Spring Training Update #2

11 days until Spring Break, 13 days until the fantasy baseball draft, 20 days until Orioles Opening Day; I don't know what I'm most excited about!

Bad news:

Rich Hill is injured. They say it's not serious, but that's not the way they're acting. They signed Adam Eaton (stupid, I'm seeing a pattern here) to a minor league deal. John Parrish and Brad Hennessey are also injured (I'm not as upset about this, although Parrish has always had good stuff, just no control). Prospect Troy Patton couldn't do anything in his first appearance since 2007 (he missed last year due to surgery) He gave up 3 hits and a walk in 2/3 of an inning, and allowed 2 runs.

Good news:

Brad Bergesen, a 23 year old who was the Orioles' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year, is emerging as a possible replacement. He won 15 games with a 3.22 ERA in AA last year, and pitched 3 scoreless innings in a recent spring training start, striking out 3. David Pauley also rebounded from his horrific start. He lowered his ERA from 108 to 10.50 by throwing 3 innings and allowing only 1 run, walking 0, and striking out 3. Chris Ray has dominated in his return from injury. In 3 scoreless innings, he's allowed only 1 hit and struck out 2. Wilfredo Perez, a sleeper to earn a bullpen spot, has allowed only 1 baserunner in 2 innings and struck out 2.

Former first round draft pick Brandon Snyder, a catcher converted into a first basemen, is off to a hot start and is 3 for 3 in 3 games, with 2 runs, a double, and a walk. The organization had lost a lot of hope after he had two poor seasons, but he rebounded last year and may get called up at some point this season. Scott Moore, who the Orioles designated for assignment to make room for Ty Wigginton but somehow managed to keep, is also hitting well. He's 4-10 with a triple and home run and I'm still mad that the O's chose Wigginton and Ryan Freel over him. Matt Wieters is performing well and hopefully will force the club to consider him as the starting catcher. He's 3-9 with a double and a home run.

For now the O's are 4-2 and there's more good news than bad news. But I would worry about the injury to Rich Hill; he's a solid #2 or 3 starter for the next few years if he can regain his control.