Tillman tonight (4/12)

[BohSoHard]

So he pitched well tonight, but definitely needs to get deeper into games if he's going to contribute for the Orioles. Not sure if anyone has info on his velocity but here's his line:

5.2ip

3 hits

2 walks

8 K's

The strikeouts are nice to see.

[Lucky Jim]

So he pitched well tonight, but definitely needs to get deeper into games if he's going to contribute up here. Not sure if anyone has info on his velocity but here's his line:

5.2ip

3 hits

2 walks

8 K's

The strikeouts are nice to see.

Glad to see that.

[NCRaven]

I'm rooting for tillman, but 100 pitches to get through 5.2 innings isn't going to cut it at AAA much less in the bigs.

[Lucky Jim]

I'm rooting for tillman, but 100 pitches to get through 5.2 innings isn't going to cut it at AAA much less in the bigs.

Sure. But it was also 58 degrees and early in the season. He had 8:1 GB:FO ratio. We can nitpick what "won't cut it" at some point in the future, but that's a solid second start.

I mean, he got 17 outs and 16 of those were Ks or GBs. That's pretty exceptional.

[Scrat1]

Definitely something to build on.

[ccbird]

I'm starting to believe he has real potential......as a RP. Going deep into games even when he pitches well has always been and seems like it will always be the sticking point with Tillman. Move him to RP, let him cut it loose and not worry about pacing himself and I think we might be on to something. BTW... I'm fine with him remaining in the Norfolk rotation just to make sure but by mid June the O's should be prepared to transition him to the pen.

[Frobby]

I do worry about the fact that, even on a night when he had things working and only allowed 5 baserunners, he threw 100 pitches in less than 6 IP. He's got to start being more pitch-efficient if he wants to remain a starter.

[Lucky Jim]

I'd be the first to admit that, in order of likelihood, his probable outcomes are: (i) marginal value as MLB reliever; (ii) some value as MLB reliever; (iii) none; (iv) marginal MLB starter; (v) solid MLB starter.

That said, a single game's pitch-count in this case means very little. Very. All that's going on here is another example of confirmation bias.

[Sports Guy]

Any reports on velocity?

[Frobby]

I'd be the first to admit that, in order of likelihood, his probable outcomes are: (i) marginal value as MLB reliever; (ii) some value as MLB reliever; (iii) none; (iv) marginal MLB starter; (v) solid MLB starter.

That said, a single game's pitch-count in this case means very little. Very. All that's going on here is another example of confirmation bias.

Disagree. I think we are just pointing out the one negative aspect of his outing last night. I'm certainly not of the view that we should give up on Tillman as a starter. But, I certainly hope he'll string together some 7 inning starts with the same pitch count, as he has done at times in the past in AAA.

[Lucky Jim]

Disagree. I think we are just pointing out the one negative aspect of his outing last night. I'm certainly not of the view that we should give up on Tillman as a starter. But, I certainly hope he'll string together some 7 inning starts with the same pitch count, as he has done at times in the past in AAA.

You think? No conclusions in the following?

I'm starting to believe he has real potential......as a RP. Going deep into games even when he pitches well has always been and seems like it will always be the sticking point with Tillman. Move him to RP, let him cut it loose and not worry about pacing himself and I think we might be on to something. BTW... I'm fine with him remaining in the Norfolk rotation just to make sure but by mid June the O's should be prepared to transition him to the pen.

I don't mind if he keeps starting, but his future, if he has one, is in the bullpen. Let's not forget that his first start was terrible as well. It will be interesting to see how he does next time out. He's had trouble stringing together good starts even at AAA the last two years.

In fact, that's the epitome of confirmation bias.

[Enjoy Terror]

Would Tillman be more effective in relief?

[CA-ORIOLE]

Nice line, but in Tillman's case I'd say how he did it is more important than what he did in AAA.

[Lucky Jim]

Nice line, but in Tillman's case I'd say how he did it is more important than what he did in AAA.

Isn't this the case for every pitcher at every level of the minors?

[CA-ORIOLE]

Isn't this the case for every pitcher at every level of the minors?

You would think so, but I'm not sure that our developmental staff necessarily gets it (or has gotten it). Particularly so in this case.