Love the name of your blog!! I look forward to your Orioles coverage!

I'd love to see Montanez get a shot with the big club this year. He's a former 1st round pick, and he's still relatively young. Not to mention, he's absolutely mashing the ball right now. Stick him in left field, move Scott to DH, and let Huff play either 1st or 3rd while giving Mora and Millar some time off. Payton shouldn't see the field at all.

As for Wieters, I'd also love to see him get a cup of coffee in Sept. At the same time, I can understand the O's reasons for not doing so. I'm 50/50 on that one.

Montanez is almost 27 yrs old, why is he still in AA? Shouldn't the O's consider moving him up to AAA or possibly making a jump up to the MLB at the end of August/Sept?

schmuckblog = interesting.

i'll be checking in.

Wieters has been nothing short of incredible and the team is doing the right thing by leaving him in Bowie this season. Someone asked about his defense. All indications are that he handles pitchers very well and he threw out something like 46% would be base stealers while at Frederick.

Pete, I keep reading and hearing Wieters won't be in the majors anytime soon. I think that is a mistake. A guy hitting .350 in AA probably can hit major league pitching. I would bring him up in September for a taste of the big leagues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Walt, I'm just as anxious to see him as you, but I think the O's are right to be careful with him. I doubt he'll come up in September. pete

Pete, I keep reading and hearing Wieters won't be in the majors anytime soon. I think that is a mistake. A guy hitting .350 in AA probably can hit major league pitching. I would bring him up in September for a taste of the big leagues.
Walt

Pete, love the weekend talkshows.

What does Montanez have to do to get a call up? Why does the organization get caught up with guys like Bynum and Fahey when they have guys that are actually producing in the minor leagues?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew, as you can see by some of the more skeptical posts about Montanez, he's an older prospect who hasn't really impressed until this year. pete

To a degree, I appreciate the perspective of leaving guys in the minors so they can enjoy success. . . but sometimes, there are special players who don't need that success. Is there some thought that Wieters has a fragile psyche? If there isn't, then I don't get it. He looks too good - and too confident in himself - not to bring him up when rosters expand. I liked Earl Weaver's approach with Eddie Murray when he came up and unexpectedly remained with the team, i.e., he got a hit today so he'll be in the lineup tomorrow. Besides, Ramon H. isn't the answer.

I still say move Wieters to AAA. He has already proved that he can hit AA pitchers. I guess the only reason for not moving him would be his handling-of-pitchers skills. Does any have a read on how he is doing in handling pitchers?

I love wieters but i agree he won't be up this season (although i'd love to see him) but do you think Montanez or Reimold will get a call up even though we have a solid outfield? They are both healthy and tearing up AA and have a lot of pop

I can't wait to see Weiters in an O's uniform. That being said, there's no need to rush him. Start him next year in AA, see if he progresses enough to move to AAA and maybe a September call up and go from there.

Is the replacement for Roch's blog? I didn't know you had posts already. Anyway, why should we not see Wieters at the beginning of next season? There is no reason not to bring him up and trade Ramon for sweatsocks or couple of 12 packs of Natty Bo.

I believe we will see Weiters in September. I know they don't want to rush him, but he has been ridiculous. Any other organization would have him in the majors NOW! This team continues to over achieve, but still have a long way to go to return to prominence.

The O's strongly need to consider making some moves on the pitching staff. I don't want to rush anyone, but come on. Everyone other than Guthrie and Cabrera has been awful. ERA speaks louder than # of wins by a starter.

Bring up Luis Montanez, he deserves a shot!

Good start to your blog, Schmuck. I'm sure it will take some getting used to. Starting your posts at 7 AM and finishing close to 10 PM at times. Its a tough job.

You have big shoes to fill; but I'm sure you will do well. I've always enjoyed your editorials. Keep up the good work.

OK, so what is the deal with Montanez? His numbers are ridiculous at Bowie. Is he a prospect? Or is he an older guy who's been around, has shown he can dominate at the AA (or AAA) level, but isn't a real threat in the Bigs. Has he been in the Bigs before?

Bring Montanez up!

You'll be sorry you started this blog Schmucker. 24/7 without any more pay with all of your other responsibilities.
We'll miss Roch but you will be welcomed here based upon your good work with The Sun and your excellent radio show. Keep us informed!

Matt will be in the 2009 All-Star Game. Living in Atlanta, I have seen him play 22 times (Ga. Tech) He is going to be the next Johnny Bench. In 2009, he has to be playing at Camden Yards.

There seems to be some sort of tension between you and your new readers... which isn't really your fault. I'm noticing from the comments that it isn't really that you aren't writing well, aren't displaying a witty sense of humor-- you just aren't Roch.

I think you'll find that your stepson audience will treat you like "dad's new wife", or their San Francisco to your Steve Young-- Roch, Mom and Montana could do no wrong and you just can't ever fully replace them, even if you do win the Superbowl.

Keep up the good work anway Pete, critics tend to be the most vocal. -GS

Montanez is not a prospect, people.

Its nice getting an actual reply from Peter.

The Orioles should not bring Weiters up this year. As much as I would love to see him, his body is not used to a 162 game schedule right now. The most he played in college was probably 50 or 60 games. You have to break him in slowly, especially at the catcher position.

"Montanez is almost 27 yrs old, why is he still in AA? Shouldn't the O's consider moving him up to AAA...?"

He's been up to AAA a couple times before after raking in AA and just completely floundering in higher level ball.

That said, I can think of a couple reasons to keep him and Wieters and Reimold in Bowie: They are trying to win a title for the Eastern league on the backs of 4 very strong pitchers. It's very possible and I just don't think the front office sees the necessity of pulling out any of the keystones.

But Reimold is ready to come up here, and I'd like to Reimold platoon LF/DH with Scott while Huff mans 1B in 2009. I wouldn't do anything with Montanez in MLB until he can show in 2009 he can hack it at the AAA level.

I'm a little surprised neither Reimold nor Montanez were pushed up to Norfolf after the All Star break. I'm skeptical about a 27 year old's break out numbers in AA, where he's had a lot more baseball experience and tiem to physically mature than most of the league. That's the type of guy who you should have at AAA against similar players. As for Reimold, maybe they just want to give him a whole year at one level and let him consolidate his progress. His June was definitely worse than May or July, so maybe that factored into the call. He really cut back on Ks this year without losing his ability to walk or hit home runs (I throw out April), so he looks like he's back on schedule for a serious push in Spring training.

hey thanks for the news, peter! please keep us posted.

i think weiters needs to stay in bowie to grow with other youngsters down there. help build a sense of unity that will begin to reach majors in mid 09.

OK, so what is the deal with Montanez? His numbers are ridiculous at Bowie. Is he a prospect? Or is he an older guy who's been around, has shown he can dominate at the AA (or AAA) level, but isn't a real threat in the Bigs. Has he been in the Bigs before?"

he hasn;'t done much in his two stints in AAA

1. to the guy who asked why the obsession with Fahey and Bynum and none with Montanez . . . we NEED a SS. We should be obsessed with anyone who might be an improvement at short. 1B/LF/DH we are competent
2.Nothing to gain by bringing Wieters up now. Let him play with the pitchers we expect him to pitch to for the next decade, most of whom are at Bowie or lower. Let them get to know each other, get used to winning together. Go to the playoffs together and then come up together.

Keep in mind, montanez is only 26 years old. He obviously won't be the answer, but he could definetly bring some pop to the plate if given AB's. His AA numbers are too good to dismiss.

i miss roch. i like schmuck, but i miss roch...

...........................................................Me too. Pete

I believe Montanez was the 3rd overall pick as a shortstop the year he was drafted by the MacPhail led Cubs...He crushed the ball the night I saw him...I saw Wieters play this week at Bowie...he was loose and laughing with the ump...hit with power from both sides of the plate...crushed the ball every at bat...Made several very good throws...If he isn't the real deal I'll be surprised beyond belief...He put a smile on his ex-big leaguer manager Brad Komminsk face each at bat...

Any thought of moving Montanez back to the infield? I know he struggled there but we are desperate.

Montanez was the Cubs 1st round pick (3rd overall) in 2000. He came into the league as an 18 year old shortstop but struggled. He was switched to the outfield by the Cubs in 2006. He played at the AAA level in 2006 and 2007 and and played okay, not great. My guess is that the Orioles are pretty happy with his performance at AA but are scared to move him to AAA given his previous performance there. I just wish he had not given up on being a shortstop.

This is my first post. I am glad to be a part of Pete's blog. I attend Baysox games regularly. That team has some good players on it. Weiters, Reimold, Tillman, Bergensen, and of course my favorite, Montanez. I agree with keeping these guys together at least until the end of the season and possibly a chance at a championship except for Montanez. I would like to see Montanez called up in Sept. He could be what we are looking for to replace Payton.

..............................................................................................
James, welcome to the blog. I'm new, too. I would guess Montanez will get up in September, if not sooner. Can't hurt to look. pete