Farm freshness (updated)
Bowie's Brad Bergesen pitched another strong six innings last night, giving up just two runs on four hits, but came up on the wrong end of a 2-1 decision to fall to 15-4. Still waiting to see whether he gets a call this week to fill Friday's slot in the rotation.
The Triple-A pitcher on turn for that night is Brian Burres, who gave up just three hits over six innings in Norfolk's 4-3 victory over Charlotte. Burres has an 0.82 ERA in two minor league starts. The Orioles could go back to Burres, but you would think at this point Dave Trembley would like to see a new face in his beleaguered rotation.
While we're on the subject of Orioles pitchers who have gone back to the minors and not suffered a letdown, congratulations are due to Radhames Liz, who was named International League Pitcher of the Week (Aug. 11-17). He gave up one run over 14 innings in two starts for the Tides.
Plenty of solid starting performances last night in the Orioles system. Frederick Keys starter Tim Bascom also pitched six innings last night and gave up just three hits in a 10-5 win over the Kinston Indians. Chris Vinyard had a home run in the game.
Comments
Just when I thought we had a lot of talented young pitching, ANOTHER guy surfaces!?!?!??
Where'd this "Brian Bergesen" come from?
Posted by: Steve | August 18, 2008 8:53 AM
Peter -
No, don't send Brian Burres back up. He only has 2 minor league starts since returning. He needs probably 10 or so before we recall him. You also didn't mention that Burres gave up a run in the first inning. That would be the 60th time if he did that with the Orioles as in giving up first-inning runs. I want to see him stop doing that for a moderate-sized time.
0.82? That's nice. But my question is, why can't he do that with the Orioles?
After seeing the rotation just be in shambles, except Guthrie - I want a new face. That face is Brad Bergesen.
Posted by: Ben W | August 18, 2008 9:14 AM
The decision to bring up Bergesen should be a no brainer. I wouldn't mind seeing Burres in the bullpen. Also David Hernandez from Bowie might deserve a shot. He has a 2.59 ERA with 150 strikeouts.
Posted by: Kevin from Baltimore | August 18, 2008 9:44 AM
Hey Pete,
What are your thoughts on Hayden Penn. Do you think the ship has sailed on him and the Orioles should part ways or should the organization wait until spring training?
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Pete's reply: I'll wait and see how this shoulder thing goes.
Posted by: Kevin from Baltimore | August 18, 2008 9:51 AM
Pete
I thought the plan was to send Brian Burres back to AAA to work as a middle or long reliever. Did I not read this at the time of his demotion?
Posted by: Billy O'Dell | August 18, 2008 10:00 AM
Pete,
Can you explain September call-ups? I'm pretty sure I understand but if I have it right then why would you waste a call-up for Bergesen now instead of waiting two more weeks. I know our starters are absolutely horrid (with an obvious exception, maybe two) but we are rebuilding. We can not lose site of that goal, despite our recent success.
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Pete's reply: The roster limit is 25 until September 1. After that, anyone on the 40-man roster can be added to the major league team. With a Bergeson, I don't know if it makes any difference, option-wise. I'll have to check on that.
Posted by: Slim Charles | August 18, 2008 10:20 AM
Dump Castillo, move Sarfate to the pen and skip Olson. He looks totally lost out there.
Though Bergeson, as well as Tillman and Hernandez, deserve a "look", my guess is that Liz gets called back before Bergeson. The Baysox are in the playoffs and AM may not want to mess with their team. Also, it'd give them a taste of playoff pressure. Plus Liz can be brought back w/o using up another option.
Posted by: daydreamer | August 18, 2008 10:27 AM
My guess is that it will be Liz, not Bergeson, to take the spot in the rotation. Move Sarfate to the pen, cut Castillo and skip Olson, who looks totally lost. And it would not use up an option on Bergeson while it costs the O's nothing to call Liz back.
Though Bergeson, as well as Tillman and Hernandez, has earned a shot, the Baysox are in the playoffs. AM may not want to mess that up with a promotion, as well as let them get a taste of playoff pressure.
Posted by: daydreamer | August 18, 2008 10:33 AM
LHB are hitting .304 against BB. How bad might it get at the major league level? It is obvious he has work to do so why the rush? It's not that any of our rising AA pitchers have enough experience but there are probably better options than Bergesen if we want to try our luck once again.
If the choice were limited to B Bergesen, D Hernandez and Berken, Berken is probably the guy I would call on. He's the eldest at 24 which one would hope adds a level of maturity to help him get through any rough patches. His K/BB ratio is solid 3/1. He's not a finesse guy like BB nor is he a power guy like DH.
Berken is not a perfect choice but no one at the AA level is at this time. In the end I think he's the safest choice to help out in Baltimore.
Posted by: mick | August 18, 2008 11:06 AM
I hope you realize by now it's Brad, not Brian, Bergeson.
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Pete's reply: This has become one of those weird mental things, which shouldn't surprise anyone who knows I have a weird mind. I've called him Brian about four times in this blog and it's starting to freak me out. I corrected that. I think, just to be safe, I'll never mention him again. He apparently is not coming up soon anyway.
Posted by: Pikesville Ken | August 18, 2008 11:41 PM
Bergeson is going to be the best pitcher in O's history....geez, stop overhyping these kids people. This guy has very pedestrian stuff. He is very Burress like.
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | August 19, 2008 7:48 AM