2014 #4 Prospect: Zach Davies - RHP

[Tony-OH]

Davies continues up the prospect rankings despite premium velocity and size.

http://www.orioleshangout.com/article/4932/2014-4-prospect-zach-davies- - Plus Members

[weams]

Davies continues up the prospect rankings despite premium velocity and size.

http://www.orioleshangout.com/article/4932/2014-4-prospect-zach-davies- - Plus Members

I'm shocked, but happy. Our new EROD!

[weams]

Or Tim Hudson.

[Redskins Rick]

I'm shocked, but happy. Our new EROD!

I am sure astute DD had this in his mind, which allowed him the luxury of dealing E-Rod.

[weams]

I am sure astute DD had this in his mind, which allowed him the luxury of dealing E-Rod.

I expect not. That was a tough trigger to pull there.

[Frobby]

I'm shocked, but happy. Our new EROD!

I'd rather have EdRod. I correctly chose Davies as our no. 4 prospect, but he's a pretty weak no. 4. I think his upside is Miguel Gonzalez, which is decent, but you'd like more ceiling from a no. 4 prospect. I think EdRod still has the ceiling of a no. 2 starter, though he may not get there.

[canonfaz]

Nice write up. Sounds like a nice rotation piece going forward. He should get a shot this year to get some ML experience.

[LookinUp]

I think his upside is Miguel Gonzalez

Sounds almost like a younger carbon copy to me.

[Crazysilver03]

Nice write up. Sounds like a nice rotation piece going forward. He should get a shot this year to get some ML experience.

I think for roster management he won't see the major league roster unless he is dominating and he is needed. Berry, Wright, Wilson, and maybe Bundy will be ahead of him on the shuttle.

2016 definitely seems like his year, especially with Norris and Chen heading to FA and Tillman and Gonzo becoming more expensive. Some decisions will have to be made.

[canonfaz]

I think for roster management he won't see the major league roster unless he is dominating and he is needed. Berry, Wright, Wilson, and maybe Bundy will be ahead of him on the shuttle.

2016 definitely seems like his year, especially with Norris and Chen heading to FA and Tillman and Gonzo becoming more expensive. Some decisions will have to be made.

True. But with the way that Buck and DD shuttle people back and forth from Norfolk I could see him getting called up sometime this year to pitch out of the pen a little (if he is pitching well).

[Aristotelian]

I voted for Christian Walker but I see the logic. These prospect rankings are all about potential and Walker has more of a ceiling. Davies has pitched better at every level so far, and a lefty Miguel Gonzalez would be more valuable than a poor man's Billy Butler.

[Frobby]

I voted for Christian Walker but I see the logic. These prospect rankings are all about potential and Walker has more of a ceiling. Davies has pitched better at every level so far, and a lefty Miguel Gonzalez would be more valuable than a poor man's Billy Butler.

Davies is not a lefty, though.

[Aristotelian]

Davies is not a lefty, though.

Thanks for the correction. I don't know where I got that idea!

[Tony-OH]

Evaluators seem very mixed on ERod. Some see him as a TOR. Some see him as a reliever. Some see him as a #3 starter. I keep thinking of Felix Doubront when I see ERod's scouting report, physique and minor league history. Very similar but, of course, that means nothing in relation to how ERod turns out.

Very true. E-rod has an overall ceiling as a two, but a lot of things would need to improve for that to occur. Now I didn't see him when he started pitching other worldly after the trade, but I have seen him many times over the last three years. I think he fastball, changeup combo but his slider is very inconsistent. The other issue is he needs better command of his fastball. If I was forced to put a grade on him, I'd give him a 50 maybe 55 grade which puts him as a 4th starter.

[OFFNY]

I'm shocked, but happy. Our new EROD!

Or Tim Hudson.

If Davies ever makes it to the Orioles' major league club AND pitches effectively when he gets there, he will probably be quick to remind us all that he is "the new Zach Davies."

Like Matt Wieters (who was often referred at as "The Next Joe Mauer with Power" when he first came up in 2009 and 2010), Davies just needs to be the next ...... Zach Davies.