Nobody was expecting the Baltimore Orioles to right away become playoff contenders in 2012, but todays news out of Birdland is still depre sing. Based on Jim Duquette, Zach Brittons shoulder injury from late last months are still lingering and can limit his workload during spring training. Britton was rated because the Orioles top pitching prospect entering the 2011 season, and he was arguably the Os best pitcher for that first 1 / 2 of the
Stevie Johnson Jersey growing season before slumping badly down the stretch.
Britton is hardly the very first Orioles pitcher to have injury troubles. Heck, at this point, Orioles fans probably expect the teams best pitching prospects to either get injured or flop in the major-league level. Brian Matusz looked like he was off and away to a spectacular young career, prior to getting injured and neglecting to regain his velocity or control. Jake Arrietta and Chris Tillman was once considered the way forward for the franchise, but neither has been in a position to succe sfully transition to the majors. Also, while not a very rated prospect,Brad
Marcus Roberson Jersey Bergesenflashed some promise in 2009, but has since had injury i sues and trouble striking out major-league hitters.
So while this news about Britton shouldnt be too surprising, it makes me wonder: how much of the Orioles struggles to
Shamiel Gary Jerseybuild up good, young pitchers is a result of organization philosophy and management, and how much is simply misfortune?
Pitching prospects flame out at a terrifyingly high rate, so it might be the Orioles did everything they could po sibly do in these instances, yet have been stuck on Lady Lucks bad side. That may not be the most satisfying answer, but when evaluating the succe s of pitching prospects, its important to not be drawn into the narrative.
That said, it seems that the Orioles have made revamping their organizations approach to pitching important. New GM Dan Duquette has brought in a number of new arms this off-season, including Dana Eveland, Jason Hammel, and two international signings in Wei-Yin Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada (each of whom might make their way into the 2012 rotation).But if you think maybe the
Patrick Lewis Jersey Orioles pitching problem has been the result of an organizational philosophy, then Duquettes most significant move from the off-season was at hiring Rick Peterson and Chris Correnti.
Peterson has worked because the pitching coach for a number of major-league teams, and hes a large proponent of using psychology and biomechanics to help pitchers stay healthy. Hes been given the role of overseeing the Orioles minor-league pitchers and helping them develop properly. Meanwhile, Chris Correnti will serve as a performance consultant, and hes expected to use injured pitchers to a sist them to improve, and also to create a year-long conditioning program for the Os pitching staff. Correnti worked in a similar role using the Red Sox from 1994-2005.
Will Peterson and Correnti have the ability to help the Os? Will their pitching staff stop getting hit through the injury bug? That all remains to be seen, however in the wake of Brittons injury, it appears as though a good time to notice that the
Andre Reed Jersey Orioles are going in a new direction. I simply hope its not too late for Matusz and Britton.
