Orioles: Baez reborn
Can't say enough about the way Danys Baez has gone about his business since being told late in spring training that he would no longer be a candidate for the starting rotation. He immediately refocused on making a contribution out of the bullpen and has had some success -- today's three-inning performance (no hits, no walks, three strikeouts) a particularly impressive example.
Since I'm not at the ballpark, I took the opportunity to watch him closely from the perspective of the center field camera. The movement on his pitches (when he doesn't try to overthrow) was nasty and his velocity is up into the mid-90s. If he gets proper rest and stays healthy, he could be a valuable middle guy and might even be tradeable at midseason.
That's a lot more than anybody expected after he spent most of training camp trying to get by without his best breaking stuff. Once he trotted that out, he started to look like the guy who has only once in his major league career has allowed more hits than innings in a season.
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Comments
Training camp? Was this during two-a-days?
Posted by: Rosinbagbreath | April 26, 2009 4:13 PM
Yes, a save is a save. But, it bothers me that Sherill isn't fooling anybody. Batters are getting good wood on his pitches. I think we are wasting money throwing it at this guy to be our "closer". Is there anyone in the organization that looks like a promising replacement?
Posted by: Jordan | April 26, 2009 4:24 PM
Glad to see "Fat Tub Of Goo" didn't blow the save.
Posted by: doug | April 26, 2009 5:11 PM
CHRIS RAY SHOULD BE THE CLOSER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: stan | April 26, 2009 5:31 PM
Just coming back from South Jersey and watching the Phillies smack the Marlins, notably Penn getting rocked for 4 runs. But the story in the local paper is about Brad Lidge and the slow start he is having. Think time will tell on Sherill, but I hope the O's give Chris Ray enought time to build up his arm strength and work on the command of his pitches. Think the O's are fortunate to have a potential closer-in-waiting.
Posted by: Chuck in Edgewood | April 26, 2009 6:19 PM
I can't agree more...Sherill doesn't have closer stuff. He doesn't fool anyone hence his 4.73 ERA last year and thus far in 2009 7.2 innings pitched, 10 hits, 2BB, 2HR, 5.87 ERA. I agree Ray is our best option at this point.
Posted by: David Lewis | April 26, 2009 7:27 PM
On a totally unrelated topic, Nolan Reimold hit 2 more HR's today(one was off Rays #1 pitching prospect, David Price - his 2nd of the year off Price). That gives him 6 HR's in 60 AB's in AAA. He's also batting .417. But it's OK that he's stuck in the minors. After all we have Felix(all I can do is hit singles) Pie & his robust .167 batting average in left field
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Pete's reply: Reimold is making it tough, which is what he's supposed to do, but you can't make a direct correlation to major league ball. Pie was one of the great Triple-A players, and look at how hard it is for him. Montanez is up and is struggling to get up to the same speed he was in Triple-A. The game is hard.
Posted by: Steve | April 26, 2009 7:53 PM
Everyone may think I'm crazy, but I'd like to see closer by committee, using whoever is hot. We have 4 potential closers in Sherrill, Baez, Ray and Johnson. Why designate them as 7,8,or 9 inning people.
Posted by: woodieman | April 26, 2009 8:11 PM
No way Sherill should close. Just as bad as Percival is for the Rays.
Posted by: Geno | April 26, 2009 8:24 PM
"[Baez] might even be tradeable at midseason"? Shouldn't we hope the O's have something more positive to hope for, after 19 games, than that we develop talent for the "stronger" teams?
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Pete's reply: Yes, but my job is to be realistic. Your job is to be hopeful.
Posted by: John W. | April 26, 2009 8:33 PM
Of course Baez is heading into a free agent year and decides he wants to pitch, even start. Nothing new.
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Pete's reply: I'm normally pretty cynical, but Baez had Tommy John surgery and he just got back. I think you ought to tip your cap to him. He could have taken his $20 million and gone home. That's a lot of pain and rehab to go through to get back. Give the guy an ounce of credit while he's pitching well. And, if you're one of the guys who were clamoring for him to be released and calling him worthless in spring, this is a really weak way of convincing yourself you were right about him. Man up and give him his due while he's contributing.
Posted by: Josh | April 26, 2009 9:07 PM
Andy MacPhail has added some good parts,but you have to give credit to Flanagan and Duquette for coming up with Baez,Johnson and Ray.Speaking of Flanagan,you would think the O's would find a position somewhere on the club for the guy that Jim Palmer says "knows more about pitching than anyone."
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Pete's reply: I just got done defending Baez, but he wasn't a good signing at that price, so I can't give anybody credit for getting him. I give him credit for fighting back from that injury.
Posted by: Paul | April 26, 2009 9:58 PM
The first three weeks of April does not define a season. Slow down Pete, the heat is getting to you.
Posted by: roger caplan | April 26, 2009 10:11 PM
Baez is terrible. One good outing every 6 does not make him a valuable asset in the bullpen.
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Pete's reply: I believe he has had four good outings out of six.
Posted by: JW | April 27, 2009 8:27 AM
.in response to the comment about Baez being terrible and not an asset to the 'pen..
tell me something ...who is pitching better than him in the middle relief role on Baltimore's team? ....opposing hitters are batting .137 against him he is 1-1...and has an ERA of 3.48....last time i checked that was pretty damn good... oh and he has walked ONE batter in 10 innings....
Posted by: Clint | April 27, 2009 1:49 PM
Chris Ray is not a closer, either. People seem to forget that.
Posted by: Scot from Gettysburg | April 27, 2009 2:02 PM
The O's need a real closer. Keep Baez, Ray and Sherrill in middle relief (and get rid of Johnson).
Find a good starting left fielder, make Wieters the everyday catcher with Moeller or Zaun as backups and get 2 good starting pitchers and we'll be all set. Is it SOOOO difficult to figure out?
Posted by: 2greek | April 27, 2009 11:39 PM