Visits: 1
I didn’t bother writing a March reflection for the Orioles. I didn’t have much hope for the upcoming season, or for the roster assembled by new GM Dan Duquette. To make matters worse Zach Britton, the top returning starter from last year, was sidelined in the Spring with a shoulder injury. I simply couldn’t see through all the team’s shortcomings to muster up any sort of positive thoughts. A 14-9 April record had a remarkable effect on my disposition.
The Orioles‘ April success was powered by some terrific performances from unfamiliar faces. Jason Hammel, acquired from the Rockies for Jeremy Guthrie, has been a rock solid addition to Baltimore’s rotation. Hammel struggled in Colorado and was removed from the Rockies’ rotation at one point last summer. I gave him a vote of complete no confidence coming into the season. Hammel is currently 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA in five starts for the Orioles. I can’t imagine he’ll keep pitching at his current pace but you won’t hear me complaining if he does.
Wei-Yin Chen, imported from Japan during the offseason, has also been terrific. Chen is 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA in four starts for the O’s. Chen didn’t come with the fanfare or price tag of Yu Darvish, and rightfully so, but he has made a huge impact for the Orioles. The 26 year old lefty looks like he may be a solid middle of the rotation starter.
The Orioles have also benefited from some terrific outings from two pitchers who struggled last season, Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz. Arrieta earned the Opening Day start and has pitched well following August surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow. Matusz was beyond awful in 2011. He didn’t look very good in his early outings this season either, but he rebounded to turn in two straight quality starts against the Blue Jays and Yankees. Orioles fans should keep their fingers crossed in hopes that the Matusz of 2010 has returned.
Mark Reynolds and JJ Hardy are off to slow starts with the bat. The pair led the Orioles in home runs last season but others have picked up the slack. Catcher Matt Wieters is morphing into a outright star. Now in his third full big league season Wieters leads all catchers in home runs and has become a force in the middle of the Baltimore lineup. Center fielder Adam Jones also had a terrific April. Jones has settled nicely into the cleanup spot and is stating his case for a long term deal with the Orioles. Jones will be a free agent following the 2013 season. The Orioles may regret not getting the former All Star and Gold Glove winner locked up sooner.
The Orioles’ offense has also received a power injection from Chris Davis. The 26 year old was acquired from the Rangers last summer along with Tommy Hunter in return for Koji Uehara. Davis has already hit five home runs this season after hitting just two home runs in 31 games with the O’s in 2011. Could Davis be the Orioles’ long sought after solution at first base?
I’m not ready to start ordering playoff tickets, or even season tickets, but the Orioles have certainly been entertaining and competitive in the early going. As a fan who has suffered through 14 years of losing, entertaining and competitive is about all I can hope for these days. I’m taking it one day at a time and hoping that the O’s can carry their April success into May.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login