Erik Bedard
15-11, 3.76 ERA, 196.1 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 7.84 K/9
Grade: A
2007 outlook: Bedard should be the Orioles opening day starter if nothing changes. Started the year off good, then had a bad spell before turning it on for the second half. Pitched like an ace from June 21st on. He gives some hope that our other pitchers can make similar strides in the not too distant future. Should be considered almost untouchable and signed to a long term deal soon.
Daniel Cabrera
9-10, 4.74 ERA, 148 IP, 1.58 WHIP, 9.55 K/9
Grade: C
2007 outlook: We got more of the same from Cabrera this year. Still struck out a boat load of hitters, still walked almost as much. Was very inconsistent, one night throwing an absolute gem, the next night walking 5 in 3 innings. Cabrera got demoted in the middle of the season and he pitched a little better after returning. His last game of the season was a high note, shutting out the Yankees with a one hitter. Enters next year in the starting rotation.
Kris Benson
11-12, 4.82 ERA, 183 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 4.33 K/9
Grade: C-
2007 outlook: The Orioles got what they should have expected from Benson, he has always been around a .500 record with a mid-4′s ERA. Did a good job eating up innings and got a few tough losses and no decisions along the way. Benson could demand a trade in the off-season, but he will most likely return to the back end of the rotation. Look for more of the same.
Adam Loewen
6-6, 5.37 ERA, 112.1 IP, 1.54 WHIP, 7.85 K/9
Grade: C-
2007 outlook: Loewen should start off the year at the back end of the rotation. He pitched admirably for the Orioles, being brought up earlier than expected and holding his own on most nights. Seemed to improve as the year went on. He needs to get his walks under control, and like Cabrera, could be a top flight starter if he does.
Rodrigo Lopez
9-18, 5.90 ERA, 189 IP, 1.55 WHIP, 6.48 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Rodrigo was supposed to be a bright spot for our rotation and hold down the fort until the prospects were ready. Instead we got one of the worst pitchers (performance wise) in Major League Baseball. He got moved to the bullpen and still almost got 20 losses. Could be back as a long man in the bullpen next year or he could be traded in the off season.
Bruce Chen
0-7, 6.93 ERA, 98.2 IP, 1.74 WHIP, 6.39 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Chen will not be pitching for the Orioles next year. I’d be surprised to see him pitching anywhere in the majors next year, unless its as emergency long man in the bullpen. Chen was supposed to combo with Rodrigo Lopez to be a big part of the rotation. Instead, he pitched even worse than Rodrigo and most definitely would have reached 20 losses if he didn’t get moved to the bullpen fairly early on. Thanks for the solid year and a half of pitching Bruce, good luck in your future.
Hayden Penn
0-4, 15.10 ERA, 19.2 IP, 2.59 WHIP, 3.66 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Penn is one of the Orioles best prospects (if not the best), but he struggled mightily in his September cup of coffee. Despite that, he still pitched excellent at AAA Ottawa and is still going to be a very big part of future Baltimore Oriole teams. Came back from his emergency appendectomy quite nicely and should compete for a spot in the rotation in Spring Training. If he doesn’t win a spot, he could either pitch out of the bullpen until ready or pitch at AAA Norfolk until ready.
James Johnson
0-1, 24.00 ERA, 3 IP, 4.00 WHIP, 0.00 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Johnson came up for a spot start and got bombed. He clearly wasn’t ready and I’m pretty sure everyone already knew that before that but they needed someone and he was the best option we had. He will pitch in AA or AAA for all of 2007 and hopefully will continue to work and improve to be ready to contribute in the Majors some day in the future.