Break Up the Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are going to be pretty good for a second straight year. They hadn’t exactly had the sterling reputation as a powerhouse team in the Eastern League until Matt Wieters, Chris Tillman, Brad Bergesen, and David Hernandez showed up last year. It was only 2006 that they were floundering at 67-74, relying on the backs of Garret Olson and Jim Johnson and little else. Last year they peaked at 84-58 and they stand to be that good again this year on the potential strength of their pitching.
Leading that charge is going to be Jake Arrieta, making his first stop at the AA level after a very impressive year with Frederick and the US Olympic team. The 23 year old righty threw 113 innings with the Keys, striking out 120 (9.56/9 IP) and only giving up 0.56 HR/9 IP. He did, however, give up 4 BB/9 IP and therein lies the problem. Arrieta has the highest ceiling of Tillreittusz but also the most work to do.
He has a good fastball that sits in the upper 90s. Unlike Brian Matusz, he’s got more heat but less secondary stuff. His slider, curveball, and changeup all need work (with the curve being the worst culprit). But let’s not kid ourselves. In the worst case scenario (outside of serious injury), Arrieta is going to be a solid back-end major league starter. His raw talent is just too good, and it’s only a matter of time. His impressive Spring Training stint with the Orioles seemed to put him on the fast track, and had Dave Trembley running around saying he was “a man” for some reason.
I’m still absolutely amazed Arrieta fell to the Orioles in the fifth(!) round of the 2007 draft. His last year at TCU was mediocre, with diminished velocity and lowered scouting reports. He’s been an absolute steal, despite being a Scott Boras client with first round talent.
For me, I’m looking forward to seeing Arrieta lower the walks while maintaining everything else at the pivitol AA level. I think he can and will succeed there easily, and I’ll leave you with this quote off of his blog (hat-tip to camdenchat.com):
My warm-up pitches in the bullpen were comical because of a Yankee fan chirping in my ear the entire time. After every pitch he would say, “Jeter is going to knock that around the park, you better throw something better than that.” I tuned the douche bag out after a couple of pitches and really cranked it up to get ready for my outing.
Is Tillman repeating Bowie? I personally think he should. Reasons: age and BB/9. His command is a little shaky at times. Not a huge issue, but given the crowding in the AAA rotation, I don’t think it would kill him to spend a half year there. Tillman and Matusz could swap at Bowie midway through the year. Combined with Arrieta, Erbe and who knows, maybe Patton, Spoone, Beato or Bascom… Bowie could look pretty excellent rotationwise in 2009.
I don’t think anythink has been decided just yet re:Tillman, but in my opinion, Bowie’s opening day rotation should be Tillman-Arrieta-Matusz-Erbe-Patton. I believe the Orioles are set on putting Matusz in Frederick for some reason, so that’s already out the window.
Just a heads up for the others participating in The Loss Column Fantasy Baseball League, I was thinking of implementing some kind of gentlemen’s rule, lemme know what you think.
Each team must draft A MINIMUM of 1 position player & 1 pitcher from the Orioles. So >/=2 total players from the Os.
AND
Each team must draft A MAXIMUM of 1 position player & 1 pitcher from the New England Yank Sox. So </=2 total players from the N.E. Yank Sox, but if you don’t want ANY that’s OK too.
I think it would keep things interesting as the pool of players (AL and NL) is pretty large this year, there will be competition for the best Birds, and little-none loading up of players from a couple of certain loathsome teams.
I wasn’t invited to the league
I’m eating crow on this Bergesen thing. As much as I think they will put him Norfolk… I’m starting to think there’s really no way he can’t make the Orioles. Absolutely no one is stepping up but him.
I like Bass’s chances too.
Greg, weren’t you the one who said you were involved in too many? Or was that random dude? Either way, everyone on here is invited. Here’s the link to join, you can set pre-draft rankings now or be part of the live draft on the 3/28.
Nope, wasn’t me. Can never have too many leagues.
I need a password for the league… if you could, send it to me at schwender7 at hotmail.com.
I like those rules…a lot.
I dig on those rules, as well.
What a great quote from Arrieta. I can’t wait until these guys come up, man.