Classic gives longshots a chance
03/05/2006
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Now that the Orioles have lost a heavy segment of their roster to the World Baseball Classic, manager Sam Perlozzo is all but obligated to take a look at some longshots. That means playing time for Napoleon Calzado and Ed Rogers, and opportunities for Esix Snead and Keith Reed.
"I'm surprised you can still keep track of the names now," joked Perlozzo on Friday.
The depleted roster situation is most evident behind the plate, as the Orioles have lost three experienced catchers. They're left with a group of backstops that have combined for a total of nine games of big-league action -- all by Eli Whiteside, all last season. Whiteside is joined by non-roster invitees Brian Bock, Ryan Hubele and Brandon Marsters, all of whom will likely leave camp when the veterans come back.
Perlozzo gets to look at a whole new crop of pitchers, too, compensating for the six starters who have left camp. Prospect Adam Loewen was part of that exodus, but there are several arms to gauge for the team's short bullpen. Perlozzo doesn't necessarily like the arrangement, but he knows he doesn't really have a choice.
"Do I like being short? No. There has to be some momentum in the spring," he said. "But we are going to give some chances. I mean, there are some spots to be earned on the team, and this is definitely going to give them that chance. No one's going to remember our spring record after Day 1 anyway. We still have some good people in camp."
On the pine: Hayden Penn still hasn't pitched in a game, but his sore shoulder has improved enough to allow him to throw from the mound. Prospect Ryan Keefer has missed some time recently but isn't expected to be a long-term concern. Aaron Rakers, who pitched for the Orioles in 2005, is out for the year after undergoing surgery on his right labrum.
They're No. 1: With Loewen gone, Nick Markakis and Keith Reed are the only former top picks in camp. Reed still doesn't figure to get much playing time -- he's hitting .333 (1-for-3) through three games -- but Markakis should play on a steady basis. The outfielder has played in each of the team's three games and has been hard to keep off base, notching a .667 average (2-for-3) with three walks. He is a legitimate threat to make the Opening Day roster.
Class of '05: Baltimore doesn't have any draftees from the 2005 class in camp. Those prospects are all 200 miles away, at the team's Minor League camp in Sarasota. Earlier in the spring, pitching coach Leo Mazzone pointed out how that may affect the team.
"The advantage of having the farm system next to you is you could set it up and have three guys backing up from the Minor Leagues that allowed you protection," said Mazzone. "You didn't have to overuse somebody you didn't want to use in an extra-inning ballgame."
Infield issues: With Brian Roberts still working his way back from elbow surgery and Miguel Tejada playing for the Dominican Republic, the Orioles were forced to start Chris Gomez and Desi Relaford up the middle on Saturday. That meant backup duties for Calzado, Brandon Fahey, Eddy Garabito and Fernando Tatis. Melvin Mora was hit by a pitch in that game and left early, further underlining the team's thin infield.
Pink slips: The Orioles released right-handed pitcher Ryan Jensen on Sunday, freeing the former Major Leaguer to seek employment elsewhere. Jensen had a 7.11 ERA in the big leagues last year and a 7.20 mark at Triple-A Omaha.
What they're saying: "We've got to get through it somehow, and we will." --Perlozzo, about his team's mission during the World Baseball Classic
Source: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Now that the Orioles have lost a heavy segment of their roster to the World Baseball Classic, manager Sam Perlozzo is all but obligated to take a look at some longshots. That means playing time for Napoleon Calzado and Ed Rogers, and opportunities for Esix Snead and Keith Reed.
"I'm surprised you can still keep track of the names now," joked Perlozzo on Friday.
The depleted roster situation is most evident behind the plate, as the Orioles have lost three experienced catchers. They're left with a group of backstops that have combined for a total of nine games of big-league action -- all by Eli Whiteside, all last season. Whiteside is joined by non-roster invitees Brian Bock, Ryan Hubele and Brandon Marsters, all of whom will likely leave camp when the veterans come back.
Perlozzo gets to look at a whole new crop of pitchers, too, compensating for the six starters who have left camp. Prospect Adam Loewen was part of that exodus, but there are several arms to gauge for the team's short bullpen. Perlozzo doesn't necessarily like the arrangement, but he knows he doesn't really have a choice.
"Do I like being short? No. There has to be some momentum in the spring," he said. "But we are going to give some chances. I mean, there are some spots to be earned on the team, and this is definitely going to give them that chance. No one's going to remember our spring record after Day 1 anyway. We still have some good people in camp."
On the pine: Hayden Penn still hasn't pitched in a game, but his sore shoulder has improved enough to allow him to throw from the mound. Prospect Ryan Keefer has missed some time recently but isn't expected to be a long-term concern. Aaron Rakers, who pitched for the Orioles in 2005, is out for the year after undergoing surgery on his right labrum.
They're No. 1: With Loewen gone, Nick Markakis and Keith Reed are the only former top picks in camp. Reed still doesn't figure to get much playing time -- he's hitting .333 (1-for-3) through three games -- but Markakis should play on a steady basis. The outfielder has played in each of the team's three games and has been hard to keep off base, notching a .667 average (2-for-3) with three walks. He is a legitimate threat to make the Opening Day roster.
Class of '05: Baltimore doesn't have any draftees from the 2005 class in camp. Those prospects are all 200 miles away, at the team's Minor League camp in Sarasota. Earlier in the spring, pitching coach Leo Mazzone pointed out how that may affect the team.
"The advantage of having the farm system next to you is you could set it up and have three guys backing up from the Minor Leagues that allowed you protection," said Mazzone. "You didn't have to overuse somebody you didn't want to use in an extra-inning ballgame."
Infield issues: With Brian Roberts still working his way back from elbow surgery and Miguel Tejada playing for the Dominican Republic, the Orioles were forced to start Chris Gomez and Desi Relaford up the middle on Saturday. That meant backup duties for Calzado, Brandon Fahey, Eddy Garabito and Fernando Tatis. Melvin Mora was hit by a pitch in that game and left early, further underlining the team's thin infield.
Pink slips: The Orioles released right-handed pitcher Ryan Jensen on Sunday, freeing the former Major Leaguer to seek employment elsewhere. Jensen had a 7.11 ERA in the big leagues last year and a 7.20 mark at Triple-A Omaha.
What they're saying: "We've got to get through it somehow, and we will." --Perlozzo, about his team's mission during the World Baseball Classic
Source: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/
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