I am quite sure that Tillman will be promoted in-time for the KC series starting 7/27, but I would like to see him Wednesday.
Yes, I understand it is on the road against NY, and everything that brings.
No matter who, or where Tillman makes his ML debut, there is going to be a rush of nerves and adrenaline.
Why essentially tell the player that he should be afraid of NY and or Boston? You want the player to respect the opposition, not tell him you think it might be more than he can handle.
Tillman would be replacing Berken in the rotation.
Tillman does not have to be the player you ultimately project him to be, he just has to be better than Berken, who is 1-7, with a 6.44 era. In 50.1 innings, Berken has allowed 64 hits, 5 homers, 19 walks, with 29 k’s.
7 of Berken’s 10 starts have been exactly 5 innings or less.
Tillman has made 7 consecutive starts of at-least 6 innings.
Tillman is 8-5, with a 2.42 era. In 93 innings, he has allowed 79 hits, 4 homers, 22 walks, with 95 k’s.
Even on the road, making his debut, I believe Tillman represents the best chance for a win Wednesday.
More importantly, 2009 continues to be about development. Part of that development is learning to pitch in hostile environments. If Tillman were to get torched, so what? You keep running him out there every 5th day, and show him confidence by handing him the ball.
Dealing with adversity is also a lesson that many players have to learn.
I want to see Tillman were he is still relatively fresh. In 2008, Tillman pitched 135.2 innings. You want to evaluate Tillman (and let him get his feet wet) when he has something left in his arm, and is not pitching on fumes.
I am looking at Tillman getting another 55-60 innings in 2009, before shutting him down. I would be disappointed if another 15 innings of those 60 cumulative innings were in AAA.
Lastly, if you know Tillman is starting in-place of Berken Wed, you could have Berken available out of the pen the next two nights.
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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.