It is not a secret, that Tampa’s rotation is stacked.
They were able to trade away Edwin Jackson who won 14 games in 2008, and send the best pitching prospect in the game – David Price – back to the Minors this Spring.
The battle for the 5th starter is between right-handed pitchers Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann.
Both are out of options, and there is speculation that the loser will not make the bullpen.
That means, Tampa either trades the ‘loser’, or puts them on waivers.
In either case, should the O’s make a play for one of them?
Jason Hammel
9/2/82
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/Jason-Hammel.shtml
2006 – #79 in Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect List
2008 MLB – 4-4, 4.60 era, 40 games, 5 starts, 78.1 IP, 83 hits, 44 k’s, 35 walks
2007 AAA – 4-5, 3.42 era, 76.1 IP, 61 hits, 75 k’s, 28 walks
Jeff Neimann
2/28/83
6’9, 260
2004 1st round pick
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/N/Jeff-Niemann.shtml
2008 – #99 in Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect List
2008 AAA – 9-5, 3.49 era, 133 innings, 101 hits, 128 k’s, 50 walks
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.