Star Search
February 19, 2003
Orioles right-handed pitching prospect Steve Bechler died earlier this week after collapsing from heat exhaustion and dehydration on the practice field. Bechler, a third-round pick of the 1998 draft, spent most of last year at Triple-A Rochester, going 6-11 with a 4.09 ERA in 24 starts. The righthander made three relief appearances with the Orioles, with his major league debut coming September 6 against the Anaheim Angels. He was supposed to start this season at Ottawa, the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate. Bechler was 35-48 with a 3.82 ERA in five minor league seasons. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Orioles organization.
At a glance….2002 in review
Record: 67-95, 4th in AL East
AVG: G. Matthews, .276
HR: T. Batista, 31
RBI: T. Batista, 87
RUNS: T. Batista, 90
SB: J. Hairston, 21
BB: M. Mora, 70
W: R. Lopez, 15
SV: J. Julio, 25
IP: R. Lopez, 196.2
K: R. Lopez, 136
ERA: R. Lopez, 3.57
Players signed: SS Deivi Cruz, LHP Omar Daal, RHP Pat Hentgen, RHP Kerry Ligtenberg, LHP Bill Pulsipher, IF Jeff Reboulet, IF John Valentin, RHP Rick Helling, C/OF B.J. Surhoff.
Players lost: RHP Calvin Maduro, SS Mike Bordick, LHP Yorkis Perez, OF Chris Singleton
Projected lineup:
1. Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B
2. Gary Mathews Jr., OF
3. David Segui, DH
4. Tony Batista, 3B
5. Jay Gibbons, OF
6. Jeff Conine, 1B
7. Melvin Mora, OF
8. Geronimo Gil, C
9. Deivi Cruz, SS
Well everyone knows by now that something is missing in the O’s lineup…offense. Last season, the Orioles had the worst team batting average, second-lowest OBP and second fewest walks in the AL. This past offseason, the team tried to land some instant offense but nothing seemed to fall into place. The Orioles missed out on signing Pudge Rodriguez, Cliff Floyd, Hideki Matsui and Jose Cruz Jr. Instead they signed Deivi Cruz, Jeff Reboulet, John Valentin and BJ Surhoff. These really weren’t the “sluggers” they were hoping for but Cruz should be somewhat of an offensive improvement at SS. After 3 wrist operations in past 19 months, Jay Gibbons claims to be pain-free and ready for the season. He had 15 home runs over half a season in 2001 and 28 home runs last year despite having two leftover sutures pressing against a nerve in his right wrist. The Orioles are counting on him to be ready and if he is 30-35 HR’s isn’t out of reach.
Projected rotation:
1. Rodrigo Lopez, R
2. Omar Daal, L
3. Sidney Ponson, R
4. Jason Johnson, R
5. Pat Hentgen, R
The Orioles are going into Spring Training with 7 established starters on their roster: Rodrigo Lopez, Omar Daal, Sidney Ponson, Jason Johnson, Pat Hentgen, Scott Erickson and Rick Helling. The O’s loaded up on pitching because of the injury plagued past of Pat Hentgen and Scott Erickson. Hentgen is coming back from reconstructive elbow surgery that he had in Aug 2001. In his 4 starts last season, he went 0-4 with a whopping 7.77 ERA. Scott Erickson went 2-4 with an 8.19 ERA after the All-Star break and was diagnosed with a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder this offseason. Youngsters John Stephens and Sean Douglass, who will likely start the season at Triple-A Ottawa, will be waiting in the wings should Hentgen or Erickson go down.
Rumor Mill:
The Orioles haven’t given up on the idea of adding some offensive punch to their lineup. Rumors have been floating around about the possiblity of trading Sidney Ponson or Jason Johnson. With an excess of quality arms, look for a big trade before the end of spring training. I’ll keep you posted if any big names emerge.
Check back next week for Player Profiles, predictions and a preview of the O's future stars.
