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While the Orioles are trying to figure out who will be the starting staff for the beginning of the season, rest assured that those problems could soon be a thing of the past.
It was great to come into spring training this year and see some of the best pitching talent we have had since the hay days of this organization.
Palmer, McNally, Cuellar, and Dobson and then Flanagan, McGregor, Martinez, Davis etc. were an endless line of not just average or good, but great pitchers who took the ball and gave you their all day after day 'till the season came to an end.
Well as I see it, there is a possibility of seeing it once again in the likes of Arrieta, Matusz, Tillman and Bergesen; throw in a few relief pitchers like Wilfredo Perez, the equal to a Tippy Martinez, a Mickolio and McCrory and there we are.
Finally, not just one or two guys to hope for but seven or eight very good young pitchers to pick from. For now, we probably wont see any one of them on Opening Day but it wont be long before they, barring any injury, will be the dream staff of the Big East.
Arrieta already possesses the mechanics to rival any big leaguer. It's just a matter of time and innings to get him enough experience to handle the load.
Matusz is already polished from a good college program to step right in and be a factor, but it would be better to take no chances yet and give him some minor league time to prove it to himself first. He may start out at A-Ball, but he will move fast up the ladder and catch the others quickly.
Tillman is the sleeper; he has a quiet demeanor, but a sneaky quick fastball that has bang and bite to it.
Bergesen has impressed already with his tenacious ability to keep it in the strike zone, and he also possesses four commanded pitches that he can use in any count. Don't be fooled by his baby face--he's a bulldog in sheeps clothing.
For me, it's just a matter of keeping them all focused and on a consistent program to develop the ability to go INNINGS.
If these four very talented pitchers can get to the Major Leagues and give us a minimum 25 starts a season, we're back in the race. GODSPEED!
