Baltimore Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail announced last-night that Matt Wieters would be making his Major League Debut this Friday at home.
With apologies to Phil Collins, every Oriole fan should have been able to feel it in the air last night – this was the announcement of the dawn of a new day for the organization.
You might find that a bizarre comment to make with the Orioles in last-place; but make no mistake, the O’s have turned a significant corner as a franchise.
The rays of light at the end of this tunnel are not just because of Wieters impending arrival, but because of who he is joining. Combined with Markakis, and Jones, and Roberts… the O’s have a long-term positional core to build around.
When you consider the O’s might have additional long-term answers at LF, DH, and 1st with Reimold, Scott, and Brandon Snyder… there are even more reasons for optimism.
The O’s were able to obtain Rich Hill for nothing, and with his stuff, he could be a rotation fixture for several years.
Brad Bergesen is in the rotation, and is being competitive. Jason Berken made his Major League debut last night, and showed he was a tremendous improvement over Eaton, as he earned his first win. David Hernandez will be starting for the Orioles tomorrow, coming off a scintillating performance for AAA Norfolk.
Those 3 are marked improvements over what the Organization has been able to produce for years, and none of the three are likely to be in the 2010 Opening Day rotation.
What Troy Patton has done at AA Bowie so far this year is remarkable. To miss a year with a torn-labrum, and to be this consistent, this early in 2009 is extremely encouraging.
Chris Tillman is producing in AAA as a 21 year-old. Jake Arrieta is building off his experiences at Frederick, and the Olympic team last year, to terrorize the Eastern League.
Brian Matusz is rounding into shape, and getting a lot of K’s, as A ball hitters can not handle his off-speed offerings.
Tillman, Arrieta, and Matusz each figure to be in the O’s rotation by June 2010.
The O’s get the opportunity to potentially add another long-term piece in the upcoming June Draft.
They also have a number of players on the roster, that could bring back other valuable assets via trade; to augument the existing youth you want to move forward with.
Not everything with the Organization has been fixed, but anyone that does not see the positives that exist with the Franchise, are not paying attention.
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.