With a few Orioles struggling, the question usually goes to who do we bring up? In order to look at that we have to look at how each person is doing at Norfolk. Unfortunately, the Tides look bad and are in last place, but that doesn't mean they are all bad. Here is a look at some of the people we may be seeing in Baltimore this year.
Xavier Avery is hitting .276 with a .364 OBP. This certainly has to be encouraging for the Orioles with Avery showing some plate discipline. The odds of seeing him this year aren't too great with the money tied into Chavez, but it is a possibility. The outfield will probably stay as is though unless Reimold moves to DH if Johnson is sent out.
Everyone else is under a .250 average other than the catchers. Not much chance of seeing any of them with those kinds of stats. The two catchers aren't likely to come up either with what we got in the system.
Ryan Adams has been especially awful hitting .179. Many fans wanted to see him as our everyday second baseman so I am thrilled Buck didn't listen to the fans. Andino is proving Buck to be right and Adams is as well.
The pitchers have been much better other than perhaps the three most important ones. Brad Bergessen is 0-1 with a 8.33 ERA. Not good for someone that thought he was back in form. And the sad thing is Bergessen hasn't been the worst one.
Tsuyoshi Wada has been awful on his rehab assignment. Wada lost his start and has a 20.25 ERA. That is not a misprint, Wada's ERA actually is 20.25. Let's hope Wada gets a lot better before he heads up north.
Chris Tillman has been slightly better than the other two, but not good. Tillman is 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA. He has been the best from that group, but he is far from the best so far in Norfolk.Pat Neshak who didn't give up a run in spring training, still hasn't given up a run. You have got to think Neshak heads north soon. I'd replace Kevin Gregg with Neshak today.
Miguel Gonzalez has also not given up a run. Heck, Gonzalez hasn't given up a hit. He seems to be a guy that came out of nowhere. Are the Orioles really ready for an M.Gonzalez though? If it gets rid of Kevin Gregg, I say heck yes!
Who replaces Matusz if he struggles tonight? Dana Eveland and Jason Berken look like solid choices. Berken hasn't given up a run yet in 9 innings, but has not really been stretched out enough to start in the big leagues. Considering his past success, Berken might be a likely candidate to take over for Gregg as well. Eveland is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA and seems to be the guy to be next in line if Wada isn't ready.
What about Zach Phillips? Phillips has a 2.25 ERA and is still one of the next guys in line.
Here is where I think everyone stands.
Starter who replaces someone for ineffectiveness in order. If Matusz is bad tonight he's in AAA
EvelandWada
Tillman
S.Johnson
Berken
Bullpen replacements, hopefully for Gregg
Neshak
Berken
Phillips
Eveland
Gonzalez
I'd expect some type of move after this road trip.
-Noland
I agree with you that Matusz gets sents down if he continues to pitch like it´s batting practice(maybe two more bad outings, but one if he is atrocious again). And I also agree that Gregg needs to go. If I were to argue in favor of one move right away, it would be Neshak up, Gregg gone.
ReplyDeleteAnd just a note about Andino: I love how he has developed into something of a clutch hitter over the course of (parts of) the end of last season and the start of this season. As my stepfather says, "I´m afraid B. Rob might never come back," (and he qualifies that by adding after a long pause, "...at least not the way he was"). And while this is truly tragic, Andino has really stepped up of late offensively (the defense, obviously, was always there). Funny thing about Andino--they list him at 6´0, 195, when anyone who has seen him play can tell you that he´s about 5´9 or 5´10, 175-180 (if that!). Final thought: It might be very early in the season, but I love how the O´s have been road warriors so far...
100% agree Monty. Especially about Andino and B-rob.
ReplyDeleteI think Neshak has to come up and Gregg cut soon. I mean the bullpen would have so much more versatility and ability to it.
Great points bro.
-Noland