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| This season is the last stand for Brian Matusz. |
Going into last season, I had a positive outlook on the Orioles. Brian Matusz, Vlad Guerrero, Derek Lee, Mark Reynolds and some promise. They were destined to rise up and be the third best team in the AL East.
But that is not how reality works.
Brian Matusz hit a major road bump in his career. If he cannot turn it around this year, he will be labeled a bust. Jake Arrieta was less than impressive last year, and he was supposed to make a solid 1-2 punch with Matusz. After those two, the Baltimore Orioles of 2012 supply us with more less than impressive starting pitchers complemented by Asian imports, Wey-Yin Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada. The bullpen is solid but leaves a lot to be desired. Luis Ayala, Matt Lindstrom, Jim Johnson and Troy Patton are not the worst pitchers to have in your bullpen. As for Kevin Gregg, the quicker any Major League club that he serves realizes that he is not a legitimate closer, the better.
As for the lineup, they Orioles have a core that could make some noise. Matt Wieters, now devoid of all hype thanks in part to Bryce Harper, was one of the better power hitting Catchers in baseball in 2011. J.J. Hardy bounced back in a big way last season. Mark Reynolds was Mark Reynolds last season. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis can still hit. Maybe Brian Roberts can prove that he can still in the big leagues.
Good for the Orioles, this is a team that can be respectable if they are firing on all cylinders. That was the same thing I said last year and they lost 93 games. So I expect something to go wrong next year. It has been all downhill since Ripken left this club, which is sad because the Orioles have great fans and play in a beautiful ballpark. Unfortunately, they play in a division with the Yanks, Rays, Sox and Jays. That leaves them to hang out in the basement.
X-FACTORS:
Rotation: Brian Matusz. This guy can anchor the rotation. He can also quietly wind up in another uniform by the deadline. I've liked this kid for years, so I hope for this kid to rise up to the occasion.
Lineup: 2B Brian Roberts. This is a do-or-die season for him as well. His presence means everything to this Oriole offense.
Bullpen: Kevin Gregg. Do we get 2009 Cubs and 2011 Orioles Kevin Gregg or Do we get 2008 Marlins and 2010 Blue Jays Kevin Gregg.
The Kids: SP Dylan Bundy. He's next in line after Orioles recent history of failed pitching prospects
ROYAL LIST:
#10: RHP Dylan Bundy. The next wave of young Orioles pitching has made its way over.
#11: SS Manny Machado. Hell yes, the Orioles should be excited for this kid.
#82: INF Jonathan Schoop: This inspired me to put on this Salt-N-Pepa song.
PROJECTION: 5th Place AL East
-This team has a ton of potential. More highly touted minor league prospects would be nice. For this Orioles team to break 75 wins, a lot needs to swing their way. No question that team is finishing last in the AL East in 2012.
UPDATE: Am I the only one for the O's returning to the cartoon bird? While you're at it Orioles, can you bring back Earl Weaver? (Warning: NSFW)
But that is not how reality works.
Brian Matusz hit a major road bump in his career. If he cannot turn it around this year, he will be labeled a bust. Jake Arrieta was less than impressive last year, and he was supposed to make a solid 1-2 punch with Matusz. After those two, the Baltimore Orioles of 2012 supply us with more less than impressive starting pitchers complemented by Asian imports, Wey-Yin Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada. The bullpen is solid but leaves a lot to be desired. Luis Ayala, Matt Lindstrom, Jim Johnson and Troy Patton are not the worst pitchers to have in your bullpen. As for Kevin Gregg, the quicker any Major League club that he serves realizes that he is not a legitimate closer, the better.
As for the lineup, they Orioles have a core that could make some noise. Matt Wieters, now devoid of all hype thanks in part to Bryce Harper, was one of the better power hitting Catchers in baseball in 2011. J.J. Hardy bounced back in a big way last season. Mark Reynolds was Mark Reynolds last season. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis can still hit. Maybe Brian Roberts can prove that he can still in the big leagues.
Good for the Orioles, this is a team that can be respectable if they are firing on all cylinders. That was the same thing I said last year and they lost 93 games. So I expect something to go wrong next year. It has been all downhill since Ripken left this club, which is sad because the Orioles have great fans and play in a beautiful ballpark. Unfortunately, they play in a division with the Yanks, Rays, Sox and Jays. That leaves them to hang out in the basement.
X-FACTORS:
Rotation: Brian Matusz. This guy can anchor the rotation. He can also quietly wind up in another uniform by the deadline. I've liked this kid for years, so I hope for this kid to rise up to the occasion.
Lineup: 2B Brian Roberts. This is a do-or-die season for him as well. His presence means everything to this Oriole offense.
Bullpen: Kevin Gregg. Do we get 2009 Cubs and 2011 Orioles Kevin Gregg or Do we get 2008 Marlins and 2010 Blue Jays Kevin Gregg.
The Kids: SP Dylan Bundy. He's next in line after Orioles recent history of failed pitching prospects
ROYAL LIST:
#10: RHP Dylan Bundy. The next wave of young Orioles pitching has made its way over.
#11: SS Manny Machado. Hell yes, the Orioles should be excited for this kid.
#82: INF Jonathan Schoop: This inspired me to put on this Salt-N-Pepa song.
PROJECTION: 5th Place AL East
-This team has a ton of potential. More highly touted minor league prospects would be nice. For this Orioles team to break 75 wins, a lot needs to swing their way. No question that team is finishing last in the AL East in 2012.
UPDATE: Am I the only one for the O's returning to the cartoon bird? While you're at it Orioles, can you bring back Earl Weaver? (Warning: NSFW)
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