What is your evaluation of McCurry, Viola, Diaz, Rivera, and Cooney?

[wildcard]

The Baysox has a group of relievers that appear to be pushing for promotion sometime around mid season. My question is how many of these guys have major league stuff? How many are candidates for called up in Sept? How many are on a path to make the team next year?

I know Cooney is on the DL as is Klein. They both may have to wait for a promotion.

I see Patton is doing better in relief at Norfolk. Getting lefties out. And, of course, we know the Klein is on a fast track as a reliever or a starter.

Patton, McCurry and Viola are all lefties which is a need for the Orioles.

So what do you think about this group of relievers?

[waroriole]

I could see McCurry being a bullpen piece for the O's for years to come. He may not get called up until next year though. I don't know enough about Diaz to say. Viola and Patton are most likely AAAA guys, but useful to have in the system.

[BaysoxFan39]

Here Goes:

1. McCurry. Good stuff, good presence, has average fastball with some movement, breaking pitches are good. Seems to have a rubber arm and can pitch long or short relief. I see him in Baltimore in two years.

2. Viola. Emotionless demeanor on the mound. Can repeat the same deliver again and again. Has a good change and good fastball. He can pitch and has had success and disappointment at the major league level. He can fill the role as long or situational lefty out of the pen and can spot start for 5 innings or so. I like him.

3. Diaz. I began watching him last year after we acquired him from the Houston organization. He is huge. Weighted about 320 in 2010 and has slimmed down somewhat in 2011. I would guess he is around 270 to 290. He throws in the high 90s but pitches effectively in the low to mid 90s. Has heavy fastball with movement and has mixed changeups and breaking pitches better this year than last year. There is also a little shoulder "hitch" mechanism he must overcome prior to delivering a pitch. In the stretch when he comes set to deliver he "hunches" his shoulders and then delivers to the plate. He must break this habit because it tips the hitters and baserunners off. He has a tendency to speed up bats with breaking pitches at the wrong time but has been successful as he leads the Eastern League in saves going into tonights games. Fielding bunts was an issue last year and this year as he is not mobile enough to field his position cleanly at this level. He tends to "nibble" and put runners on way to much. I would say if he lost another 35-50 lbs, learns to field better and trust his stuff he could be a closer at the major league level.

3. Rivera. I have watched him several times and he does not impress me. Middle of the road reliever that must develop an "out" pitch.

4. Cooney. has lost a ton of weight and I have not seen him as much this season as last season. I need to see more.

5. Klein. The real deal. Unhittable on some outings and crafty when he does not have his best stuff. Shows excellent promise. Not sure about him being a starter because he has only relieved in Bowie. Sometimes everyone can't be a starter. Maybe Klein is the answer to our righty long man in Baltimore. He has had success at all levels and with that I would think he could be in Baltimore sooner than later.

I hope that helps.

[wildcard]

Here Goes:
1. McCurry. Good stuff, good presence, has average fastball with some movement, breaking pitches are good. Seems to have a rubber arm and can pitch long or short relief. I see him in Baltimore in two years.
2. Viola. Emotionless demeanor on the mound. Can repeat the same deliver again and again. Has a good change and good fastball. He can pitch and has had success and disappointment at the major league level. He can fill the role as long or situational lefty out of the pen and can spot start for 5 innings or so. I like him.
3. Diaz. Well where to begin. I began watching him last year after we acquired him from the Houston organization. He is huge. Weighted about 320 in 2010 and has slimmed down somewhat in 2011. I would guess he is around 270 to 290. He throws in the high 90s but pitches effectively in the low to mid 90s. Has heavy fastball with movement and has mixed changeups and breaking pitches better this year than last year. There is also a little shoulder "hitch" mechanism he must overcome because it tips the hitters and baserunners off. He has a tendency to speed up bats with breaking pitches at the wrong time but has been successful as he leads the Eastern League in saves going into tonights games. Fielding bunts was an issue last year and this year as he is not mobile enough to field his position cleanly at this level. He tends to "nibble" and put runners on way to much. I would say if he lost another 35-50 lbs, learns to field better and trust his stuff he could be a closer at the major league level.
3. Rivera. I have watched him several times and he does not impress me. Middle of the road reliever that must develop an "out" pitch.
4. Cooney. has lost a ton of weight and I have not seen him as much this season as last season. I need to see more.
5. Klein. The real deal. Unhittable on some outings and crafty when he does not have his best stuff. Shows excellent promise. Not sure about him being a starter because he has only relieved in Bowie. Sometimes everyone can't be a starter. Maybe Klein is the answer to our righty long man in Baltimore. He has had success at all levels and with that I would think he could be in Baltimore sooner than later.

I hope that helps.

Thanks, great report.

Buck said if a pitcher can't field his position he doesn't belong in the majors. I guess that tells us a lot about Diaz.

[Crazysilver03]

Viola looked great in his one appearance with the Orioles this year. I was hoping they would keep him up here.

BTW, Diaz was promoted to Norfolk with Gabino being sent to Bowie last night.

[BaysoxFan39]

Viola looked great in his one appearance with the Orioles this year. I was hoping they would keep him up here.

BTW, Diaz was promoted to Norfolk with Gabino being sent to Bowie last night.

Good for Diaz. I hope he takes full advantage of this opportunity. He can be very good if he stops nibbling.

[Who's On 1st]

Viola looked great in his one appearance with the Orioles this year. I was hoping they would keep him up here.

BTW, Diaz was promoted to Norfolk with Gabino being sent to Bowie last night.


Good for Diaz. I hope he takes full advantage of this opportunity. He can be very good if he stops nibbling.

I hope Diaz can do in AAA Norfolk as he did with AA Bowie. I think he could be a good set up guy or closer in the bigs one day.