As I wrote yesterday when he was promoted, while I hated seeing the O’s leave Spring Training in 2009 with Alfredo Simon as part of the rotation, I was happy to see he was coming back to Baltimore to join the pen here in 2010.
Even though I felt he was miscast as a Starter, I always felt bad for the guy that his season was cut down by injury so quickly. You have to feel good for him, for working his way back to the Majors.
Tonight he showed a legitimate power-arm that should really help the bullpen. Having a guy that is capable of pitching multiple innings, and dialing it up to 97 with movement is a strength. Jim Palmer pointed out how his 2-seamer really tied-up Derek Jeter.
It will be interesting to see if he can show better results with his slider with additional work. What I was most impressed with tonight, was the final-out. In his first-night back in the Majors, having watched his short-stop boot a ball that should have ended the game; he was able to get out Alex Rodriguez with the tying run on 3rd-base. Kudos to Simon for not allowing the situation to mentally break him.
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.