ORIOLES - 6/25/02

By: Kyle Smego

LATEST TEAM INFO:
I know what you’re thinking…Thank goodness someone has finally stepped forward to cover the Orioles. Well here’s a quick look at the first half of the season. The O’s are currently 35-38 and sit in third place in the AL East. Barring a major, I mean major, unraveling of the BoSox and Yanks, the Orioles are left playing for pride and the .500 mark. Overall, the Orioles have been a disappointment. However, there have been several players who have stepped up and played unexpected, key roles for the Birds.

Travis Driskill- The 30 year old RHP has put up great numbers since his call-up. In 5 starts he’s 3-0 (5 total W), posted a 3.51 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 27 K’s in 48.1 innings of work. Not bad for a nine year minor leaguer.

Rodrigo Lopez- Has posted great numbers this year (deserving of an All-Star nod?). He’s 6-3 in 11 starts, 2.70 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 51 K’s in 86.2 Inn. If you’re looking for pitching help, Lopez has shown he is worthy of a roster spot on your team.

Jorge Julio- After the pre-season battle for the closers spot, Julio has emerged as the #1 man. Julio has converted 15 of 19 save opportunities while posting a good ERA (2.80) and WHIP (1.25). He’s also managed to rack up four wins in the process. Need saves? Look for Jorge in your local Free Agent list.

Melvin Mora- Hargrove has been very happy with his lead-off man. He’s on pace for a 20-20 season. Currently he’s batting .251, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 30 BB, 45 R, 17 dbls, and 11 steals. Only worth a look if your in a deep league.

Marty Cordova- If this guy would ever play a full season, he’s a 25-30 HR threat. So far, in 59 games, Cordova has 9 HR, 34 RBI, 31 R and 13 dbls while batting .273. Again, worth a look in deep leagues.

Jay Gibbons- After a blistering start, Gibbons has slowed down. He’s still among the Orioles leaders in all categories and considered one of the teams cornerstones of the future. I’m looking for Gibbons to heat up after the All-Star Break (so is team owner, Peter Angelos).

Buddy Groom- Great set-up guy. Will help you in holds (12), ERA (2.08) and WHIP (0.92).

Tony Batista- The gem of the Orioles. Possibly their only All-Star selection has been as expected. 17 HR, 45 RBI, 45 R, 19 dbls, 53 BB and 4 SB. His swing is ugly but, the outcome is sweet.

INJURIES:
6/19/2002 P Sidney Ponson day-to-day. (Left game 6/19 - Bruised wrist)

6/15/2002 1B Jeff Conine on 15-day DL. (Mild strain right hamstring) His stint here is going to be longer than expected, according to Manager Mike Hargrove.

6/7/2002 P Calvin Maduro on 15-day DL. (Fractured bone spur, right elbow)

5/18/2002 DH David Segui on 60-day DL. (Left wrist surgery - out 2-3 months)

3/30/2002 P John Parrish on 60-day DL. (Torn right ACL - out for season)

3/30/2002 P Pat Hentgen on 60-day DL. (Ligament replacement surgery)

3/30/2002 RF Chris Richard on 60-day DL. (Left shoulder surgery)

3/29/2002 RF Albert Belle on 60-day DL. (Osteoarthritis of the right hip) I don’t even know why they bother.

3/29/2002 P Luis Rivera on 60-day DL. (Right shoulder inflammation)

ON THE FARM:
Players in the "Will Help Soon" section could see major-league action in 2002. Players in the "Will Help Someday" section shouldn't reach the majors until '03 or later, though of course that can change.

Will Help Soon:
Sean Douglass, RHP: May make the major-league rotation. No ace potential, but throws 90-92 and has a good slider. Could be a solid fourth starter with experience.

Kris Foster, RHP: Acquired from the Dodgers, and will have a shot at a bullpen role. Throws hard, has learned to throw strikes, but has trouble staying healthy. Slots well in middle relief.

Willie Harris, 2B/CF: Excellent work ethic. Runs well, swiped 54 in Double-A last year while hitting .305. Decent with the glove, but will need to take advantage of a brief window before Fontenot is ready.

Tim Raines Jr., OF: Stole 57 bases at four levels, and got to play with his dad. Needs more experience, but he made progress last year honing the strike zone and developing his power.

John Stephens, RHP: Doesn't throw hard at all, no faster than 87 mph on a good day. Mixes breaking pitches and changeups, with exceptional control, to get people out. Posted 191/40 K/BB ratio in Double-A and Triple-A.

Will Help Someday:
Steve Bechler, RHP: Similar to Douglass but a year behind on the development curve. Has decent stuff, decent control, not spectacular but gets the job done.

Erik Bedard, LHP: Went 9-3 with 2.14 ERA in 17 starts for Class A Frederick, with 130/26 K/BB ratio. Durability is a concern. Standard 88-91 mph fastball, with good curve and changeup.

Keith Reed, OF: Great athlete, but hasn't done a whole lot with the bat just yet. Needs at least a year of Triple-A. Orioles won gamble that he wouldn't be picked in Rule 5 draft.

Ed Rogers, SS: Scouts like him, but his strike zone judgment is horrible. Hit .260 in half-a-season of Class A, but just .199 with 40 strikeouts in 191 at-bats in Double-A.

Rich Stahl, LHP: Best ceiling in the system, with 95-mph lefty fastball and impressive curve. Missed half of season with elbow trouble, and will not be rushed.

KEY SLEEPER::
Cory Morris, RHP: Watch this guy. 15th-round pick in 2001 out of Dallas Baptist. Posted 3.38 ERA in 12 starts at Class A Frederick after signing, using 94-mph fastball and good curve to strike out 81 in 69 innings. Major sleeper.

NEWS, NOTES & PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Gary Matthews Jr. has seen an increase in playing time because of the lack of production from Chris Singleton. He has the potential to help your team out in HR and steals. If your looking for a replacement in your deep league, keep your eye on him.

Jeff Conine is still on the DL. He was scheduled to be activated on Sunday, but according to the Baltimore Sun, he will spend some more time on the DL. See how his recovery comes along before picking him up.

Jerry Hairston has had a horrible first half. He was bothered by a nagging hamstring injury in the start of the season and then lost playing time to Brian Roberts. When healthy, and playing, he can steal a lot of bases. Hargrove has said he wants to get Jerry back into the full time role, so keep a close watch on him.

Jason Johnson- According to the Baltimore Sun, the O's will likely send Johnson to Triple-A Rochester before Tuesday's game against the Yanks

Jose Leon was recently called up from from Rochester of the International League (AAA). He has no fantasy value.

Sidney Ponson- see The Rumor Mill

Albert Belle…….Just kidding

RUMOR MILL:
Yes. I saved the best for last. The rumor and trade talks. There have been a number of talks involving key players coming to, and leaving, the O’s.

There has been talk of Richard Hidalgo coming to Baltimore. With good young prospects in the Astros farm system, this remains a possibility.

However, the most likely of the two current rumors is Sidney Ponson to Cincinnati. The Reds have long coveted Ponson. There has been no word of who would be involved in the trade however. This could have a major impact on Ponsons production if he was to be traded.

TEAM LEADERS
HR
Batista 17
Gibbons 11
Conine 10
Cordova 9
Mora 9

RBI
Batista 45
Conine 45
Cordova 34
Gibbons 32
Mora 29
Gil 29

R
Batista 45
Mora 45
Gibbons 35
Cordova 31
Singleton 30

2B
Batista 19
Mora 17
Gibbons 15
Conine 14
Matthews 14
Singleton 14

BB
Mora 30
Gibbons 29
Batista 24
Bordick 23
Cordova 18

SB
Mora 11
Hairston 8
Singleton 8
Roberts 7
Matthews 6

TB
Batista 143
Conine 113
Mora 108
Gibbons 106
Cordova 101

BA (min 40 gms)
Matthews .277
Cordova .273
Batista .265
Conine .262
Mora .251

W (SP)
Lopez 6
Driskill 5
Erickson 3
Ponson 3
Johnson 2

SV
Julio 15
Bauer 1
Groom 1
Roberts 1

K
Ponson 63
Lopez 51
Erickson 40
Johnson 34
Maduro 29

ERA
Roberts 1.80
Groom 2.08
Lopez 2.70
Julio 2.80
Driskill 3.51
Ponson 4.07
Johnson 4.27
Erickson 4.76

WHIP
Groom 0.92
Lopez 1.13
Julio 1.25
Johnson 1.27
Roberts 1.30
Driskill 1.34
Ponson 1.34