Dr. Shorebird Reports From Mini Camp

[Frobby]

2 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:

I'd like to see us just go ahead and scrap the idea of starting for Kline and Lee and get them in Bowie's bullpen ASAP.  Add Jason Garcia to that list as well.  I think Kline would already be an established part of the pen if not for trying be a SP that throws upper 90's.  

I completely disagree.    We've got an excellent, deep bullpen and not much depth at starting pitcher.   

[clapdiddy]

4 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I completely disagree.    We've got an excellent, deep bullpen and not much depth at starting pitcher.   

I agree with your disagree!

I would guess that it's much easier to transition from the rotation to a bullpen role then vice versa.

 

[Frobby]

I must say, Doc's reports along with the others were like a cold glass of water for someone who's been crawling through the desert for three months.    38 days until pitchers and catchers report!    17 days until Fanfest!    I can't wait!

[scOtt]

Part of Britt's write-up on Roger McDowell:

Quote

Being a pitching coach isn't a new job to McDowell, who was with the Braves for 11 seasons, though the former O's pitcher is getting used to new names and faces. He joked he made the wrong turn toward the cafeteria about 90 percent of the time this week.

"Last year, when I went to Spring Training, I hadn't seen 21 or 22 of the guys [in camp]," McDowell said. " had never laid eyes on them. So getting familiar with someone is not foreign. But getting familiar to surroundings, [a] new organization, what preferences are -- it's my job to find out how things tick around here and try to fit in as best as possible. It's me fitting in."

McDowell doesn't have to worry much about getting acclimated with Mills, as the two were teammates on the 1996 Orioles club that advanced to the American League Championship Series.

"I think it helps that we played together during the same era," said Mills, who as a younger player at the time learned a lot from McDowell. "When we were in meetings the last two days talking to pitchers, a lot of things he said, it was funny. I'd look at the guy we were talking to, because a lot of them I've had, and I'd be like, 'OK, you've heard that before.' It was actually refreshing where he's hitting them again with the same messages in that room. So I really look forward to helping him, assisting him in any way possible."

Fascinating! Things Millsy learned from playing together with McDowell, he took to heart and has kept in his mind as he was MiL PC. Things he's been teaching our MiL pitchers, McDowell comes in and is still saying the same thing.

 

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/213294458/roger-mcdowell-gets-to-know-os-at-minicamp/

[weams]

Roch Chimes in

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/01/wrapping-up-the-final-day-of-minicamp.html

Quote

“That’s kind of who we are. We have to do things like this to find somebody that nobody really knew about. We know about them. Shame on us if we don’t know about them. It creates a great morale in the organization and it starts with the pitching coaches, the pitching coordinator, the pitchers themselves, because they know that’s where they’re going, and their job is very important. You know who you are, and we have to do those things.

“It’s as much getting to know these and knowing that Chris Lee’s dad passed away when he was 10 years old. It gives you a perspective on them when you’re dealing with them every day. You better know these things. I hate talking about it because a lot of people aren’t willing to do those things. They think they’re all robotic pitchers. It’s important to know the challenges Mike Wright is having with his mother. That’s one of the reasons we brought him here. He needed a three- or four-day break.”