Birds Up, O's Down

Birds Up, O's Down for end of Spring Training

By Bad Pseudonym Apr 4, 2010, 7:16pm EDT

Miguel Tejada finished strong in Florida. Can he keep it up?(Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

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

	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.
	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.
	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.
	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?
	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

	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.