No team had as interesting a year as the Orioles in 2012. Their pitching staff was a game of trial and error that statistically wasn’t very good but still put them in the playoffs and got them past the mighty Texas Rangers in the Wild Card round. The most amazing stat for the Orioles is that despite having just one pitcher throw more than 135 innings they still won 93 games.
Starting Rotation
Ace: Jason Hammel (B-)
2. Wei-Yin Chen (B)
3. Miguel Gonzalez (B)
4. Chris Tillman (B)
5. Steve Johnson (B)
In the mix: Jair Jurrgens, Zach Britton, Jake Arrieta, Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter
Down the road: Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Tsuyoshi Wada
Yeah, that's a lot of arms.
The Orioles didn't make any roster moves but their rotation should still be much more secure. I don't know why so many people expect the Orioles to take such a significant step back.
Consider this: In 2012 Tommy Hunter, Jake Arrieta, Brian Matusz and Zach Britton made 65 starts (40% of the team total) and combined for an ERA of 5.66. They were terrible. Hunter, Matusz and Arrieta were in the rotation until the early days of July. Britton made some fill in starts later on. After that, Chris Tillman and rookie Miguel Gonzalez, with rookie Steve Johnson in a limited role, emerged as major and significant players.
If you combine the stats from their starts they come out to 34 starts and 201.2 innings, which is close to the expected season total for one pitcher. They combined for a 21-7 record and 3.12 ERA. 21 wins and a low-3 ERA! Those three should start the season in the rotation instead of that three-headed monster of Hunter, Arrieta, and Matusz.
That being said, Arrieta, Matusz and Britton are young guys with potential who can still step in and contribute should there be a need.
Jason Hammel is a seasoned vet who came out as somewhat of a surprise ace since he's been lost in Colorado for three years. He's not a star, but for a lower-budget team that didn't expect one, he looks good and capable of leading a rotation. After that it's a whole lot of promising youthful potential led by Wei-Yin Chen from Taiwan, who went start to finish in quality fashion as a rookie in America.
There will be a battle in Spring Training for those spots in the rotation. We know that Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen have secured their roles atop. Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman are likely to grab two of the others. That leaves Steve Johnson and 2011 All-Star Jair Jurrgens (along with everyone else) contending for that final starting spot. I've got no problem with that.
Should someone stumble or fall out later on, the Orioles have two of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball getting ready, Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman. Look for them to make an impact in September.
There is a lot of uncertainty with this group but there is nothing alarming or concerning. And for all the youth on the roster they have all gained big-game experience, have one of the league's best coaches of young players, and all seem healthy heading into the season. And they have tasted winning, something that had been absent in Baltimore baseball for over 15 years.
Overall Grade: B
Pitching Depth: A-
Biggest Strength: Potential
Biggest Concern: Lack of experience
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