Bergesen threw 6 scoreless today

[Frobby]

Rotation candidate Brad Bergesen did nothing to hurt his chances of starting the season among the top five starting pitchers. He pitched six innings today in a minor league camp game and gave up no runs on three hits while striking out six. Brian Bass also pitched in a Red Sox minor league game and pitched four innings. He gave up a run on three hits and struck out five.

The Orioles were forced to sent Bergesen and Bass across the state because of the split-squad game that was lost to rain on Wednesday.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2009/03/news_from_fort_myers.html

I think a spot is his to lose at this point.

[BillySmith]

Nice find and great news. With Uehara and Hill progressing, and hopefully Guthrie on his way home, things are starting to take a little shape. I'm hoping Simon bumps Baez and Eaton out of the picture.

[Anonymous]

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2009/03/news_from_fort_myers.html

I think a spot is his to lose at this point.

Signed, sealed, delivered -- it's his (to lose, but he's getting there in terms of being harder and harder for him to lose it, that is).

[Frobby]

Although I don't think Bergesen will ever set the world on fire, my guess is that he will be something of an innings eater even as a rookie at the major league level, should he make it. He just doesn't throw very many pitches to get through an inning. Watching his games will probably be pretty enjoyable even if he gets boxed around a little. I hate watching guys who are slow workers and throw a ton of pitches.

[Anonymous]

Meanwhile, Bass seems to be solidifying his spot on the team, although not necessarily at this point within the rotation.

[Ruzious]

I'll get very annoyed if they send him down just for dollar issues. If he's ready, keep him up. It's not like we have better options.

[Anonymous]

Although I don't think Bergesen will ever set the world on fire, my guess is that he will be something of an innings eater even as a rookie at the major league level, should he make it. He just doesn't throw very many pitches to get through an inning. Watching his games will probably be pretty enjoyable even if he gets boxed around a little. I hate watching guys who are slow workers and throw a ton of pitches.

I must have modest expectations/requirements in my world, as he's doing a pretty good job of setting it on fire for me. I'm pretty pleased with the concept of breaking it up in terms of the cavalry not ariving all at one time. It would be fantastic to plug in the first of the militia on OD 2009, and then to follow up gradually, perhaps one at a time, as the troopers show they're fully ready and the openings are there.

[Anonymous]

I'll get very annoyed if they send him down just for dollar issues. If he's ready, keep him up. It's not like we have better options.

What dollar issues? The difference in salary between minor league and major league? Or the start-the-clock business? If it's the latter, can you (or anyone who is confident they understand the issue) please provide a link to show that starting the clock is based on service time, as I have been under the impression that it's based on the date when you're added to the 40-man?

[clarence]

I don't think it is safe to assume anyone with options remaining has a "spot to lose". I think they would love to have Bergesen in AAA for a month and not prematurely start his clock. I am of the opinion that no player should start in the majors that can be stuck in the minors for a month and give you an extra year. Crazier things have happened than someone like Bergesen becoming a solid starter that would be nice to have under control for a seventh season.

[Frobby]

I remain skeptical. I'll be shocked if Eaton is released. Obviously with Hill probably not ready to go at the start, that opens up another spot. If Baez was released, traded, or relegated to the bullpen that would open up a permanent spot. My locks are:

1. Guthrie

2. Uehara

3. Hill

4. Eaton

Do you disagree with these four? What do you see happending with Eaton & Baez?

And don't forget that Simon, Bass, & Hendrickson are also in the mix.

Well, it was interesting yesterday when the 3 writers who Roch polled all had both Bergesen and Eaton in the rotation. I don't think these writers are choosing solely based on who they think has done the best; they are reading the tea leaves based on little comments from Trembley, Krantiz etc.

In any event, Bergesen, it seems to me, has been the most consistent pitcher the O's have had this spring. He went 4.2 IP last time, and today he went 6. At the moment, he's the pitcher who is most prepared to actually go out and pitch a full start. And the O's seem to be grooming him to do just that.

[crowmst3k!]

I think that Bergeson will be the first up of the "Big 4". He will be a control pitcher with acceptable stuff. He will not dominate with his fastball, but I think Kranitz can help him potentially add a breaking pitch that goes over the plate.

His fastball has some good sink to it, he will get a decent amount of groundball outs, and his changeup should help him get a few Ks. He also has a slider, but I don't know how effective it will be at the Major League level.

Bergesen also works quickly, and throws strikes. This will keep his BB level down.

Bergesen will end up being man number 5 in a future rotation of Matusz Tillman Guthrie Arietta and Bergesen.

I am a fan!

[Crazysilver03]

What dollar issues? The difference in salary between minor league and major league? Or the start-the-clock business? If it's the latter, can you (or anyone who is confident they understand the issue) please provide a link to show that starting the clock is based on service time, as I have been under the impression that it's based on the date when you're added to the 40-man?

Starting the clock is when you are on the 25 man roster.

[Crazysilver03]

I don't think it is safe to assume anyone with options remaining has a "spot to lose". I think they would love to have Bergesen in AAA for a month and not prematurely start his clock. I am of the opinion that no player should start in the majors that can be stuck in the minors for a month and give you an extra year. Crazier things have happened than someone like Bergesen becoming a solid starter that would be nice to have under control for a seventh season.

Really though, who cares if we have him for a 7th year. He sholdn't be a long term option and we should be able to have a replacement for him in three to four years.

This isn't a scenario with a Wieters/Matusz like prospect. Bergesen will be more easily replaceable.

I would rather have Bergesen up to start the year so we have some stability.

[Mackus]

What dollar issues? The difference in salary between minor league and major league? Or the start-the-clock business? If it's the latter, can you (or anyone who is confident they understand the issue) please provide a link to show that starting the clock is based on service time, as I have been under the impression that it's based on the date when you're added to the 40-man?

Arbitration is absolutely based on service time, it has nothing to do with the date you were added to the 40-man.

There are no money or service time issues to consider with Bergesen though. If you think he's both capable of handling the major league experience and that he's one of the 5 best starters we have, then he starts with the MLB club on Opening Day.

[Fan4Life]

I think this is good news. I like it. However, I presume he wasn't facing ML batters? So lets be careful not to fall in love to quickly. That train could derail very fast. I don't think it will, but it could.