Pete,

Thanks for the updates and thank god for spring training. Baseball is back!!!

I'm glad Arietta is feeling confident. But, is there a chance that he's not mentally ready to take the next step? Maybe it's just from the quotes that are listed here. Personally, I hope he starts the year at AAA to really make sure he's as ready as possible when he come up.

Besides, if he thinks the Triple "I will swing at David Hernandez's fastball no matter where he puts it" A hitters are patient, just wait till he shows up at the big leagues.

Looking forward to more news as the days go on.

Eternally Envious,
eb

The hitters at AAA tend to ignore breaking balls as many pitchers who throw them accurately and consistently aren't in AAA.

I think Arrieta will make the adjustments necessary and his style will translate into the majors nicely -- in time. Maybe even this year.

He is a bright spot that doesn't require blinders or blind faith.

Hype

Pete,

Got to disagree on Washburn. Goes against the philosophy of grow the arms buy the bats.

I'd rather take any money that would go to Washburn and work like crazy to acquire a significant shortstop prospect since Isturiz contract ends this year. We've Arrieta, Berken, Hernandez, and Britton in the pipeline. Washburn seems to only excel in a pitcher's park. A flyball pitcher like him won/t do well at Camden Yards. Seems overpriced and on the decline. Wish we'd signed Sano but water under the bridge.

Any word on if the O's are "seriously" interested in the Cuban shortstop who defected?

I disagree old Wayne (Anonymous)

He is a legitimate prospect and in a lot of circles he is rated just behind Matusz!

I saw him pitch twice last year. Once was a rain-shortened complete game (shutout, I think) at Bowie. The other was at Norfolk several weeks later. The Tides won but I don't remember if Arrieta got the win. He pitched very well in 6-plus to seven innings worth of work.

I like the way he goes about his business.

I like the Idea of Washburn as another arm to help solidify the rotation AND as part of the rebuilding process. Bring him in let him pitch, trade deadline rolls around and we can get another prospect or two.

Hey, wayne, how ya been?

Long time, no disagreement(at least that I've seen.)

Totally agree on Arrieta. Major prospect, let's hope he pans out.

Good to hear from, you make my life interesting! :-)

Ken
thats sad

The mans has marbles, I like that. I'd like to see what Arrieta can do when he's ready.

What's wrong, anon, you upset because you don't make my interesting? At least wayne can make a sentient point now and again, haven't noticed that from you.

Fire Trembley, Fire Arrieta, Fire Juan Samuel.

Some Oriole coaches think Arrieta could be a great closer like Jon Papelbon

Like the confidence and the recognition. The biggest adjustment these kid pitchers have to make when they get to the show is to NOT change anything that got them there. Go after the hitters, cause they're mostly not gonna swing at crap that minor league hitters will. I loved Matusz before the yankee start last year when he said something like "I watched myself on film and didn't recognize the guy...you're gonna see a different pitcher" and went out and through 7 innings of not a lot of hits ball. He went after the batters early, so he could finish the AB with his pitch. I'd like to see a little more competition for the starting 5. However, what they have now is miles ahead of what they had last year.

"They're making adjustments and I didn't adjust as well."
We shall see who is making the adjustments this year and who has not learned the lesson. This will decide the fate of our youngs guns this year. Adjustment.

Olney Orge...

Lets hope he's like Papelbon and can get away with fastballs for strikes a foot off the corner of the plate just because he's PAPELBON!!!