Orioles: Liz comes up short
Starter Radhames Liz made his first Grapefruit League start today against the Florida Marlins, but could not get through three innings before hitting his pitch limit. He gave up a run on one hit in the first inning and pitched a scoreless second before allowing the first two batters to reach base in the third. Manager Dave Trembley went out and got him at that point and brought on reliever Ryan Keefer.
It wasn't a terrible outing. Liz gave up two hits and a walk in his second appearance of the exhibition season. He worked two innings in relief against the Marlins on Saturday and gave up a run on three hits.
Scoring update: Matt Wieters gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead with an RBI double down the right field line -- his second hit of the game -- and Lou Montanez has added another run with an RBI single to center. Luke Scott drove in Ryan Freel in the first inning for the first Orioles run of the game.
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Comments
That doesn't look good for Liz considering how much pitching competition there is. Then again it could be a good thing too. His electric live fastball doesn't mean a lick if it's just a max effort walk. He does have one more option so he might have to prove himself at AAA, which may be a good thing for him. It may be psychologically hard for a prospect to get demoted, but I think it's easier to develop away from the public spotlight.
Posted by: Basemonkey | March 5, 2009 2:11 PM
Pete,
If Wieters continues to hit, why not have him on this roster. Do you think bringing up a players too early is a little overblown. If you are good you are GOOD. He the top prospect in baseball.
Posted by: smitty | March 5, 2009 2:22 PM
Liz is going to frustrate you at times.. but for a guy turning 26.. former BA Top 100 prospect... have to let him get extended time in the Majors this year and see what you have.
He really has nothing to prove at the Minor League level.
2008 MLB – 84.1 ip, 99 hits, 57 k’s, 51 walks
2008 Norfolk - 87 ip, 77 hits, 85 k's, 32 walks
2007 Bowie - 137 ip, 101 hits, 161 k's, 70 walks
2006 Frederick - 83 ip, 57 hits, 95 k's, 44 walks
2009 Projected - 22 starts, 8-12, 5.25 ERA, 130 innings, 140 hits, 100 k’s, 80 walks
Posted by: Chris | March 5, 2009 2:44 PM
It feels like we are coming out of an 11-year slumber doesn't it?
Posted by: o's fan in san fran | March 5, 2009 3:40 PM
Why were we ever high on Liz? This guy stinks.
Posted by: KyleProBoller7 | March 5, 2009 4:01 PM
Nice, hard working guy, but strikes me as a re-run of the Daniel Cabrera story. Great stuff with no command. That's why a guy like Brad Bergeson, despite what all the "experts" say, would probably have more sucess than Liz as a starter. If you recall, it was those same expert types that gave away Jamie Moyer cause he didn't have the great fastball. Apparently he didn't need it because he knew how to PITCH.
Posted by: clfrdj | March 5, 2009 10:59 PM