Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalez gunning for 200 innings

You're not going to believe it, but Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalex both showed up for camp in the best shape of their lives! Ahhhh, I love spring training!

When asked what number he'd most like to see on his baseball card a year from now, Bud Norris didn't hesitate.

"Two hundred," beamed the Orioles' birthday boy.

"Two hundred innings."

Norris, who turned 30 on Monday, would set a career high with such an achievement (he pitched 186 innings for Houston in 2011). The right-hander believes that superb conditioning makes the goal both realistic and attainable.

"I felt I was in the best shape of my life last year, and I can say the same thing this year. I feel a little bit better, actually. Going out there consistently every five days and putting up innings is really what it's all about," said Norris, who logged 165 1/3 innings for the Birds last year.

"I'm glad when I hear that two hundred innings is a guy's goal," said Oriole manager Buck Showalter. "It's a big deal. It's associated with consistency and taking the ball every fifth day.

"Bud doesn't want to come out of a game -- ever. I've never had Bud not fight coming out of a game, and that's fine with me."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/110925022/orioles-pitcher-bud-norris-eyes-first-200-innings-season

Miguel Gonzalez worked out again with vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson over the winter in California. Showalter has noticed the change in Gonzalez's physique.

"I don't know if you all tapped on him, but he's like a rock," Showalter said. "He's got a goal of pitching 200 innings this year because that's been the one kind of bugaboo on him. Miggy's not the type of guy to talk about this, but his whole offseason he spent a lot of time with Brady. I hit him the other day and it was like hitting a rock. His body fat is actually down and his weight's up.

"The wear and tear, he's always had a couple spots where he's needed a DL period or miss a start. He's very upfront. If you know Miggy's personality, it's not like he's shirking a responsibility. If we can stay away from that, he could go to another level physically. He's done everything he can to be there for us every fifth day.

"He was pretty good last year, but the one thing he's missing is that durability."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/notes-from-todays-final-full-workout.html

The comment by Norris being in the best shape of his career is just further affirmation that we've leveraged our physical conditioning program. Some of the pitchers do seam to be strong beneficiaries.

The comment by Norris being in the best shape of his career is just further affirmation that we've leveraged our physical conditioning program. Some of the pitchers do seam to be strong beneficiaries.

I wonder if Brady would have had any effect on Ponson.

I wonder if Brady would have had any effect on Ponson.

I'd be worried the effect Ponson would have had on Brady.

I'd be worried the effect Ponson would have had on Brady.

Right, like Fat Sid filing a grievance against Brady and the Orioles with MLPA after Brady would have became so frustrated with him he'd have kicked his arse.

I wonder if Brady would have had any effect on Ponson.

Hey, Sidney exercised his elbow at lot.

I'd be worried the effect Ponson would have had on Brady.

They were teammates for four years.

They were teammates for four years.

And one year after Brady was out of the game!

You seriously couldn't tell that was a joke?

And one year after Brady was out of the game!

You seriously couldn't tell that was a joke?

I knew it was a joke. Just reminding folks that they actually played on the same team, though it seems hard to believe.

I knew it was a joke. Just reminding folks that they actually played on the same team, though it seems hard to believe.

For what it is worth, I had remembered.

Shame he finished up in Cleveland.

For what it is worth, I had remembered.

Shame he finished up in Cleveland.

When you are done, you are done.

When you are done, you are done.

Earl talked about how few are willing to accept it.

You're not going to believe it, but Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalex both showed up for camp in the best shape of their lives! Ahhhh, I love spring

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/110925022/orioles-pitcher-bud-norris-eyes-first-200-innings-season

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/notes-from-todays-final-full-workout.html

Would like to see that happen.

Really hoping for a big year out of Norris. First off, obviously, because it would help the Orioles this season. But also because I want to be able to offer him a QO at the end of the season. I'm hoping to get picks from Davis/Wieters/Norris/Chen/Pearce.

Not sure how Gonzalez is going to get 200 innings pitching out of the bullpen since that's where half this board thinks he belongs....:rolleyestf: