Orioles: Penn on Penn
Hayden Penn isn't complaining about the bad luck he's had over the past few years. Maybe it's part of the growth process, but he is choosing to look at the bigger picture as he prepares for what might be his last, best chance to stick in the major leagues.
It seemed like there was some great cosmic force making sure he didn't get back last year. He was right on the verge of being called up when he was injured by a flying bat shard, then came up with a sore shoulder. Just two more frustrating incidents in a star-crossed career that has reached a crossroads, now that he's out of options.
"I think everything happens for a reason,'' he said today. "I got called up early and got an opportunity, so I guess things even out. It's just part of baseball. Things happen. As weird as it seemed at the time, things happen to a lot of people. Not just me."
So, he's hoping the antidote to his bad run of luck is focus and hard work this spring. He's a candidate for both the rotation and the bullpen, so the opportunity is there for the taking, and the organization clearly wants him to succeed.
"It's coming out here and working my butt off every day,'' he said. "Don't give them or anybody else a reason to hold you back. Come here and leave no doubt for anybody."
Associated Press photo
> 
Comments
hope penntakes the next step this season. he's still young and the orioles sure could use a live arm.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 16, 2009 9:33 AM
Pete,
I don't have the Powerball numbers figured out yet, but here's my prediction for Penn.
Pitches well enough to make the rotation, injured off and on throughout the year. Finishes with 150 innings and an ERA around 4.50. What do you think?
.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I think the O's would settle for that.
Posted by: Rich | February 16, 2009 9:57 AM
He missed basically the entire 2nd half of 2006, and nearly all of 2007, and people wondered why it took most of 2008 for him to adjust.
He showed at the end of 2008 his stuff was back... if you look at what he accomplished in AA, and AAA at ages 20 and 21... he has acheived as much as any Orioles prospect.
He is only 18 months older than Jake Arrieta, who will be going to AA for the first-time this year.
Penn should be a lock to make this team.
Posted by: Chris | February 16, 2009 10:10 AM
How about you & Roch stop blogging about the same thing.
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I really don't know what Roch is up to, so it's probably a coincidence that we have some similar items. And, sometimes, it's just what's going on.
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | February 16, 2009 10:12 AM
I'd love to see Penn become the pitcher that the organization believed he would become when they drafted him, but I have a very strong feeling that this will be his final season with the Orioles and possibly in the majors. I'm als certain that Matt Albers will not pitch a game past June 1.
Posted by: DSpedden | February 16, 2009 10:21 AM
Loving all the updates Schmuckster, it's an added bonus to get to hear about some of the position players this early as well.
Very excited AJ is already down there as well, I'd love to see him take a hold of the #2 spot in the lineup.
Roberts
Jones
Markakis
Huff
Mora
Scott/Wiggington
Zaun
Izturis
Pie
Looks good to me.
Posted by: bms | February 16, 2009 12:57 PM
give him a shot, more upside then the other possibilities.
Posted by: johnnyswift | February 16, 2009 1:32 PM
Lets hope this is his year. It's no secret that the O's sure could use a big pleasant surprise on the pitching front. I can't imagine Albers lasting all season, even if he makes the roatation coming out of ST and Penn has shown signs of being the real deal.
A good spring from Penn could help me gain some of that optimism we're all supposed to have.
Posted by: Roy | February 16, 2009 2:55 PM
Sorry, Penn doesn't have it. It won't take long for Big League hitters to prove it by tattooing this guy just like they did previously when he was called up. He's regressed over the years for some reason.
Posted by: old19fan | February 16, 2009 7:36 PM
Penn is someone I'd really like to see turn it around. I think there is potential for us all to be surprised there.
Good luck Hayden.
Posted by: Doug | February 16, 2009 8:26 PM
Hayden Penn will end up being a terrific major league pitcher. People forget how young the kid is. I've seen his stuff - and it's major league good. I personally won't be suprised if he's one of the best in the rotation by the end of the season.
Posted by: OrioleFanInUtah | March 5, 2009 3:47 PM