Kurt Birkins
5-2, 4.94 ERA, 31 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 7.84 K/9
Grade: C-
2007 outlook: Birkins started off hot after being called up and then got hit hard just before he got injured and missed the last 2 months of the season. His poor stretch may have been a result from the injury, but his good start may have been fluky since he never really showed much dominance in the minors. He’ll most likely get the chance to prove which pitcher was the real Birkins in Spring Training, with a shot at the 2007 bullpen.
Brian Burres
0-0, 2.25 ERA, 8 IP, 0.88 WHIP, 6.75 K/9
Grade: B-
2007 outlook: Burres looked good in a brief look in September. He also pitched good all year as a starter for AAA Ottawa. He’ll get a good look in Spring Training next year for a spot in the bullpen.
John Halama
3-1, 6.14 ERA, 29.1 IP, 1.74 WHIP, 3.68 K/9
Grade: D-
2007 outlook: Halama will not pitch for the Orioles in 2007. I doubt he pitches anywhere for that matter. He did have a decent start thrown in there with his not-so-decent stats. Halama was just too old and didn’t strike anyone out.
Tim Byrdak
1-0, 12.86 ERA, 7 IP, 3.14 WHIP, 2.57 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: Byrdak pitched awful in 2006, before and after he went on the disabled list. I don’t see Tim having any kind of role on the big league club in 2007, maybe a minor league spot.
Eric DuBose
0-0, 9.64 ERA, 4.2 IP, 2.79 WHIP, 3.86 K/9
Grade: F
2007 outlook: DuBose pitched in 2 games early on in the season before being sent down to the minors, never to return. DuBose was awful, as were most Oriole left handed relievers, and isn’t going to be a part of the bullpen in 2007 either.
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