' Mo Lawal
+1
But this year will determine how long he stays with the o’s
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Apr 4, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
OK, I'll ask this
If Jeremy’s as bad as he was in ST and ’09, and Tillman and/or Arrieta are tearing it up in AAA, how long do you go with a starter with a 5.00+ ERA?
"The moment you stop thinking you're the best, it's time for you to get out the game." -'King' Mo Lawal
Around 5
And he gets all year.
Adam Eaton #‘s though would make anybody’s leash short.
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Apr 4, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
He pitched....
365 innings in 07 and 08 of roughly 3.65 ERA ball. I’d give him a decent sized leash after just one poor season. I still love the guy no matter what.
by Wieters Wieners on Apr 5, 2010 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Previous performances work for and against Guts
I remember him being awesome in 08; he just couldn’t get wins because he lacked run-support. It’s really unfair to Guthrie that as soon as the Oriole batters are picking it up, he starts to struggle. I think that’s why we’re all rooting for the guy.
Unfortunately, I think last season is going to shorten his leash. We know from 07 and 08 that he can be good (and eat up innings) but from 09 we know he can be league-leadingly bad.
I like giving him 5 starts and seeing if he can get back in his groove. If he’s leading the league in HRs allowed again after 5, then maybe its time to give tillman a shot.
Month or two.
I’m not sure what the lay of the land is on this, but you need to look at Tillman’s/Arrieta’s arm strength as well and if they’re ready for a major league workload.
That's where I'm at
About 6 weeks, and if he’s still giving up gopher balls, check what Tillman and/or Arrieta are doing.
"The moment you stop thinking you're the best, it's time for you to get out the game." -'King' Mo Lawal
I'm really, really, really, really excited about Matusz.
And not just because he looks adorable and goofy.
Complaining is good for you as long as you're not complaining to the person you're complaining about. - Lynn Johnston (I don't know who that is...but it's a good quote.)
Well if you're really, really, really, really excited about Matusz
Then I’m really, really, really, really, really, really, really excited about matusz.
In one game as a freshman at Miami, Wieters hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to put the Yellow Jackets ahead, then pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save. On that day, the God nickname was bestowed. - Sports Illustrated
Unofficial Leader of the Brain Matusz For ROY Campaign
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Apr 5, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I just realized
The last time Mussina pitched with the O’s you were, what, 4 years old? I’m excited about Matusz as well, but outside of Bedard this would be the 1st true ace type pitcher you’ve really seen with the O’s.
I became a fan right around Mussina’s 1st season and that was awesome. Enjoy it. Hopefully it works out just as well (without the eventual knife in the back scenario).
"You accept mediocrity and you get mediocrity." - Adam Jones, Son!
Errr...one thing, though
“Robert Andino – His attitude, hot-dogging mannerisms and lowly average last season meant he got the pink slipt when Lugo signed.”
Lugo was acquired via trade, not signed.
Otherwise, great post!
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