Erik Bedard
15-11, 3.76 ERA, 196.1 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 7.84 K/9
Grade: A
2007 outlook: Bedard should be the Orioles opening day starter if nothing changes. Started the year off good, then had a bad spell before turning it on for the second half. Pitched like an ace from June 21st on. He gives some hope that our other pitchers can make similar strides in the not too distant future. Should be considered almost untouchable and signed to a long term deal soon.
Daniel Cabrera
9-10, 4.74 ERA, 148 IP, 1.58 WHIP, 9.55 K/9
Grade: C
2007 outlook: We got more of the same from Cabrera this year. Still struck out a boat load of hitters, still walked almost as much. Was very inconsistent, one night throwing an absolute gem, the next night walking 5 in 3 innings. Cabrera got demoted in the middle of the season and he pitched a little better after returning. His last game of the season was a high note, shutting out the Yankees with a one hitter. Enters next year in the starting rotation.
Kris Benson
11-12, 4.82 ERA, 183 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 4.33 K/9
Grade: C-
2007 outlook: The Orioles got what they should have expected from Benson, he has always been around a .500 record with a mid-4′s ERA. Did a good job eating up innings and got a few tough losses and no decisions along the way. Benson could demand a trade in the off-season, but he will most likely return to the back end of the rotation. Look for more of the same.
Adam Loewen
6-6, 5.37 ERA, 112.1 IP, 1.54 WHIP, 7.85 K/9
Grade: C-
2007 outlook: Loewen should start off the year at the back end of the rotation. He pitched admirably for the Orioles, being brought up earlier than expected and holding his own on most nights. Seemed to improve as the year went on. He needs to get his walks under control, and like Cabrera, could be a top flight starter if he does.
Rodrigo Lopez
9-18, 5.90 ERA, 189 IP, 1.55 WHIP, 6.48 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Rodrigo was supposed to be a bright spot for our rotation and hold down the fort until the prospects were ready. Instead we got one of the worst pitchers (performance wise) in Major League Baseball. He got moved to the bullpen and still almost got 20 losses. Could be back as a long man in the bullpen next year or he could be traded in the off season.
Bruce Chen
0-7, 6.93 ERA, 98.2 IP, 1.74 WHIP, 6.39 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Chen will not be pitching for the Orioles next year. I’d be surprised to see him pitching anywhere in the majors next year, unless its as emergency long man in the bullpen. Chen was supposed to combo with Rodrigo Lopez to be a big part of the rotation. Instead, he pitched even worse than Rodrigo and most definitely would have reached 20 losses if he didn’t get moved to the bullpen fairly early on. Thanks for the solid year and a half of pitching Bruce, good luck in your future.
Hayden Penn
0-4, 15.10 ERA, 19.2 IP, 2.59 WHIP, 3.66 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Penn is one of the Orioles best prospects (if not the best), but he struggled mightily in his September cup of coffee. Despite that, he still pitched excellent at AAA Ottawa and is still going to be a very big part of future Baltimore Oriole teams. Came back from his emergency appendectomy quite nicely and should compete for a spot in the rotation in Spring Training. If he doesn’t win a spot, he could either pitch out of the bullpen until ready or pitch at AAA Norfolk until ready.
James Johnson
0-1, 24.00 ERA, 3 IP, 4.00 WHIP, 0.00 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Johnson came up for a spot start and got bombed. He clearly wasn’t ready and I’m pretty sure everyone already knew that before that but they needed someone and he was the best option we had. He will pitch in AA or AAA for all of 2007 and hopefully will continue to work and improve to be ready to contribute in the Majors some day in the future.
November 11, 2006 at 2:25 am |
I think you’re underappreciating Loewen, my friend. Granted, in the big leagues Loewen had an uneven first year, but as a whole I’d give the guy either a B+ or A-. He finished last year in A-ball but found himself in the majors by May. Would you have felt better if he had five months dominating the minors instead of just one and a half?
While inconsistent, he dominated the Yankees over four starts. 24 innings, just seven earned runs, 23 strikouts, .205 average. This is a feared lineup and they had chances to make adjustments but still couldn’t damage him.
This bodes really well for his future, as it shows that if he commands his heavy fastball and curve then he’ll be a star. And I’m much more confident that he’ll achieve strong command then I am for Cabrera, who’s had years in the bigs and is still in the dark as to how to harness his stuff.
No, I think Loewen will surprise people… and soon.
Either way, his 2006 campaign was pretty ideal for him all things considered. He turns 23 next April, and by the time he’s 24 I’d expect big things.
November 13, 2006 at 8:08 pm |
My grading was based soley on Major League performance. I’m very excited about Loewen’s progression last year and his potential to be an elite pitcher in the future. His totals however led me to grading him as a C-. I think if he progresses more, he could be a “B” next year, with “A” in the not too distant future if he does everything right.