Gausman still could be the fifth starter right away

[Lucky Jim]

I'm pretty sure that in 2009 Old#5Fan clearly stated his preference for Tillman over Matusz based on their first few appearances.

He definitely did in 2010 at least: http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/93046-Tillman?p=2045772#post2045772

And yes, during the 2009 season, too: http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/86091-Of-The-Calvary-I-Have-Seen-So-Far-There-is-Only-One-Potential-Ace?p=1878184#post1878184

Edited to note Frobby must live one heckuva healthy life to have a memory like that. On the other hand, in that second thread, Frobby DID say this about Markakis: "Really, the argument has been about how good Nick is right now, and how good he could become in the future. For the life of me, I don't understand how you can think that a 24 or 25 year old player is as good as he is ever going to get."

[weams]

This was never reported. In 2007, as a Mariner, he was scouted as approaching the mid-90s (http://prospectinsider.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/no-6-chris-tillman-rhp/) and was scouted at 92-92 in the year after (http://rotoprofessor.com/baseball/?p=3566) (See also: http://www.rotowire.com/baseball/showArticle.htm?id=11266).

This is what I recall. And thank you. What do you think of Gausman? His slider looked nice what I saw of it this spring. He appeared to be locating his fastball better as well.

[weams]

I'm pretty sure that in 2009 Old#5Fan clearly stated his preference for Tillman over Matusz based on their first few appearances.

He definitely did in 2010 at least: http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/93046-Tillman?p=2045772#post2045772

And yes, during the 2009 season, too: http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/86091-Of-The-Calvary-I-Have-Seen-So-Far-There-is-Only-One-Potential-Ace?p=1878184#post1878184

Edited to note Frobby must live one heckuva healthy life to have a memory like that.

Well, OldFan was obviously right. I think Chris Tillman worked very hard to get to where he is. I don't think there was much magic to it. I think he worked and worked and worked until he got it right.

[Lucky Jim]

This is what I recall. And thank you. What do you think of Gausman? His slider looked nice what I saw of it this spring. He appeared to be locating his fastball better as well.

I need to see more.

I will note that based on last year I have no concerns whatsoever about his FB. With even moderate consistency in his SL, I think his CH and FB will become significantly better pitches. He may have a year where he's inconsistent and puts up an up-and-down year of 4.50ish ERA, but I'll be surprised if he's not very good, very soon.

[weams]

I need to see more.

I will note that based on last year I have no concerns whatsoever about his FB. With even moderate consistency in his SL, I think his CH and FB will become significantly better pitches. He may have a year where he's inconsistent and puts up and up-and-down year of 4.50ish ERA, but I'll be surprised if he's not very good, very soon.

Thanks. He's young. But if he stays healthy. I think that the sky is the limit. It's a heck of an arm.

[Old#5fan]

His mechanics used to look just like Palmer's, too (minus the high leg kick), but he wasn't very good until they simplified things for him.

Yes, they did and I also recall commenting to that effect myself. But, he never seemed to be in sync like Palmer was, which is why he is now much better after simplifying things, as you state.

[Frobby]

Edited to note Frobby must live one heckuva healthy life to have a memory like that. On the other hand, in that second thread, Frobby DID say this about Markakis: "Really, the argument has been about how good Nick is right now, and how good he could become in the future. For the life of me, I don't understand how you can think that a 24 or 25 year old player is as good as he is ever going to get."

When you've posted 63,000 times, some of the things you've said are going to turn out to be horribly wrong. Nick's career has not gone the way I, or most people, would have expected going in to the 2009 season, that is for sure.

[weams]

When you've posted 63,000 times, some of the things you've said are going to turn out to be horribly wrong. Nick's career has not gone the way I, or most people, would have expected going in to the 2009 season, that is for sure.

I used to go to the AA games here in Harrisburg when Wieters was the SHJ for Bowie. I bought in completely.

[weams]

2009 Baseball America Prospect Handbook, after Tillman's first year in the O's organization (at Bowie) has him in the low 90's peaking at 94.

I remember after doing the Brady program for a year, when Chris finally returned to the majors in Seattle that he topped out at 97. Many questioned that gun.

[Old#5fan]

When you've posted 63,000 times, some of the things you've said are going to turn out to be horribly wrong. Nick's career has not gone the way I, or most people, would have expected going in to the 2009 season, that is for sure.

No worries Frobby. We have all been wrong plenty of times. I never though Arietta would turn out so badly, nor did Rick Dempsey, who had him as the most likely ace of all the young pitchers at one time. Also, in that same thread dug up by Lucky Jim, Drungo was effectively calling me an idiot for not thinking Markakis compared well to eventual HOF outfielders early in their careers.

[Old#5fan]

Well, OldFan was obviously right. I think Chris Tillman worked very hard to get to where he is. I don't think there was much magic to it. I think he worked and worked and worked until he got it right.

Indeed, he did and has, but I still think he had to have the talent there to begin with and to me it was not that difficult to spot.

[Number5]

I'm pretty sure that in 2009 Old#5Fan clearly stated his preference for Tillman over Matusz based on their first few appearances.

Sundance Kid: You remember the time you and me and Etta went to Denver one summer for a vacation?

Butch Cassidy: I'm glad you brought that up, Kid. That's an important topic, considering our situation.

Sundance Kid: The night we went gambling, you remember?

Butch Cassidy: We had dinner at the hotel. Etta had roast beef and I had chicken, and if I can remember what you had, I'll die a happy man.

[Old#5fan]

Sundance Kid: You remember the time you and me and Etta went to Denver one summer for a vacation?

Butch Cassidy: I'm glad you brought that up, Kid. That's an important topic, considering our situation.

Sundance Kid: The night we went gambling, you remember?

Butch Cassidy: We had dinner at the hotel. Etta had roast beef and I had chicken, and if I can remember what you had, I'll die a happy man.

Yeah, neat movie quote. I meant to give Frobby kudos for having a much better memory of my old posts than I do! Apparently I now need a Levitra equivilent for memory boost!

[Roll Tide]

Well, OldFan was obviously right. I think Chris Tillman worked very hard to get to where he is. I don't think there was much magic to it. I think he worked and worked and worked until he got it right.

Somebody is actually admitting Oldfan was right...... Hang on Elizabeth I'm coming (Fred Sanford holding his chest)

[Lucky Jim]

I used to go to the AA games here in Harrisburg when Wieters was the SHJ for Bowie. I bought in completely.

Worse indictment: I remember looking at Wieters numbers on Minor League Splits and seeing a sky-high GB% and an outlier BABIP and knowing it was a red flag and still ignoring it because I wanted to believe so badly.