Turned 24 on October 13th… his domination of AA, and AAA at ages 20, and 21 are just as impressive as anyone in the organization…
Out of options, does he make the team… ?
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe…den-penn.shtml
2005 AA Age 20 7-6 3.83 ERA 110.1 IP 101 hits 120 k’s 37 walks 11 homers
2006 AAA Age 21 7-4 2.26 ERA 87.2 IP 71 hits 85 k’s 27 walks 5 homers
To me, he should be handed a job in our bullpen to start 2009, regardless of performance. Giving up on his arm, at his age, would be a mistake.
He can be a guy that can stretch, and be a similar swing guy to what Albers was in 2008… with the potential to grab a rotation job by mid-season.
After missing most of the 2nd half of 2006, and nearly all of 2007… 2008 was basically about pitching every 5th day, and finding his stuff again…
He had some set-backs, but he was able to log 100 more AAA innings, and find his stuff by season end.
I am very optimistic about his chances to be a weapon out of the pen in 2009, and fairly optimistic he could help the rotation at some point during the year.
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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.