Mailbag: Who does Mazzone help most?
03/06/2006
Which pitcher in the Orioles' starting rotation do you think will benefit the most from Leo Mazzone's style of coaching? I've heard people say that Kris Benson is a perfect pupil for Mazzone. Is it him or someone else?-- Derek H., Bel Air, Md.
Benson is certainly a good fit with his new pitching coach, but my guess would be Daniel Cabrera. The right-hander is one of the hardest throwers in the game, and thus far, he's been unable to turn that stuff into consistent success. With two years of experience under his belt and Mazzone pointing the way, all the ingredients are in place for a breakout season.
Mazzone has Cabrera working on a changeup to compliment his power fastball and late-breaking curve, a combination that could be absolutely unhittable if used correctly. Kevin Millar has joked that he came to the Orioles just so he wouldn't have to face Cabrera, a line that grows less funny and more earnest every time the 24-year-old takes the hill.
If it's hyperbole, it's commonly held hyperbole. Players and scouts gush about Cabrera's potential, holding him out as an ace in the making. And he looks the part. At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds -- both conservative estimates -- he's thick enough to start at power forward for half the teams in the NBA. Now, he just needs to find a way to rebound from an up and down season.
He'll have plenty of help in that regard, with Mazzone guiding him between starts and Ramon Hernandez calling the pitches from behind the plate. Cabrera's had some problems with his back, and that may be an ongoing concern. But if he can stay healthy and accept Mazzone's tutelage, the O's just might have a staff ace.
Hayden Penn came up last year and pitched pretty well for his age. How much, if any, will we see of him this season?-- Ryan B., Eldersburg, Md.
The Orioles would like to take things slowly with Penn, spotting him at Triple-A Ottawa for most of the season. However, they may not have that luxury. If one of Baltimore's starters gets injured or cuffed around during April and May, Penn would be the likely contingency plan. He's had success at every level of the Minor Leagues and could skip Triple-A if needed.
That trajectory isn't unprecedented, and these days, it's not even all that uncommon. Several young pitchers have made the big-league leap with only a smattering of starts at Triple-A, but the most prudent promotion schedule entails stops at every level along the way. Especially with a pitcher Penn's age -- at 21 years old, there's little or no reason to rush him.
Do you see Val Majewski turning into a regular player down the road and also becoming an offensive threat for the top of the lineup?-- Mike K., Oneida, N.Y.
Majewski has been impressive in Spring Training, showing no signs of the shoulder surgery that made him miss all of last season. He's shown the ability to hit for power and average in the Minor Leagues, which likely tabs him as a threat in the middle of the order as opposed to the top. Of course, that's down the road, much like the question specified.
The Orioles have a logjam in the outfield, and this spring they have allowed Majewski to play some first base -- where there's another crowd fighting for position on the big-league roster. Baltimore likely will allow the left-handed hitter to start the season at Triple-A, where he'll play both the outfield and first base and try to make up for lost time in the batter's box.
Majewski, much like fellow prospect Nick Markakis, has showed growth at each incremental stop along the way. He would've had a legitimate shot at breaking in with the big-league club last year and remains hopeful for that chance this season. At this point, Markakis has the inside track at starting the season with the club, but the O's can't make room for both prospects.
For now, the presence of Jeff Conine, Kevin Millar and Javy Lopez may complicate that process. All three are signed to one-year deals, though, meaning the future may begin soon in Baltimore. Conine has an option for next year that vests at 450 plate appearances, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see both Markakis and Majewski playing heavily in the second half of 2006.
I noticed that University of Texas' Brandon Fahey is on the 40-man roster. Where do you see him for the 2006 season? What do you think the Orioles plans are for him this year?-- Brandon S., Keller, Texas
Fahey is a glove man with a line-drive batting stroke, a player that closely resembles Arizona's Craig Counsell in ability and youthful appearance. He spent the entire season at Double-A Bowie last season, batting .291 with a .349 on-base percentage. This year, he'll likely move to Triple-A Ottawa and see if his offensive improvements stick at a higher level.
The left-handed hitter projects as a utilityman in the big leagues, and he's still young enough to develop into something more. Fahey, 25, has taken a normal progression through the Minors and may be ready to earn a late-season call-up to the big leagues when rosters expand in September.
Source: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/
Which pitcher in the Orioles' starting rotation do you think will benefit the most from Leo Mazzone's style of coaching? I've heard people say that Kris Benson is a perfect pupil for Mazzone. Is it him or someone else?-- Derek H., Bel Air, Md.
Benson is certainly a good fit with his new pitching coach, but my guess would be Daniel Cabrera. The right-hander is one of the hardest throwers in the game, and thus far, he's been unable to turn that stuff into consistent success. With two years of experience under his belt and Mazzone pointing the way, all the ingredients are in place for a breakout season.
Mazzone has Cabrera working on a changeup to compliment his power fastball and late-breaking curve, a combination that could be absolutely unhittable if used correctly. Kevin Millar has joked that he came to the Orioles just so he wouldn't have to face Cabrera, a line that grows less funny and more earnest every time the 24-year-old takes the hill.
If it's hyperbole, it's commonly held hyperbole. Players and scouts gush about Cabrera's potential, holding him out as an ace in the making. And he looks the part. At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds -- both conservative estimates -- he's thick enough to start at power forward for half the teams in the NBA. Now, he just needs to find a way to rebound from an up and down season.
He'll have plenty of help in that regard, with Mazzone guiding him between starts and Ramon Hernandez calling the pitches from behind the plate. Cabrera's had some problems with his back, and that may be an ongoing concern. But if he can stay healthy and accept Mazzone's tutelage, the O's just might have a staff ace.
Hayden Penn came up last year and pitched pretty well for his age. How much, if any, will we see of him this season?-- Ryan B., Eldersburg, Md.
The Orioles would like to take things slowly with Penn, spotting him at Triple-A Ottawa for most of the season. However, they may not have that luxury. If one of Baltimore's starters gets injured or cuffed around during April and May, Penn would be the likely contingency plan. He's had success at every level of the Minor Leagues and could skip Triple-A if needed.
That trajectory isn't unprecedented, and these days, it's not even all that uncommon. Several young pitchers have made the big-league leap with only a smattering of starts at Triple-A, but the most prudent promotion schedule entails stops at every level along the way. Especially with a pitcher Penn's age -- at 21 years old, there's little or no reason to rush him.
Do you see Val Majewski turning into a regular player down the road and also becoming an offensive threat for the top of the lineup?-- Mike K., Oneida, N.Y.
Majewski has been impressive in Spring Training, showing no signs of the shoulder surgery that made him miss all of last season. He's shown the ability to hit for power and average in the Minor Leagues, which likely tabs him as a threat in the middle of the order as opposed to the top. Of course, that's down the road, much like the question specified.
The Orioles have a logjam in the outfield, and this spring they have allowed Majewski to play some first base -- where there's another crowd fighting for position on the big-league roster. Baltimore likely will allow the left-handed hitter to start the season at Triple-A, where he'll play both the outfield and first base and try to make up for lost time in the batter's box.
Majewski, much like fellow prospect Nick Markakis, has showed growth at each incremental stop along the way. He would've had a legitimate shot at breaking in with the big-league club last year and remains hopeful for that chance this season. At this point, Markakis has the inside track at starting the season with the club, but the O's can't make room for both prospects.
For now, the presence of Jeff Conine, Kevin Millar and Javy Lopez may complicate that process. All three are signed to one-year deals, though, meaning the future may begin soon in Baltimore. Conine has an option for next year that vests at 450 plate appearances, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see both Markakis and Majewski playing heavily in the second half of 2006.
I noticed that University of Texas' Brandon Fahey is on the 40-man roster. Where do you see him for the 2006 season? What do you think the Orioles plans are for him this year?-- Brandon S., Keller, Texas
Fahey is a glove man with a line-drive batting stroke, a player that closely resembles Arizona's Craig Counsell in ability and youthful appearance. He spent the entire season at Double-A Bowie last season, batting .291 with a .349 on-base percentage. This year, he'll likely move to Triple-A Ottawa and see if his offensive improvements stick at a higher level.
The left-handed hitter projects as a utilityman in the big leagues, and he's still young enough to develop into something more. Fahey, 25, has taken a normal progression through the Minors and may be ready to earn a late-season call-up to the big leagues when rosters expand in September.
Source: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/
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