Relievers of note

[Frobby]

We sometimes get so caught up following the starting pitchers that we fail to notice the relievers who are doing well. Here's a few of them (grouped by team):

Pedro Beato (29), 28.1 IP, 1.27 ERA, 1.094 WHIP, 6.7 K/9

Richard Rodriguez (26) 31.1 IP, 1.72 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, 8.6 K/9

Oliver Drake (29) 20.1 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.258 WHIP, 12.6 K/9

Chaz Roe (29) 28.2 IP, 3.14 ERA, 1.012 WHIP, 11.6 K/9

Ashur Tolliver (28) 26.0 IP, 2.42 ERA, 1.154 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 (at Bowie; he's now at Norfolk)

Donnie Hart (25) 25.0 IP, 2.52 ERA, 1.160 WHIP, 10.4 K/9

Michael Zouzalik (25) 27.1 IP, 2.63 ERA, 0.988 WHIP, 8.6 K/9

Luis Gonzalez (24) 31.2 IP, 3.13 ERA, 0.916 WHIP, 12.2 K/9

Ryan Meisinger (22) 25.2 IP, 0.70 ERA, 0.935 WHIP, 14.0 K/9

Garrett Cleavinger (22) 30.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 1.033 WHIP, 12.9 K/9

Christian Turnipseed (24) 20.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 0.900 WHIP, 9.0 K/9

We have a fair number of guys in the upper levels who have pitched in the majors before and could do spot duty in the bullpen for the Orioles if we needed an arm. Meisinger and Cleavinger seem pretty interesting and I wouldn't mind seeing what they could do in Frederick.

[Rene88]

I love Beato and Drake and think both could do well here.

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[Frobby]

Most of these guys who are relievers in the lower minors usually don't amount to much. It's usually the failed starters in high A, AA, and AAA. It's more likely we'll see Chris Lee, David Hess, Grimes, and Means in a future Oriole bullpen than Cleavinger, Meinsenger, or Gonzalez.

I agree with you, but it still seems worth following these guys.

[NCRaven]

Most of these guys who are relievers in the lower minors usually don't amount to much. It's usually the failed starters in high A, AA, and AAA. It's more likely we'll see Chris Lee, David Hess, Grimes, and Means in a future Oriole bullpen than Cleavinger, Meinsenger, or Gonzalez.

I don't think this is as true as it once was. Teams are more inclined to draft pitchers, especially college pitchers, with an eye toward developing them for specifically for the bullpen and moving them rapidly through the system. Meisinger, Cleavenger, and Turnipseed all fit that description. Also, not sure why you include Gonzalez (unless it was a mistake and you meant Turnipseed). Brian was a 3rd round pick, drafted out of high school, a starter, and only 20 years old. After struggling some last year, is doing well this season.

[Frobby]

Luis Gonzalez, not Brian Gonzalez. Luis was listed in the opening post. Cleavenger was certainly drafted as a reliever with the hopes that he'd move quickly. Starting at Delmarva this year is a bad sign. I stand by my earlier comment that guy's like David Hess and Chris Lee are more likely to find themselves in a future Oriole bullpen than guys like Meisenger, Turnipseed, and even Cleavinger. Tanner Scott was not listed and he probably has the best chance.

When Scott gets his BB rate below one per inning, we can talk. He's tough to hit, but I can't get serious about a guy until he manages to find the strike zone.

[Enjoy Terror]

I always liked Tony's take on relievers; if you're not the closer, you're not worth talking about.

[TheOtherRipken]

Luis Gonzalez, not Brian Gonzalez. Luis was listed in the opening post. Cleavenger was certainly drafted as a reliever with the hopes that he'd move quickly. Starting at Delmarva this year is a bad sign. I stand by my earlier comment that guy's like David Hess and Chris Lee are more likely to find themselves in a future Oriole bullpen than guys like Meisenger, Turnipseed, and even Cleavinger. Tanner Scott was not listed and he probably has the best chance.

On any other team Id agree with you about Lee and Hess but same things were said about Wilson and Wright, and here we are.

[OFFNY]

o

6 OUTS: 2 Groundouts, 2 Flyouts, 1 Strikeout, 1 Popout

ASHUR JORDAN TOLLIVER O (vs. AAA-Durham, 6/07)

IP:l 2

H:;; 1 l(1 Single)

R:l) 0

BB: 1

SO: 1

Pitches: 35 (21 Strikes, 14 Balls)

2016 ERA: 0.00 (AAA-Norfolk)

PITCHES BY INNING

****************

14 (10 Strikes, 41 Balls)

21 (11 Strikes, 10 Balls)

[sportsfan8703]

Most of these guys who are relievers in the lower minors usually don't amount to much. It's usually the failed starters in high A, AA, and AAA. It's more likely we'll see Chris Lee, David Hess, Grimes, and Means in a future Oriole bullpen than Cleavinger, Meinsenger, or Gonzalez.

I sort of agree with this, but it looks like we are almost doing a mini "piggy back" thing with the pitchers in the milb, because most of the guys at the lower levels are going multiple innings every 3-4 days. These relievers aren't just being used as one inning specialists.

I'd like to start seeing us promote some of these guys. They're probably waiting till after AS games.

[sportsfan8703]

Last 10 games. 18.2 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 13 walks, 32 strikeouts.

Last night. 6 batters faced. 6 struck out. 35 pitches. 24 strikes. 11 balls. Think about getting serious about Tanner Scott.

Just posted the same thing on the main board. He's dominating right now. I know Messinger and Cleavinger are dominating too, but we should really push the issue with Scott. I don't remember when we had a strictly reliever type in A ball, with this much hype, but shouldn't he be flying through the system?

[Tony-OH]

Most of these guys who are relievers in the lower minors usually don't amount to much. It's usually the failed starters in high A, AA, and AAA. It's more likely we'll see Chris Lee, David Hess, Grimes, and Means in a future Oriole bullpen than Cleavinger, Meinsenger, or Gonzalez.

True for the most part, but both Cleavinger and Meisinger were drafted as relievers and will be developed as them. Both are prospects in the sense that they are both seen as potential bullpen pieces in the future.

[Tony-OH]

I always liked Tony's take on relievers; if you're not the closer, you're not worth talking about.

Well, I've kinda changed my thoughts on that with how the Orioles are now trying to develop relievers. The guys that are getting stretched out to 2 and 3 innings are guys they are trying to develop more so than the closer role now.

[Frobby]

Last 10 games. 18.2 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 13 walks, 32 strikeouts.

Last night. 6 batters faced. 6 struck out. 35 pitches. 24 strikes. 11 balls. Think about getting serious about Tanner Scott.

I posted his outstanding game last night in the Scott thread that happens to be on the main board (should be moved here, it's a relic from spring training), so I'm very aware of what he's doing. That's a great outing, and clearly he has electric stuff. Still, 13 BB in his last 18.2 innings isn't the improvement in command I need to see. I'll keep watching.

[Ruzious]

Most of these guys who are relievers in the lower minors usually don't amount to much. It's usually the failed starters in high A, AA, and AAA. It's more likely we'll see Chris Lee, David Hess, Grimes, and Means in a future Oriole bullpen than Cleavinger, Meinsenger, or Gonzalez.

I think you just explained why Cleavinger and Meisenger don't fit into the category you're putting them in. They aren't failed starters. I believe they were both groomed as closers in college.

[Redskins Rick]

The category I put them in was pitchers groomed as relievers from the time they are drafted. Cleavinger and Messenger are in that category.

Sounds a bit like Brach, starter in college, but totally a reliever in the MIL and ML.