Orioles Get A Blast From the Past (More Than Once Today)

The Baltimore Orioles truly had a blast from the past today. First, they drafted the son of one of their greatest all-time players. In the 20th round, the Orioles selected 1B Ryan Ripken who yes is Cal's boy. The same Ryan Ripken that was at Camden when Cal broke the streak. Ripken has a scholarship offer to South Carolina, so it is unclear if he will go to the Orioles organization, but it should be interesting to watch. This one has to make most O's fans feel old and many have a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Classy move by the O's and possibly a good baseball move as well.

In another blast from the past, the Orioles just signed left handed pitcher Jaime Moyer to a minor league contract. Moyer will start Saturday for the Norfolk Tides, and the way this team is pitching will be up in the bigs extremely soon. Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

-Noland

More Oriole Roster Moves

The Baltimore Orioles are now in a tie with the Tampa Bay Rays for 1st place in the AL East. This is partially because Tommy Hunter has been awful lately to lose the Orioles the best record in baseball. During his last start he couldn't get past the 4th inning. Because of his poor pitching, the Orioles optioned Hunter today. It is the 2nd time this season that Hunter has been optioned. The first time Hunter was optioned he didn't actually go to Norfolk because another player went on the DL so he was recalled. This time he is going down and there is no telling how long he will be down there.

Recalled in Hunter's place is Miguel Gonzalez. The pitcher was not on the Orioles 40 man roster, but with the roster at 39, Gonzalez was simply added. He signed with the Orioles as a minor league free agent February 28th. Last year he was with the Red Sox pitching in Single A, Double A, and Triple A. Through 5 minor league seasons Gonzalez was 18-22 with a 3.92 ERA. This season though Gonzalez has been much better pitching to a 2-1 record with one save and a 1.50 ERA. He was as deserving as anybody of a promotion.

In addition to that, Endy Chavez is on his way back off the disabled list. Unfortunately, for Xavier Avery, that means Avery is on his way out. Avery started out amazingly with the birds, but has cooled as of late. He is in a 3-30 slump and was 0-3 with 3 strikeouts last night. If you asked me last week if I would be upset with Avery being sent out I would have said yes. However, now I say that since Chavez is back it is ok. Probably better for Avery to get the extra work at Norfolk. If Reimold is done for the year though, I would not keep Avery down for too long.

-Noland

Who Has The Best Record in Baseball?

It would be the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles are 19-9 behind the best bullpen in baseball. A bullpen that got a boost yesterday from their DH. Say What? Yes, designated hitter Chris Davis came in from his DH spot to pitch the 16th and 17th innings yesterday. Oh, and he pitched those innings without giving up a run. What an unexpected pleasant surprise. The bullpen did terrific again yesterday, but they are battered from their sweep of the Red Sox. This sweep included multiple extra inning games. Everyone in the bullpen is taxed so a move had to be made.

P Stu Pomeranz is headed to Baltimore from Norfolk. Pomeranz has given up two runs this season, but more importantly for the O's he hasn't pitched since Friday. They need a fresh arm down there. Pomeranz is not on the 40 man roster though so a corresponding roster move must be made. The expectation is that Wada will be transferred to the 60 day DL clearing a spot for Pomeranz. Luis Exposito is expected to be sent down to Norfolk to clear a spot on the big league club. Stu, this bullpen needs innings and is pitching pretty amazing. Let's keep this going. For those wondering, Stu Pomeranz was signed to a minor league contract in spring training. These depth moves pay off.

-Noland

Josh Bell Traded to Arizona

Yesterday, the Orioles traded Josh Bell to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a player to be named later. Earlier in the week he was taken off the 40 man roster and placed on waivers so that they could make room on the roster. Nice to see the Orioles get something in return for him. Bell, was struggling mightily at AAA Norfolk this season. He was hitting .094 and appeared to be flaming out as a prospect. Maybe the fresh start with a new organization will bring him new life.

Bell disappointed mightily for being one of the top Oriole prospects at one time. Everyone was pumped about his potential when he came over in the Sherill trade, but he didn't do much after Bowie. They gave him a shot at 3rd base after trading Tejada and he did not succeed there. He went back to the minors and did not do well. Last year, he hit .253 in Norfolk which is decent, but when he came up to Baltimore he only hit .164 in 26 games. Josh Bell will always have that one game where he hit two home runs off of Cliff Lee though. Not a bad day if you ask me. Bell will call back to that day and tell his kids and grandkids about it one day. Good luck in Arizona, Josh, the Orioles fans wish you well.

-Noland

Anyone Looking Good @ Norfolk?

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
Eveland
Wada
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