After years of rolling out pitching staffs that were varying levels of horrible, abysmal, and grotesque, the Orioles finally have a stable of young, talented arms. It might be a stretch (in fact, it is a stretch) to say that they all will find success in 2010, but at least we can see that the raw talent is there. Personally, I think 2011 will be the breakthrough year, but it should be a blast watching these guys develop this summer.
Starting Pitching Staff
Kevin Millwood - The newly acquired Millwood is a legitimate second-tier No. 1 starter - exactly what this team needed. He will eat up a ton of innings (198 last year in winning 13 games for the Texas Rangers) and be a great example for the young guys. At 34 years old you know exactly what you're going to get from Millwood, and that certainty is just what this young pitching staff needs.
Jeremy Guthrie - After a tremendous 2008 in which he posted a sterling 3.63 earned run average, Guthrie struggled last year, when his ERA ballooned to 5.04. His vaunted routine was disrupted last spring by the World Baseball Classic, and it appeared that he strained to meet high expectations. Now that some of the pressure on him has been alleviated by Millwood, hopefully he can return to his '08 form.
Brad Bergesen - A mid-summer call-up last year, Bergesen pitched fantastically before a line drive off his shin ended his season early. Before he got hurt he showed grit and guts and a great slider in his starts. He's not intimidated on the mound.
Brian Matusz - The Orioles first-round draft choice in 2008, Matusz is regarded as one of the finest pitching prospects in all of baseball (He's ranked fifth by Baseball America). He's got a gun for an arm, and the fact that he's left handed is a bonus. I am a bit worried that the O's are rushing him, but all signs point toward a long, successful big league career for Matusz - whenever it starts for good.
David Hernandez - One of six Orioles starting pitchers to win their Major League debut last year, Hernandez was expected to start the season in the minors or in the bullpen. But an inconsistent spring by 21-year-old phenom Chris Tillman, the projected No. 5 starter, coupled with a solid one by Hernandez (he posted a 3.00 ERA) gave the job to the 24-year-old righty.
Bullpen
Set-up man - Jim Johnson - Johnson was outstanding as a set-up man the past few years, but he struggled mightily when asked to become a closer after George Sherrill was dealt last year. Hopefully he can regain his confidence in his old role.
Closer - Mike Gonzalez - A free agent acquisition from Atlanta, I know absolutely nothing about Mike Gonzalez. His numbers in Atlanta - a mecca for pitchers - are solid (he posted a 2.42 ERA last year), so I'm hoping he'll carry that success with him to Baltimore.
After all it's spring - and hope springs eternal.