Lone man in the press box
I knew it was going to be an early morning. I just didn’t know it would be this early.
I’m heading to the clubhouse to see whether manager Dave Trembley has chosen a pitcher to replace Jeremy Guthrie, and whether he’ll go situational on us or find someone who can give him multiple innings because he has another game to play.Down on the farm, Jake Arrieta made his final start for Single-A Frederick last night before joining Team USA, tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out eight.
Brad Bergesen won his 12th game for Double-A Bowie, one short of the franchise record. Rain halted play after 4 ½ innings. Bergesen retired the first nine batters he faced on 30 pitches. He allowed two hits before umpires stopped the game.“Bergy pretty much had it going right from the get-go. I could tell down in the bullpen,” Baysox pitching coach Mike Griffin said. “You know, I can usually tell what kind of possible start we could have when the starter’s warming up out there. Something told me from his demeanor on the mound warming up in the bullpen and the way he was finishing.”
Single-A Delmarva’s Sean Gleason, a 20th-round pick in last year’s draft, tossed a complete-game shutout yesterday, allowing only two hits in a 3-0 win over Hickory. He faced one batter over the minimum. Gleason posted a 2.93 ERA last year at Bluefield.
Need more proof that there’s a big difference between Triple-A baseball and the majors? Freddie Bynum batted sixth last night for Norfolk, going 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Comments
Since folks are talking about Rasmus here is an update from MiLB.com:
"Colby Rasmus, widely considered as the top Minor League prospect in the organization, learned he has a Grade I medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee after undergoing an MRI on Wednesday. He damaged the knee in the bottom of the first inning while playing center field Tuesday night."
He will miss at least a month and will not be going to the Olympics.
Posted by: Jeff V | July 24, 2008 9:23 AM
Now that Posada's hurt, is there any possibility of trading Ramon Hernandez to the Yankees? He cost Baltimore two more runs last night. He looks like crap behind the plate. Possibly the laziest ballplayer I've ever seen.
Posted by: Burgess | July 24, 2008 9:37 AM
I like the idea of getting Colby Rasmus for George Sherrill and Brian Roberts. Closers are way overvalued, and Roberts will only be here for one more year. Rasmus is 21 and has not yet played in the majors. He bats lefty, which helps at OPACY, and in addition to having great power for his age, he also plays great defense in centerfield, draws walks, and steals bases. This would be a case of buying low and selling high for the O's, and they'd be nuts not to take it.
Posted by: Dave | July 24, 2008 9:42 AM
I'm extremely excited about Arrieta. I hope he does great in the Olympics and that we see him in the Majors soon. I don't know if you caught it Roch, but I posted a few blogs ago...how is Butler doing, the other pitcher in the Bedard trade (that was his name right?) And also what are Scott Moore's numbers in AAA?
Posted by: jj | July 24, 2008 9:57 AM
So Bynum is terrible in the minors, too. Why am I not surprised? He reminds me of Manny Alexander, no business being in the majors.
Why doesn't Trembley consider Bergesen as a candidate to come up? 30 pitches in three innings is a heckuva lot better than 100+ pitches in five innings, and he can't do much worse than who we have now...And if he's afraid of letting Bergesen start, stick him in the bullpen as a long reliever for a while!
Posted by: AnotherBrian | July 24, 2008 10:01 AM
Has anyone heard any rumors of the O's making any trades? I know there has been a lot of talk about Sherrill getting shipped out...just curious if there has been any names kicked around.
Posted by: nell carter | July 24, 2008 10:02 AM
Roch, how is Bynum going 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts any different than what he did at the ML level? Yes, that 200 average is a little higher.
Posted by: Mike | July 24, 2008 10:07 AM
"Need more proof that there’s a big difference between Triple-A baseball and the majors? Freddie Bynum batted sixth last night for Norfolk, going 1-for-5 with two strikeouts."
Roch I am guessing you were being scarcastic with your last comment? In the majors, Freddie might be batting 9th, but he would still go 1-5 or even 0-5 with 3 or 4 strikeouts...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
My point was he batted 6th in the International League. - Roch
Posted by: Bill | July 24, 2008 10:17 AM
Sounds like "Bergy" is ready to be bumped up to AAA. I've been to Bowie twice this season and both times it happened to be Tillman pitching so I haven't seen him, but it appears as though AA hitters are not much of a challenge for Bergesen.
I think Trembley should go with Cormier to pick up where Guthrie left off. With the exception of an off outing here and there he's been one of the more dependable pieces in the bullpen since he joined...and he has the ability to possibly go the distance for the remainder of game one saving the bullpen for situational use in game 2, if needed. That would be my call, but I don't get to manage baseball teams...I just get to comment on blogs while I'm waiting to leave work early for ballgames.
Posted by: Tracy | July 24, 2008 10:20 AM
There early to sign your new MASN contract?? LOL
Go O's, its a beautiful day, lets play 2 !!!
Posted by: JWBBZ | July 24, 2008 10:34 AM
The only difference between Triple-A and the majors that I can see from your comment is that Bynum was batting 6th. Unfortunately, the results look very similar to what we saw from Freddie when he was up with the big club.
Posted by: Baroquen131 | July 24, 2008 11:03 AM
Or is there just a big difference between Freddie Bynum and a actual major leaguer?
Posted by: Capella | July 24, 2008 11:10 AM
Fredy is hitting .200 and striking out 40% of his at bats with no walks....last night
major league career averages.. .234
108 K in 351 AB (30%)....16 career walks
I believe that his cup of coffee in the majors is now empty.
Posted by: dlighty | July 24, 2008 11:18 AM
Roberts and Sherrill for Rasmus? Two major league all stars for someone who has never played in a major league game? Heck, why don't we just see how Albert Bell's hip is doing?
Posted by: Mike Z | July 24, 2008 5:38 PM