After returning to Norfolk for two-starts, Chris Tillman is again back in a Baltimore uniform. Tonight Tillman will face Texas’ newly acquired Cliff Lee, as he makes his 5th Major League start of 2010, and 17th of his career.
Has Tillman officially seen the end of AAA?
After throwing a shut-out on the 5th, Tillman’s 2010 AAA numbers are:
8-4, 2.72 era, 79.1 ip, 65 hits, 7 homers, 17 bb’s, 60 k’s, .223 batting average against.
In his last 10 starts in AAA, he has a 1.94 era, has allowed just 48 hits in 69.2 innings, and has held hitters to a .194 baa.
The O’s did not have to promote Tillman for this start, but the fact that they did is rather interesting. When Tillman was sent back down, there was an abundance of talk about him having to work on his 2-seamer, and cutter. Is that work done after 2 starts? Or has the Front Office decided that with the O’s 32 games under .500 they probably need to find regular Major League innings for the guy that has dominated AAA?
The things people have seen and disliked out of Tillman during his initial 16 Major League starts, I have seen as well. There has been inconsistent velocity and movement, too much pitching up in the zone, unwillingness to regularly challenge hitters or use his change-up, and problems with finishing a hitter off once ahead.
I also saw repeatable mechanics, a guy capable of muscling-up and hitting 93-94 on the black. I saw a guy with a developing change, and a curve that could become devastating. I saw a guy that was pitching last 9/11 in NY with Jeter trying to set a franchise record for hits. I saw him get knocked around in the first, but finding the poise to provide a quality start and keep his team in the game. I saw him pitch a game in Toronto where he had nothing (to the point people questioned his health due his extremely minimal velocity) and again keep the O’s in the game.
I believe in the guy, and see lots to like beyond his age and numbers in the Minors. I hope the O’s, and Oriole fans are willing to watch Tillman get an extended run of starts at the Major League level. Instead of looking at each of his starts, sit-back a bit and watch the starts in terms of months (or even a year or two) at a time. Basically where you sat back and looked for improvement and greater consistency month-to-month, and year-to-year.
Of course for Tillman to stay-up, someone (Millwood when he comes off the DL) has to be moved from the rotation. With the All-Star break coming, Tillman could go 10 days between starts. It will be interesting to see after today if he is sent back down, or stays in the O’s bullpen.
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.