Over the course of this off season there have not been many big moves made by the Orioles but the rotation still has many possible combinations and there is always the possibility for injuries. With the season still being a little ways away lets look at my projected starting rotation and keep in mind just like last year anything can happen.
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| Wei-Yin Chen looks to improve upon a solid rookie season |
1. Wei-Yin Chen- With him being the only starter to have thrown close to 200 innings last year he enters spring training being the most likely candidate to be the opening day starter next season. If Chen can improve on his 4.02 ERA and his solid rookie year he can prove to be (sadly) one of the best pitchers we had in recent memory. Chen is also on a very team friendly contract with him being paid less then four million this year and being paid less then nine million combined in the two years after that including the team option. He does need to prove that he is still capable of being a top two or three slot starter after he had an ERA over 5.00 in September and October and that he can adjust to how the league adjust to him. I project him to have an even better year in 2013 than he did last year and I expect him to not fade at the end of the year like last year after he has experienced a full 162 game season.
2. Jason Hammel- If not for the injuries that slowed him down and causes him to miss several starts he could of ended up having a great year. It is going to be interesting to see what he can do next season if he can continue the way he pitched last season and turn into an ace or will he revert to his prior years and end up being a borderline member of this rotation. If he can ride his improved sinker and stay healthy for the whole season he can end up being like Cliff Lee and go from mediocre pitcher for most of his early career to an ace and all star.
3.Joe Saunders-After coming over via trade from Arizona mid season he pitched exceptional well in his seven starts with the club having a 3.63 over that span. It is still uncertain if the Orioles will resign him but I think it is likely they will and should have an edge since he is from Virginia. If he is resigned he can be a solid peice in this rotation and should definitely be a good number 3 pitcher.
4. Miguel Gonzales- He was one of the biggest surprises last season finishing with a 9-4 record and a 3.25 ERA in just over 100 innings. If the 28 year old righty can continue his outstanding performance into 2013 than he can surely prove to be one of the biggest finds ever and can be apart of the Orioles rotation for many years going forward.
5.Chris Tillman- After posting 3 consecutive season of spot innings and having era's in the mid to upper 5's Chris Tillman finally put it all together in 2012 going 9-3 with a sub 3.00 ERA to surprise just about everyone. His great 2012 season should be enough to garner him a spot in this rotation and if he can live up to his potential he can be a top of the rotation starter even though it still looks more like he will be a 3-4 slot starter. The Orioles should have plenty of time to figure him out since he is under team control til 2018.
Other Possible Members
T.J. McFarland- The Orioles 2012 rule five draft pick should be fighting for a rotation spot come spring training and if he does not make he should at least have a shot at a mop up role. If the Orioles do resign Joe Saunders it is hard to see where he fits in on this team with a lot more experienced starters ahead of him but I'm sure Dan Duquette has a plan to keep him if he does not make the 25 man roster out of spring training.
Jake Arrieta- Anyway you look at it he had a terrible season in 2012 and should a spot open up in the rotation or bullpen I'm sure he should be one of the first names called. Time is running out for Arrieta, who will be 27 by opening day, and has failed to live up to his once 52nd ranked best prospect by Baseball America in 2008.
Zach Britton- He is another Oriole pitcher who has failed to make a lasting impression at the big league level. After having a less than stellar year in 2012 which was shortened due to injury he looks to start the year in AAA and could still make several starts next season if a spot for him does open.
Tommy Hunter- He has spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues and he has failed to make a good impression over the past two years in Baltimore. He should be the a spot starter/long man out of the pen' this year and could work his way into the rotation. If Hunter does not perform next season his days as an Oriole could be numbered.
Steve Johnson- The son of formal Orioles and current commentator Steve Johnson pitched very well to a 2.11 era in a very limited 38innings in 2012. He should start the year in AAA but has a chance to win a spot either in the rotation or pen out of spring training, I could see him working his way into the rotation like last year and he should be able to be a decent back end of the rotation starter or at least a mop up man out of the bullpen.
Brian Matusz- Struggled as a starter last season but excelled out of the bullpen late last season and into the playoffs i expect him to be in the bullpen this season where he can be a key piece if he pitches like last season.
To Summarize the rotation looks like this:
Hammel,Chen,Saunders, Gonzales, Tillman
with Hunter in the pen and McFarland, Arrieta, Britton, and Steve Johnson most likely at Norfolk
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