Finish this sentence: Zach Britton reminds me of ...
With his one-run, sixth-inning performance against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, Zach Britton became the first rookie in Orioles’ modern-day history (dating back to 1954) to win four starts in April.
Sorry Willis Roberts, you are now officially out of the record books.
Britton is carving out a heck of a start to his Orioles career. But we do need to show some restraint here. One good month doesn’t make a career or even a season (didn’t Josh Towers and Travis Driskill start their Orioles’ careers 5-0?)
The great thing about Britton is that he gets that. He’s not patting himself on the back. He’s looking to his next start. We asked him about the rookie record and his ERA (2.84) and he quickly turned it into a team answer.
“It is not about setting a record for wins in a month for a rookie or anything like that. It’s not about having a sub-3.00 ERA,” Britton said. “It’s about keeping our team in the game every time out and that’s what I am hoping to continue to do.”
Our Sun colleague Kevin Van Valkenburg wrote a great feature on Britton for Tuesday and here’s an interesting quote from it: "I asked all our coaches the question in spring training ‘Who is he comparable to?’” Orioles pitching coach Mark Connor said about Britton. “No one could remember one. The only guy who comes close is Mike Hampton, but I don't think he threw with that velocity.”
We have played this game in the press box, too: Who does Britton remind you of? My baseball colleague, Jeff Zrebiec, says Tampa Bay’s David Price, just not as overpowering.
One scout who has watched him a lot calls Britton a left-handed Brandon Webb.
I like the Hampton comp, but I’ve said for two years now that Britton reminds me of a left-handed Josh Beckett. Not his stuff, really, but his baby face and his complete confidence at such a young age.
Britton is a really nice kid, but he’s just got that confident swagger that he can beat anyone. And Beckett has that.
Now I am throwing it to you.
Daily Think Special: What pitcher, past or present, would you compare to Zach Britton?
Categories: Connolly's Corner Sports Bar
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
He reminds me of Steve Barber (Orioles, 1960-1967)!
Posted by: BMAC1206 | April 27, 2011 7:55 AM
Tom glavine or bedard with less velocity. If he could stay away from the walks he could have a really special season.
Posted by: Aaron | April 27, 2011 7:56 AM
Dave McNally
Posted by: tntoriole | April 27, 2011 7:58 AM
Erik Bedard when he was good and healthy.
Posted by: B | April 27, 2011 8:04 AM
Scott Erickson..... Heavy Sinker...
Posted by: Mike | April 27, 2011 8:12 AM
I am very impressed with Britton. The comparision I have to make and this is strictly on his stuff is a young Eric Bedard. I think he has a way better mental make up compared to bedard but he has that nasty sink on his pitches like bedard had a few years ago. I k ow it's early and hitters will make adjustments but I am so excited to see where this kid is in 2 years! Let's go birds!
Posted by: B-roni | April 27, 2011 8:21 AM
Steve Barber
Posted by: Dave R | April 27, 2011 8:24 AM
He reminds me of Zach Britton. I dont get this urgent need to draw comparisons between stars of yester year and young maturing ball players. Let them be who they are. Find something else to talk about Dan.
--
OK, no free drink for you. It's something the coaches talked about, something the writers have tallked about. Just trying to share the joy.
Posted by: matt | April 27, 2011 8:24 AM
I agree with BMAC, Steve Barber.
Posted by: Deke | April 27, 2011 8:25 AM
Erik Bedard without the fragile ego/body.
Posted by: dcb | April 27, 2011 8:25 AM
Clayton Kershaw
Posted by: Matt | April 27, 2011 8:42 AM
He's got a style all his own. Pretty calm for a young kid too.
Posted by: JH | April 27, 2011 8:43 AM
A young JIMMY KEY, who like Britton had great control over his 2 seam fastball and a wicked change-up.
Posted by: DaveMan | April 27, 2011 8:49 AM
I know this is going to seem way off but this is more on his poise that he has shown is what Mussina had when they bought in Sutcliffe to help tutor him
But hes doing it without the presence of a Sutcliffe
Posted by: Josh | April 27, 2011 8:58 AM
He reminds me of a young Steve Carlton!
Posted by: drjohn93 | April 27, 2011 9:00 AM
Both Dave McNally and Steve Barber.
Just where would we be without Britton? There was a group of fans clamoring to keep him in the minors for benefit of service time...believe they referred to it as a "no-brainer."
As any business manager will tell you: "worry little about overpaying a producer and worry much about what a non-producer costs you."
Posted by: Dennis | April 27, 2011 9:04 AM
Jon Lester. He even resembles him in the way he wears his uniform, and his motion is quite similar.
Posted by: Bobby Ballgame | April 27, 2011 9:12 AM
Steve Barber
Posted by: jeff f | April 27, 2011 9:22 AM
A lefthanded Roy Halladay
Posted by: TikiTim | April 27, 2011 9:26 AM
He reminds me of Jimmy Key back in his short stint with the Orioles.
Posted by: Mark Thompson | April 27, 2011 9:38 AM
He reminds me of a lefty Scott Erickson, but I really like DaveMan's Jimmy Key comparison. Man, wouldn't that be awesome?
Posted by: Michael Brennan | April 27, 2011 9:50 AM
The way he stands on the mound, and even his delivery remind me of Jon Lester. His stuff reminds me of Brandon Webb
Posted by: JoeD. | April 27, 2011 9:57 AM
I've seen Zack pitch in the minors and the best part to this start is that I don't think he's really got his best sinker yet.
I've been posting for the past year that this kid could be better then Matusz, and that's no knock on Matusz. The O's could end up with two of the best young lefties in the majors in their rotation for a long time.
It always seems to be awhile before that thing really develops it's bite. When it does, it creates weak ground balls and K's.
Dan, has anybody asked him if he's thrown his best sinker yet? I like the Mussina comparison in that Mike had that hard knuckle curve which dropped like a sinker. Different pitch, but same kind of effect on a batter trying to pick it up.
Posted by: MountainFan | April 27, 2011 9:59 AM
I think the Jimmy Key comparisons make sense, but I don't think Key had Britton's velocity. Britton is like a cross between Key and Erickson. Key's touch and Erickson's velocity and movement.
Posted by: Mike F | April 27, 2011 10:09 AM
Whitey Ford. a couple of strikeouts, a lot of ground balls and at the end of the day, you can't figure out how the heck he beat,............. again!
Posted by: Ed Miller | April 27, 2011 10:16 AM
Al Leiter or Mickey Lolich
Posted by: onceawarrior | April 27, 2011 10:23 AM
Tough to say. A lot of these comparisons (Whitey Ford, Carlton, Halladay, McNally) make me wince a bit, but that would be nice. I don't like the Key comparison: I think Key didn't throw as hard but had greater feel and a more diverse arsenal. I think Key is a better comp for Matusz in terms of style (and let's hope production too, Key was an excellent pitcher). Erickson from the left side might work better, although I think Scott had a more intimidating stature on the mound: that guy was a nasty SOB, and I mean that in a good way. Britton appears to be able to get strike outs more than Erickson did, which makes that comp not so clean either. It's fun to think about in this case, since no one pitcher leaps to mind.
Posted by: Orsulakfan | April 27, 2011 10:53 AM
Most of the usual suspects have been covered here so I'll pour a little water on the fire, just to keep us honest, and say:
ROCKY COPPINGER
He came up in the 90s during a heated playoff run and rattled off 10 wins. I believe it might have been consecutive decisions. At the time everyone talked about him being a future Ace, but it turned out that he was a one year wonder. Proverbial lightning in a bottle.
That said, I like Britton a lot. I am just saying we fans need to stay reserved and watch the kid mature. I garauntee it will be ups and downs.
Posted by: Eddie in NYC | April 27, 2011 11:02 AM
Already been said, but Steve Carlton.
Posted by: Peter | April 27, 2011 11:06 AM
Just a side note, when Erik Bedard was a young pitcher, he didn't really have good starts like Britton has been getting. Erik was a notoriously bad pitch count manager because he went for the Ks, and much of his starts saw him leave about the 5th inning. Brit on that alone exceeds that.
That said, based on pure appearance alone, I think maybe Britton does have an uncanny resemblance.
Posted by: Eddie in NYC | April 27, 2011 11:07 AM
A left handed Wally Bunker - heat with a nasty sinker
Posted by: Jerry | April 27, 2011 11:27 AM
Dennis- I was one of the fans saying we should leave him in the minors for service time reasons. I stick by my opinion at the time because that was back when we has Matusz and there was still a thought that Dukesher might be available. If Britton's as good as he looks, theres a lot more good pitching to come from him and an entire year of good pitching in the future is more valuable than the 2 wins he compiled in the first 20 days of the season.
To answer the main question though- Hes got the swag and confidence of Josh Becket but his stuff is like a better version of Scotty Erickson's. I think this kid's got the potential to be great- fantastic stuff, the perfect level of confidence. Above all he has a huge desire to succeed which is severely underrated. He's not gonna be happy with a solid rookie campaign and a decent few years in the middle of the rotation beacuse he wants to be an ace.
Britton, Matusz and Arietta are going to be a filthy 1-2-3 for years to come.
Posted by: BmoreBirds | April 27, 2011 11:38 AM
Definitely - Dave McNally...
Posted by: TESSIE | April 27, 2011 11:41 AM
Jim Palmer. Why not The Best?
Posted by: Laney Bormel | April 27, 2011 11:42 AM
Fernando Valenzuela for sure
Posted by: Matthew Cuber | April 27, 2011 12:02 PM
"Sorry Willis Roberts, you are now officially out of the record books."
I'm not sure why everyone in the Baltimore media keeps saying this, because it isn't really true. Willis Roberts won 4 games in April of 2001, therefore Britton merely tied his record.
Now if you want to say 4 starts rather than just games, you would be correct. One of Roberts' 4 wins that April came in relief.
--
You are absolutely correct. The Orioles presented it as rookie starters and some of us left "starters" out of there. Britton is the only Orioles' rookie starter to win four games in April. Roberts also won 4 in 2001, but not all as a starter. There is a distinction. Thanks for calling me (us) out on that. Free drink chip.
Posted by: Christopher | April 27, 2011 12:03 PM
scotty mcgregor
Posted by: larry | April 27, 2011 12:06 PM
Wanted to add, that I love the Wally Bunker comparison. You hope Brit's career goes a little differently but in terms of a fastball that has a natural pure power sink in it, that's a great comparison.
Posted by: Eddie in NYC | April 27, 2011 12:18 PM
Ben McDonald
Posted by: uncle goose | April 27, 2011 12:24 PM
zach britton reminds me of oria hershieser with his bull dog mentality. zach britton hates to lose. maybe some of his bull dog attitude should rub off on the other oriole pitchers. as for this series with the rd sox. i would very much like to see the orioles sweep,but i do not think it will happen. it appears that zach britton knows what he has to do nad he is getting it done.
Posted by: deputy dog | April 27, 2011 12:28 PM
Guidry - throws hard and always down in the zone.
Posted by: CAlex | April 27, 2011 12:29 PM
With that stiff right leg during his delivery he reminds me of Tommy John.
Posted by: duke of york | April 27, 2011 1:26 PM
Looks like Alfred E. Neuman!
Posted by: CurlyC | April 27, 2011 1:30 PM
Chris Tillman.
Only with a fastball. And a nasty sinker. Oh, and poise. Almost forgot, not afraid to pitch inside. Did I mention mound presence?
Posted by: jack | April 27, 2011 1:35 PM
Mike Hampton
Posted by: Mel | April 27, 2011 1:42 PM
Left handed Mike Boddiker. Very similar demeanor on the mound with a pitch that only he knows how to throw.
Posted by: 5280RavensFan | April 27, 2011 1:47 PM
Chuck Norris. It makes perfect sense.
Posted by: Neil | April 27, 2011 2:23 PM
He reminds me of myself, only with a better fastball, better sinker, better curveball, better looking girlfriend, better house, generally better looking.......Oh - and he got drafted a few slots above me.
ps...well said matt
Posted by: boot9w | April 27, 2011 2:28 PM
The next Rookie of The Year
Posted by: Geo Guru | April 27, 2011 2:41 PM
I love the Josh Beckett comp. If only the team around Britton was good enough to get the O's into the playoffs. I'd love to see a 23-year-old Britton dominate the Yankees in October just like a 23-year-old Beckett did eight years ago.
I can't think of any other comps that haven't been mentioned, so I'll just slip back into my dream about how good this starting rotation could be when Brian Matusz is ready to take the hill.
PS - Has there been any talk in the warehouse about an extension for Guthrie, Dan? Something like 3 years, $27MM to keep him here through his age 35 season seems to make sense.
Posted by: not brooks | April 27, 2011 2:56 PM
A new born puppy losing his milk teeth, ready to bite! Hope we have hin for years to come!
I like the idea of Rookie of the Year...he's his own man!
Posted by: Brak | April 27, 2011 3:03 PM
Aroldis Chapman
Posted by: Ramon Castro | April 27, 2011 3:19 PM
I like the Wally Bunker comparison and I would throw in Wayne Garland (albeit they were both right-handed). Let's just hope he stays away from the injuries which ended both of their careers.
Posted by: Craig Askins | April 27, 2011 3:24 PM
A hongry Storm Davis
Posted by: Read C | April 27, 2011 3:40 PM
Zach Britton
Posted by: beallja | April 27, 2011 3:58 PM
Jesus Christ
Posted by: Smith | April 27, 2011 4:02 PM
Joe Price.
Rick Honeycutt.
Dan Schatzeder.
Floyd Bannister.
Mark Langston.
Posted by: Doug | April 27, 2011 4:07 PM
Sound like he reminds people of any left hander that has ever one a game.
How about my cousin chris ? He's lefthanded.
Posted by: jim | April 27, 2011 4:56 PM
...watching the Orioles play back in the 70's!!
The beauty of it all is that he doesn't have to be like anyone to get the results he's getting. Who was Palmer like? How about Mussina? Cuellar? I'm just glad he's wearing an O's uni...
Posted by: Idaho O's Fan | April 27, 2011 4:57 PM
My paperboy... He's 12 :-)
Posted by: Lauren Robison | April 27, 2011 6:46 PM
Better version of Scott Erickson
Posted by: JoseB | April 27, 2011 6:46 PM
The lone All-Star pick for the O's in 2011.
Posted by: Lee | April 27, 2011 7:32 PM
A left handed Roger Clemens.
Posted by: Rick from CT | April 27, 2011 8:57 PM
Cliff Lee with more velocity, just wait till he can spot up ohhh man watch out
Posted by: Nick Cicere | April 27, 2011 11:23 PM
Andy Pettitte, throws a heavy ball, throws just as hard, except he throws a sinker instead of a cutter
Posted by: big kev | April 28, 2011 12:15 AM
Left Handed Roger Clemens
Posted by: Rob Reyes | April 28, 2011 3:47 AM
A Yankee in 6 years if we're not careful!
Posted by: Ken | April 28, 2011 6:08 AM
BWebb or the next Yankee 20 game winner.
Posted by: Triple A | April 28, 2011 7:13 AM
John Lester
Posted by: DanFan60 | April 28, 2011 7:45 AM
Mark Langston.. Same body type, same delivery, same sinking fastball.
Posted by: Tom | April 28, 2011 10:21 AM
I find it interesting that nobody has mentioned Kevin Brown. Power sinker, decent slider. Brown had a splitter that he used pretty effectively as a changeup, and Britton's change definitely is a work in progress (which would justify a month-long demotion, one that would keep him in an Orioles uniform for an extra year), but his 1-2 punch seems most like a lhp version of Brown, and a bit less like Webb (who has better command, but not quite Britton/Brown velocity) to me.
Posted by: WDW | April 28, 2011 11:03 AM
Jeff Ballard with stuff. If Guthrie, Britton, Matusz, and Arrieta can get and remain healthy, this team will win, regardless of the 5th starter. I'm starting to see a little of the early 90's Braves takin' shape here.
Posted by: daskipster | April 28, 2011 11:30 AM
Tom Phoebus
Posted by: Paul | April 28, 2011 2:46 PM
Brian Matusz. It's scary how similar their deliveries are.
Posted by: trmahoney01 | April 28, 2011 2:47 PM
"Brian Matusz. It's scary how similar their deliveries are."
Umm ... other than them both being left-handed, this just isn't close to true.
Posted by: wdw | April 28, 2011 3:54 PM
Sam Mcdowell.
Posted by: Michael-Baltimoron in Tennessee | April 28, 2011 5:18 PM
@wdw Evidently you're forgetting what Brian Matusz's delivery looks like. Go look it up before you tell me I'm not telling the truth.
Posted by: trmahoney01 | April 28, 2011 10:49 PM
He reminds me of Jo Jo Lightingspeed and a young Scotty McGregor.
McGregor had great poise and excellent mechanics.
Posted by: Henry Omar 'Dancing Bear' Chance | April 29, 2011 8:54 AM
Stuff and make up reminds me of Mike Hampton when he was healthy
Posted by: John | April 29, 2011 11:47 AM
I don't remember Mike Flanigan throwing sinking fastballs consistantly, but I've got a feeling Zack will have the same level of value to the O's that Flanny had. Flanny was a "rock" who won a Cy Young award. I see the same game face in Zack Britton that I remember seeing in Mike Flanigan
Posted by: greg | April 30, 2011 5:54 AM
....WALLY BUNKER but Britton is righthanded and 4 years older. Wally Bunker won something like 19 games in his rookie year as a teenager. He got a sore arm(elbow) the next year and was never the same pitcher. I hope the Orioles are more cautious with Britton than they were with Bunker.
Posted by: Cecil | April 30, 2011 12:19 PM
Jim Kitty Kaat.
Posted by: Barry | April 30, 2011 10:47 PM
no one I've ever seen before.
Posted by: Tim | May 9, 2011 10:17 AM