Star Search....Continues
February 28, 2003
Orioles right-handed pitching prospect Steve Bechler died earlier this month 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.
Latest Team News
Scott Erickson will undergo season ending surgery on his torn labrum next week. Erickson came into spring training hoping to pitch through his injury but now will miss the entire season. His days as an Oriole are likely over. This is his final year of his contract and will become a free agent at the end of the year. Once penciled in as the Orioles left fielder, Marty Cordova is battling for his starting job with veteran BJ Surhoff. Both outfielders are coming off an injury plagued season. Look for the O's to platoon in left field with the left handed hitting Surhoff getting the bulk of the AB's.
Rumor Mill
Team VP, Jim Beattie, has expressed interest in acquiring veteran free agent pitchers Chuck Finley and Kenny Rogers. If they can land one of these veterans, it may be easier for them to trade Sidney Ponson or Jason Johnson for a much needed power hitter. The Orioles are still trying to work out a deal with the Colorado Rockies for outfielder Jack Cust. Cust, one of the Rockies top prospects, has excelled at every level in the minor leagues. The Rockies are said to be interested in OF/1B, Chris Richard. This shouldn't be a problem for the O's since they don't have anywhere to play Richards. The Orioles still say that they still plan to use Geronimo Gil as their starting catcher but have shown interest in the Montreal's C Michael Barrett.
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. BJ Surhoff/Marty Cordova, OF
8. Geronimo Gil, C
9. Deivi Cruz, SS
The Orioles plan to use Melvin Mora and Brian Roberts as their backup outfielders. With Conine at first, Segui at DH and the OF full, Chris Richards may be the odd man out. 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. If the Orioles fail to add some power to their lineup they may be forced to run more. CF Gary Mathews Jr. could swipe 25+ bases this year.
Projected rotation:
1. Rodrigo Lopez
2. Omar Daal
3. Sidney Ponson
4,5 Jason Johnson, Pat Hentgen, Rick Helling
Pat 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. Youngsters John Stephens and Sean Douglass, who will likely start the season at Triple-A Ottawa, will be waiting in the wings should Hentgen fail.
Coming next week.....A look at the Orioles Minor League Prospects.
