Both returned to the Majors yesterday, and both were immediately put into action and just lambasted in Texas.

Of course today, you see a lot of reactionary opinions from Oriole fans eliminating these two as players that can help the organization going forward.

I like both of these players, and am looking for each of them getting an extended opportunity during the 2009 season.

Matt Albers was the 2006 Texas League Pitcher of the Year…. A former Baseball America Top 100 prospect… honestly, I do think that he could be a solid back-end starter… if he can consistently keep the ball down and get grounders.

That said, with essentially only 2 pitchers, I agree with the organization that he is better suited for the bullpen.

Bullpen or not, you want see improvement in his control, and a K rate that more closely resembles his AA, and AAA numbers.

Based on Trembley’s comments all Winter that Trembley wanted Albers to start in the 2009 season; to avoid the wear and tear of a relief pitcher… I anticipated Albers starting for the O’s into June/July of this year.

My projections for Albers 2009 season were: 18 starts, 6-9, 4.65 ERA, 120 innings, 130 hits, 85 k’s, 50 walks

Albers – Turned 26, on January 20th
2008 – 49 IP, 43 hits, 4 HR, 22 walks, 26 k’s, 3-3, 3.49 ERA
2007 MLB – 110.2 IP, 127 hits, 18 HR, 50 walks, 71 k’s, 4-11, 5.86 ERA
2007 AAA – 53 IP, 50 hits, 6 HR, 22 walks, 43 k’s, 2-3, 3.74 ERA
2006 AA – 116 IP, 96 hits, 4 HR, 47 walks, 95 k’s, 10-2, 2.17 ERA

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe…w-albers.shtml

Obviously, Albers is not going to get 18 starts… is not going to get 120 innings… last year, prior to his injury… he was an extremely effective 7inning guy, turning the ball over to Johnson in the 8th. This year… with Johnson, Ray, and Sherrill… Albers’ is not going to get a lot of opportunities in the later innings… it will be interesting to see what role Trembley and Kranitz develops for him. A 5th and 6th inning guy for the 4th and 5th starters?

Liz started 17 games for the Orioles in 2008, and was competitive in 9… dominated AA, and was successful in AAA… While I thought he too would wind-up in the bullpen, I also wanted him to start the year in the rotation. His biggest issue remains his mechanics… which was again on display night, and extremely frustrating to see last night.

You can understand that getting the call to the majors, flying across the country to join the O’s, and being put into a game right away could lead to a tough-outing… … him not being able to repeat mechanics pitch to pitch is not acceptable though.

At least in the bullpen, he is working less innings at a time, and it is less of an overall issue.

Since Liz is younger, and had achieved more at higher levels vs. Simon… I thought Liz would get the opportunity to start for a large-portion of the 2009 season.

My projections for Liz’s 2009 season were: 22 starts, 8-12, 5.25 ERA, 130 innings, 140 hits, 100 k’s, 80 walks

Liz – Turns 26, on June 8th
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

Ok, he is not going to get the starts…. But he should remain with the team all year, and should be a guy that can provide 100 innings out of the bullpen this year… and work towards being positioned as a late-inning guy later.

Liz’s best 2008 starts
9/19 – 6.1ip, 8hits, 3er, 3bb, 1k
9/14 – 8ip, 0er, 5hits, 1bb, 4k’s
8/27 – 5.2ip, 2er, 3hits, 5bb, 3k’s
7/21 – 5.2ip, 3er, 5hits, 6bb, 4k’s
7/1 – 6ip, 3er, 7hits, 1bb, 4k’s
6/26 – 5ip, 2er, 4hits, 4bb, 4k’s
6/14 – 6.1ip, 4er, 4hits, 1bb, 5k’s
6/8 – 5ip, 2er, 4hits, 3bb, 3k’s
6/3 – 5.1ip, 2er, 4hits, 1bb, 4k’s

Watch and listen to the people around town that write these two guys off the next few days… and take note, and feel free to hold me accountable for saying I believe both will help this team during the 2009 season.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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