Baseball Prospectus 1996
He had a terrible doghouse: a player who suffered a poor performance or didn't meet his standards for play would disappear for games at a time, while Regan would direct his complaints to the player via the media. Sherman Obando, Bret Barberie and especially Jamie Moyer were some of Regan's biggest victims.
But that's over now. Peter Angelos was angry with his manager for failing to win, angry with his front office for not pursuing Ron Gant (who had a fine year in Cincinnati), and finished the year by cleaning the house out. He apparently decided that, since getting some of the top player personnel available hadn't worked, he needed to get some of the top management personnel. Say hello to Davey Johnson, fresh from a division title with Cincinnati, where he was kicked out by a moralistic Marge Schott. Say hello to Pat Gillick, architect of the excellent Blue Jays teams of the '80s and '90s. Pete's given them a free hand to get players, and they've been one of the most active teams this winter, making trades (for David Wells and Kent Mercker) and signing free agents (notably Roberto Alomar, B.J. Surhoff, and Randy Myers). They've exceeded his stated budget by about 20%, but he's pursuing a title and won't be satisfied until he has one.
MANNY ALEXANDER 1971 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 FRD 559 127 12 2 3 25 25 9 .227 .260 .272 .191 107 35 1992 HAG 499 114 18 5 3 20 30 9 .228 .258 .303 .205 102 38 1993 ROC 468 104 15 4 5 21 18 6 .222 .256 .303 .200 93 33 1994 ROC 424 97 16 4 4 13 26 7 .229 .252 .314 .207 88 33 1995 BAL 240 58 7 1 2 17 14 5 .242 .292 .304 .219 52 21 1996 PRJ 415 105 13 4 6 20 32 9 .253 .287 .347 .235 98 43Manny is an extreme example of the overbilling of a prospect. He was considered an untouchable player for several years, highly pursued by other teams, and yet...He has never hit well; even without adjusting, his batting has been poor. He is supposed to be a wonderful defensive SS, but neither he, nor any team for which he has played, has had good defensive statistics. Moved to second base because of Cal, he was outmatched in every objective measure of defense by Bret Barberie, hardly renowned as a defensive standout. He does have two good tools: a strong arm, which undoubtedly impressed many when he played short, and good speed. He is not a good ballplayer, and seems unlikely to be a good ballplayer.
EDGAR ALFONZO 1967 2B-SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PSP 296 68 7 2 3 21 3 3 .230 .281 .297 .201 60 21 1991 MID 81 18 1 1 2 1 0 0 .222 .232 .333 .193 16 5 1992 PSP 253 76 10 1 3 18 1 2 .300 .347 .383 .259 65 30 1992 MID 222 58 7 1 3 23 2 1 .261 .331 .342 .241 53 23 1993 BOW 464 114 17 2 4 29 9 3 .246 .290 .317 .217 101 39 1994 BOW 501 130 18 1 11 50 12 7 .259 .327 .365 .246 123 57 1995 BOW 112 30 4 0 1 8 1 1 .268 .317 .330 .230 26 11 1995 ROC 54 9 1 0 1 2 0 0 .167 .196 .241 .124 7 1Suffered through injuries, but he's never been as much of a prospect as his brother Edgardo, in the Met system.
ROBERTO ALOMAR 1968 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TOR 633 189 37 10 9 55 65 11 .299 .355 .431 .288 183 102 1992 TOR 575 189 25 9 9 86 53 8 .329 .416 .450 .316 182 111 1993 TOR 580 189 32 6 15 76 63 13 .326 .404 .479 .317 184 114 1994 TOR 386 119 20 3 6 46 23 9 .308 .382 .422 .288 111 61 1995 TOR 511 155 19 6 11 41 38 4 .303 .355 .429 .287 147 79 1996 PRJ 601 192 32 6 16 70 50 8 .319 .390 .473 .311 187 112The most significant acquisition the Orioles made this winter, one which should turn a very weak position in 1995 into a great strength in 1996. Alomar has been the topic of one of the most vehement arguments in the baseball analytical community, specifically, his fielding. The general public and traditional statistics say that he is the best second baseman there is. The analysts point out that he is average or below in range factor (essentially, assists and putouts per game), as well as in more detailed defensive statistics like Defensive Average. A lot has been written in support of both sides: he's flashier than others in making the routine play; he plays too deep, which makes his range look better while actually making it worse; he knocks down a lot of balls without making an out; it's the fast carpet or coach-ordered positioning that's causing the bad numbers.
However, in the time from 1988-95, the DA of his backups has been very poor; only three other players have backups with worse DAs, and all of them have DAs much worse than Alomar. Alomar exceeds his teammate's DA by 41 points, more than anyone else except Craig Biggio, at +42. Others in the same vicinity are Delino DeShields at +33, Robby Thompson at +36, Billy Ripken at +37, Ryne Sandberg and Carlos Baerga at +27 apiece: none of him are labeled bad second basemen. I think there is a problem with the statistics that we've been slow to recognize and revise.
BRADY ANDERSON 1964 LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ROC 25 9 2 0 0 6 4 1 .360 .484 .440 .343 9 6 1991 BAL 258 64 12 3 2 38 16 5 .248 .345 .341 .252 65 32 1992 BAL 628 181 27 11 23 96 58 15 .288 .383 .476 .303 191 117 1993 BAL 553 146 33 7 12 78 29 11 .264 .355 .414 .273 151 81 1994 BAL 444 112 19 4 9 51 35 1 .252 .329 .374 .264 117 59 1995 BAL 546 144 30 9 13 80 33 8 .264 .358 .423 .279 153 85 1996 PRJ 578 146 24 4 16 96 23 1 .253 .359 .391 .273 158 84A sensational left fielder who never turned out quite as good as hoped. He's not the ideal lead-off hitter, because he doesn't get on base enough, but has filled the spot because he came closer to the ideal than anyone else the O's had. His numbers against left-handed pitchers have fallen considerably, and he would benefit from being platooned, or at least moved lower in the order against left-handers.
BRET BARBERIE 1968 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 IND 220 67 8 2 9 51 10 4 .305 .435 .482 .321 71 46 1991 MON 143 56 12 2 3 21 0 0 .392 .470 .566 .359 51 34 1992 IND 43 17 1 0 3 0 0 1 .395 .395 .628 .334 14 9 1992 MON 288 72 7 0 3 48 9 5 .250 .357 .306 .242 70 32 1993 FLA 374 103 14 2 4 33 2 4 .275 .334 .356 .244 91 40 1994 FLA 365 107 14 2 4 23 2 0 .293 .335 .375 .254 93 42 1995 BAL 234 58 7 1 2 33 4 4 .248 .341 .312 .233 55 24 1996 PRJ 337 94 13 2 7 41 3 2 .279 .357 .392 .266 90 45Barberie never got along with Phil Regan. He started out in a slump, and found himself on the bench, only working back to the lineup as Alexander's lack of hitting ability became apparent. His brilliant performances in 1991 and early 1992 were out-of-line with what he'd done before, as well as what he's done since. Has since a minor league contract with the Cubs.
KIMERA BARTEE 1973 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 FRD 521 134 12 2 5 41 29 7 .257 .311 .317 .233 121 52 1995 BOW 219 57 6 1 2 18 17 5 .260 .316 .324 .239 52 23 1995 ROC 52 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 .135 .135 .192 **** -5 -1A speedy, good defensive center fielder, Bartee was traded to the Twins for Scott Erickson and then taken back in the Rule V draft. His season was interrupted by shin splints early in the year, and a broken hand suffered while diving for a catch, but he had recovered by the end of the season. The Orioles were loathe to give him up, and they'll definitely be keeping him on the full season, as a pinch runner/defensive replacement at least.
KEVIN BASS 1959 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PHX 40 11 3 1 1 1 1 0 .275 .293 .475 .269 11 5 1991 SFG 371 97 12 4 11 36 7 3 .261 .327 .404 .257 96 47 1992 SFG 270 79 11 3 9 17 8 7 .293 .334 .456 .272 73 38 1993 HOU 230 66 11 1 4 27 8 1 .287 .362 .396 .275 63 33 1993 NYM 137 38 10 2 2 7 8 2 .277 .312 .423 .264 36 18 1994 HOU 203 65 14 1 5 28 2 3 .320 .403 .473 .303 61 36 1995 BAL 293 74 7 1 4 20 11 10 .253 .300 .324 .220 64 26 1996 PRJ 228 52 9 1 4 27 4 5 .228 .310 .329 .223 51 21Bass played very well until July, when he utterly collapsed, slugging just .168 in July and August.
CLAY BELLINGER 1969 SS-3B-OF-2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SJO 374 84 16 1 6 32 7 2 .225 .286 .321 .215 81 31 1992 SHV 440 87 11 1 12 32 7 5 .198 .252 .309 .193 85 29 1993 PHX 395 81 10 1 5 30 5 4 .205 .261 .273 .183 72 23 1994 PHX 327 75 9 1 4 15 5 1 .229 .263 .300 .198 65 22 1995 PHX 269 64 9 1 2 24 3 2 .238 .300 .301 .213 57 22Acquired to fill out the Rochester roster.
HAROLD BERRIOS 1972 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 AGA 149 25 1 1 2 12 1 0 .168 .230 .228 .142 21 5 1994 AGA 166 50 7 1 4 14 8 1 .301 .356 .428 .283 47 25 1994 FRD 328 100 5 1 7 23 29 10 .305 .350 .390 .271 89 45 1995 FRD 245 48 3 2 7 27 8 3 .196 .276 .310 .208 51 20 1995 BOW 210 48 6 0 5 20 10 2 .229 .296 .329 .228 48 20After surprising the Orioles in 1994, he let them down this year. and didn't play well in either Arizona or Venezuela this winter. Poor defensively, 1994 is looking like a freak occurrence.
GREG BLOSSER 1971 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 NBR 463 95 15 2 8 46 6 3 .205 .277 .298 .201 93 33 1992 NBR 448 109 13 2 21 55 0 1 .243 .326 .422 .259 116 58 1993 PAW 476 99 14 1 16 52 3 2 .208 .286 .342 .219 104 42 1993 BOS 28 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 .071 .133 .107 **** -4 -1 1994 PAW 348 83 11 1 13 37 10 3 .239 .312 .388 .248 86 41 1995 TRN 183 46 7 0 10 9 3 2 .251 .286 .454 .254 46 23 1995 PAW 50 9 0 0 1 4 0 0 .180 .241 .240 .153 8 2 1996 PRJ 309 74 16 0 14 31 3 2 .239 .309 .427 .255 79 39Perrennial Red Sox power prospect who just couldn't make contact often enough to make it.
BOBBY BONILLA 1963 OF-3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PIT 596 197 46 5 21 92 2 3 .331 .420 .530 .325 194 121 1992 NYM 450 126 19 1 25 71 4 3 .280 .378 .493 .298 134 79 1993 NYM 505 138 21 3 31 71 3 3 .273 .363 .511 .296 149 88 1994 NYM 399 117 18 1 18 55 1 3 .293 .379 .479 .295 118 67 1995 BAL 233 79 11 4 8 20 0 2 .339 .391 .524 .312 73 42 1995 NYM 320 110 23 4 17 30 0 3 .344 .400 .600 .331 106 67 1996 PRJ 588 169 30 5 27 78 2 3 .287 .371 .493 .296 174 101Coming off his best season since 1991. Indications are that he'll play mainly in the outfield and occasionally DH or play third.
JARVIS BROWN 1967 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 POR 429 108 3 4 4 26 20 9 .252 .295 .305 .218 93 36 1991 MIN 37 8 0 0 0 2 8 1 .216 .256 .216 .213 8 3 1992 POR 223 53 5 1 3 15 13 1 .238 .286 .309 .223 50 20 1993 LVG 382 93 16 3 3 32 15 4 .243 .302 .325 .228 87 36 1993 SDP 133 31 8 2 0 15 3 3 .233 .311 .323 .223 30 12 1994 RIC 272 68 8 3 3 31 7 2 .250 .327 .335 .239 65 29 1995 BOW 221 57 7 1 5 26 9 2 .258 .336 .367 .255 56 27 1995 NOR 150 41 7 2 1 16 6 2 .273 .343 .367 .257 39 19 1995 ROC 69 19 4 1 0 9 1 1 .275 .359 .362 .257 18 9 1995 BAL 27 4 1 0 0 6 1 1 .148 .303 .185 .167 5 1An inexplicable September call up by the Orioles. Has no future in this organization, or in major league baseball.
GREGG CASTALDO 1971 2B-SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KNE 38 4 1 0 0 2 1 1 .105 .150 .132 **** -5 -1 1993 FRD 212 36 4 0 0 21 2 1 .170 .245 .189 .128 27 5 1994 FRD 236 56 3 4 4 20 1 0 .237 .297 .335 .223 53 21 1995 BOW 268 57 8 2 2 31 4 2 .213 .294 .280 .203 54 20 JIM CROWLEY 1970 2B-3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ELM 258 44 4 0 6 22 2 2 .171 .236 .256 .159 41 11 1992 LYN 399 88 10 1 7 25 1 1 .221 .267 .303 .197 79 27 1993 NBR 376 85 11 1 9 49 3 4 .226 .315 .332 .227 85 36 1993 PAW 35 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 .143 .189 .143 **** -3 0 1994 LYN 108 17 2 0 1 13 1 0 .157 .248 .204 .141 15 3 1994 NBR 225 40 1 1 5 22 2 2 .178 .251 .258 .168 38 11 1995 BOW 100 20 2 0 2 19 1 1 .200 .328 .280 .216 22 9 1995 ROC 98 15 1 0 1 6 0 1 .153 .202 .194 .080 8 1You'd expect the son of a major league hitting instructor to hit a little better, yes?
CESAR DEVAREZ 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 FRD 239 52 7 1 3 7 1 1 .218 .240 .293 .180 43 13 1992 HAG 320 62 5 1 2 13 2 3 .194 .225 .234 .141 45 10 1993 FRD 125 29 5 0 1 10 1 2 .232 .289 .296 .202 25 9 1993 BOW 175 36 5 1 0 3 3 1 .206 .219 .246 .151 26 6 1994 BOW 248 70 9 2 4 5 5 1 .282 .296 .383 .243 60 26 1995 ROC 238 52 7 1 1 6 2 1 .218 .238 .269 .170 40 11Great defensively, offensive offensively.
MIKE DEVEREAUX 1963 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BAL 613 171 27 10 20 45 21 10 .279 .328 .454 .272 167 87 1992 BAL 658 192 28 12 26 41 12 7 .292 .333 .489 .282 186 100 1993 BAL 523 133 29 3 13 39 4 3 .254 .306 .396 .245 128 59 1994 BAL 298 59 6 2 7 19 1 2 .198 .246 .302 .185 55 18 1995 CWS 331 106 17 1 9 21 8 8 .320 .361 .459 .283 94 50 1995 ATL 55 14 2 0 1 2 2 0 .255 .281 .345 .229 13 5 1996 PRJ 393 107 16 3 10 25 11 8 .272 .316 .405 .253 99 47Jump-started his career with the White Sox, but faded after joining the Braves. He can play every outfield position, although his arm is weak, and has the inside track on the fourth outfield spot. A popular Oriole, a lot of people in Baltimore will be happy to have him back. Unfortunately, I fear a lot of people in Boston and New York are happy, too.
JASON FRIEDMAN 1970 1B-OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ELM 260 55 4 1 5 20 1 0 .212 .268 .292 .194 50 17 1992 LYN 504 115 11 1 9 34 3 2 .228 .277 .308 .204 103 37 1993 NBR 297 68 11 1 1 15 1 0 .229 .266 .283 .190 56 18 1994 SAR 464 135 22 5 9 16 2 2 .291 .315 .418 .257 119 55 1995 PAW 50 14 3 0 1 2 0 0 .280 .308 .400 .249 12 6 1995 BOW 230 49 6 0 3 11 1 1 .213 .249 .278 .178 41 12 1995 ROC 60 21 3 0 3 5 0 0 .350 .400 .550 .325 19 12Had a big year in 1994, playing in Florida against kids three years younger then himself.
LEO GOMEZ 1967 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ROC 100 24 3 0 5 13 0 0 .240 .327 .420 .259 26 13 1991 BAL 394 99 17 2 17 39 1 1 .251 .319 .434 .260 103 51 1992 BAL 471 133 21 1 19 62 3 3 .282 .366 .452 .284 134 73 1993 BAL 242 49 5 0 10 30 0 1 .202 .290 .347 .220 53 22 1994 BAL 279 75 15 1 12 36 0 0 .269 .352 .459 .281 78 43 1995 BAL 126 31 5 0 3 16 0 1 .246 .331 .357 .241 30 14 1996 PRJ 181 46 8 1 7 26 0 0 .254 .348 .425 .270 49 26Another player who endured Regan's wrath. Leo reported to the Orioles out of shape, never really got untracked, and broke a bone in his foot that didn't heal properly. He's big and slow, and was released by the Orioles in December. Signed a minor league contract with the Cubs.
JEFFREY HAMMONDS 1971 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 BOW 93 24 0 0 3 7 3 2 .258 .310 .355 .236 22 10 1993 ROC 150 43 7 1 3 4 6 2 .287 .305 .407 .254 38 18 1993 BAL 104 32 7 0 3 1 4 0 .308 .314 .462 .278 29 15 1994 BAL 245 71 14 2 6 14 6 0 .290 .328 .437 .272 67 34 1995 BOW 31 11 1 1 1 9 2 0 .355 .500 .548 .374 12 9 1995 BAL 177 44 9 1 3 7 5 2 .249 .277 .362 .227 40 17 1996 PRJ 261 79 14 3 4 17 12 5 .303 .345 .425 .274 72 37The #1 draft pick of the O's in 1992, the fourth player taken overall, Hammonds was labeled the "next Rickey Henderson" coming out of Stanford. He's proven to be a fragile player. Had knee surgery in the 1994 offseason, and tried to play for the first couple of months with a huge brace on his leg, but he was obviously tentative about running. Missed most of the year with more injuries, but appeared in a couple of September games, and is scheduled to be the starting left fielder in '96.
CHRIS HOILES 1965 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BAL 344 90 11 1 12 28 0 2 .262 .317 .404 .251 86 40 1992 BAL 312 91 12 1 21 55 0 2 .292 .398 .538 .315 98 62 1993 BAL 412 130 22 1 28 65 1 1 .316 .409 .578 .331 136 89 1994 BAL 324 78 10 1 14 58 2 0 .241 .356 .407 .269 87 46 1995 BAL 346 88 15 1 16 63 1 0 .254 .369 .442 .283 98 55 1996 PRJ 423 114 17 0 20 67 1 1 .270 .369 .452 .286 121 68Got off to a slow start average-wise, although he still hit for power and took his walks, but came on strong after the All-Star break. He's worked himself into being a good defensive catcher, especially at handling pitchers, and is still one of the best-hitting catchers in the league.
MATT HOWARD 1968 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 VRO 454 108 16 2 5 43 26 10 .238 .304 .315 .226 103 43 1992 SAN 353 89 11 3 2 25 15 9 .252 .302 .317 .222 78 32 1992 ABQ 113 28 3 0 0 6 1 1 .248 .286 .274 .196 22 7 1993 SAN 125 32 3 1 0 14 3 3 .256 .331 .296 .224 28 11 1994 ABQ 256 61 6 3 1 11 13 6 .238 .270 .297 .204 52 19 1995 BOW 252 69 5 2 1 23 16 3 .274 .335 .321 .247 62 28Slick with the glove, quick with the feet, but slack with the stick.
JEFF HUSON 1965 SS-3B-2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TEX 270 62 8 3 2 38 10 3 .230 .325 .304 .230 62 27 1992 TEX 321 90 14 4 4 40 20 6 .280 .360 .386 .271 87 45 1993 OKL 75 19 3 0 1 11 2 2 .253 .349 .333 .242 18 8 1993 TEX 45 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 .156 .156 .200 **** -3 0 1994 OKL 302 90 14 1 1 28 17 4 .298 .358 .361 .266 80 39 1995 ROC 222 49 4 0 3 23 13 4 .221 .294 .279 .211 47 18 1995 BAL 160 41 3 1 1 13 7 5 .256 .312 .306 .222 35 14A favorite of Regan's, played a lot of third base when Manto and Gomez were hurt, and even when they weren't. Can do a reasonable job as a reserve infielder; he's been re-signed by the O's and will fight Billy Ripken for the job.
MIKE KNAPP 1965 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CHR 271 63 6 0 3 14 3 0 .232 .270 .288 .197 53 18 1992 IOW 138 32 2 0 3 9 2 2 .232 .279 .312 .206 28 10 1993 OMA 197 52 4 0 1 32 3 3 .264 .367 .299 .242 48 21 1994 OMA 150 33 2 1 4 13 2 2 .220 .282 .327 .212 32 12 1995 IND 39 9 1 0 1 3 1 0 .231 .286 .333 .223 9 4 1995 ROC 126 20 2 1 0 11 1 1 .159 .226 .190 .111 14 2Puts the "journey" in journeyman.
JEFF MANTO 1965 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CSP 146 39 7 0 5 26 1 0 .267 .378 .418 .282 41 23 1991 CLE 129 29 5 0 3 14 3 0 .225 .301 .333 .228 29 12 1992 RIC 455 128 17 1 11 50 1 2 .281 .352 .396 .264 120 59 1993 SWB 391 109 17 1 14 50 4 1 .279 .361 .435 .279 109 58 1994 NOR 118 31 5 0 3 25 1 0 .263 .392 .381 .278 33 18 1994 ROC 328 98 16 1 20 36 2 2 .299 .368 .537 .305 100 60 1995 BAL 252 66 8 1 15 20 0 4 .262 .316 .480 .267 67 35 1996 PRJ 363 97 14 2 19 46 0 2 .267 .350 .474 .282 102 57Veteran minor leaguer who couldn't get a major league job despite continuous minor league success, "Supermanto" made his mark by homering in four consecutive at-bats (over three games!) this past June. Pulled his hamstring and faltered after the all-star break; big and slow, he fit right in with the Orioles. Will play for Yomiuri in '96.
SCOTT MCCLAIN 1972 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KNE 84 14 1 0 0 12 0 0 .167 .271 .179 .138 12 2 1992 KNE 327 71 8 1 2 32 3 2 .217 .287 .266 .193 63 21 1993 FRD 437 95 12 1 5 55 7 3 .217 .305 .284 .210 92 35 1994 BOW 432 93 15 1 8 58 5 2 .215 .308 .310 .219 95 38 1995 BOW 261 69 8 1 10 18 2 1 .264 .312 .418 .255 67 32 1995 ROC 198 45 6 1 6 21 0 1 .227 .301 .359 .229 45 19Led the Orioles minor leaguers with 21 homers, which has earned him a prospect label for the moment.
RUSS MCGINNIS 1963 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 IOW 377 103 11 1 14 53 3 1 .273 .363 .419 .276 104 55 1992 OKL 329 82 10 1 15 71 1 4 .249 .382 .422 .279 92 52 1992 TEX 33 9 4 0 0 3 0 0 .273 .333 .394 .257 8 4 1993 OMA 271 75 13 2 12 39 1 0 .277 .368 .472 .291 79 45 1994 OMA 342 94 13 1 20 59 1 2 .275 .382 .494 .299 102 61 1995 ROC 55 9 1 0 2 16 0 0 .164 .352 .291 .230 13 6 1996 PRJ 360 94 15 2 14 49 0 0 .261 .350 .431 .273 98 52Released early in the season.
JOSE MILLARES 1968 2B-3B-OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KNE 431 96 15 1 5 8 2 2 .223 .237 .297 .181 78 23 1992 FRD 460 87 11 1 6 17 5 3 .189 .218 .257 .152 70 17 1993 FRD 302 63 6 0 5 18 3 2 .209 .253 .278 .181 55 17 1993 BOW 50 13 1 1 0 1 1 1 .260 .275 .320 .208 10 4 1994 BOW 232 46 7 1 2 9 3 1 .198 .228 .263 .163 38 10 1995 BOW 413 94 19 2 4 13 6 4 .228 .251 .312 .195 81 27Plays three positions, and doesn't hit in any of them.
SHERMAN OBANDO 1970 DH-OF-1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PRW 144 36 5 1 5 13 0 1 .250 .312 .403 .247 36 17 1992 ALB 387 104 12 1 16 26 2 1 .269 .315 .429 .259 100 49 1993 BOW 59 13 3 0 2 8 1 0 .220 .313 .373 .244 14 7 1993 BAL 91 25 1 0 3 4 0 0 .275 .305 .385 .243 22 10 1994 ROC 400 125 25 4 15 25 1 1 .312 .353 .507 .295 118 65 1995 ROC 321 87 17 3 8 26 1 1 .271 .326 .417 .260 83 40 1995 BAL 38 10 1 0 0 1 1 0 .263 .282 .289 .209 8 3 1996 PRJ 461 126 27 3 19 31 0 1 .273 .319 .469 .271 125 64The lost Oriole of 1995, Obando's defensive ineptitude cost him a major league job, and the Oriole front office has been silent about their plans for the big Panamanian. His monstrous season for Aguilas in the Dominican league should open some eyes: a .370 batting average, league-leading 7 HR, 31 RBI, and .609 slugging average.
BILLY OWENS 1971 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KNE 290 59 6 0 3 16 2 1 .203 .245 .255 .166 48 13 1993 AGA 469 115 9 1 8 31 2 2 .245 .292 .320 .215 101 38 1993 FRD 60 17 2 0 0 2 0 0 .283 .306 .317 .223 13 5 1994 FRD 330 67 8 1 7 34 1 1 .203 .277 .297 .198 65 23 1994 BOW 146 30 5 1 2 7 1 0 .205 .242 .295 .183 27 8 1995 BOW 456 115 14 1 14 32 2 0 .252 .301 .379 .240 109 48Went just 4-for-28 in a short stint at Rochester. Not a prospect.
RAFAEL PALMEIRO 1965 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TEX 636 217 46 4 27 67 5 3 .341 .404 .553 .326 207 128 1992 TEX 614 177 28 5 24 70 2 3 .288 .361 .467 .286 176 96 1993 TEX 597 185 34 3 38 69 26 3 .310 .381 .568 .323 193 123 1994 BAL 424 132 24 1 18 48 8 3 .311 .381 .500 .304 129 75 1995 BAL 545 172 28 2 34 55 4 1 .316 .378 .561 .317 173 106 1996 PRJ 605 186 27 3 42 70 8 3 .307 .379 .570 .319 193 122One of the best free agent buys of recent years, he's found Camden Yard very much to his liking. A fixture at first base for several years to come, except when Randy Johnson pitches: he's 1-for-20 off him.
BILLY RIPKEN 1965 SS-2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BAL 289 68 7 1 1 14 0 1 .235 .271 .277 .188 54 17 1992 BAL 332 81 12 1 5 17 3 3 .244 .281 .331 .214 71 27 1993 TEX 132 27 3 0 0 11 0 2 .205 .266 .227 .158 21 5 1994 TEX 81 26 3 0 0 2 3 0 .321 .337 .358 .259 21 9 1995 BUF 450 129 25 1 3 28 7 4 .287 .328 .367 .248 112 50The Orioles tried to get him in September, to be with his brother when The Record fell. Failing that, they signed him after the season as a free agent. He's still a superlative fielder (named the American Association's best SS defensively), and was actually pretty good with the bat last year. Long-time Oriole fans remember that he was also good with the bat in 1990 before falling back to his usual level of performance. Sentimental favorite to win the utility IF role this spring, but he'll have to fight Huson and Alexander for it.
CAL RIPKEN 1961 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BAL 656 226 47 5 35 52 8 1 .345 .393 .591 .332 218 137 1992 BAL 641 172 26 2 16 62 5 3 .268 .333 .390 .255 164 78 1993 BAL 635 166 22 3 23 60 2 4 .261 .325 .414 .257 163 79 1994 BAL 435 135 14 3 9 26 1 0 .310 .349 .418 .272 118 58 1995 BAL 545 146 27 2 15 45 0 1 .268 .324 .407 .256 139 66 1996 PRJ 642 165 30 3 22 62 0 0 .257 .322 .416 .258 166 81The Man Who Saved Baseball is, sadly, showing the wear of age, his streak, or both. His hitting is now only a little above average, even for a SS, and it is time for him to be moved out of the middle of the order. His 66 EPER this year moved him into the top 100 all-time, ninth among active players. If you pencil in another 75 EPER this year, which looks like a fairly safe bet, he'll advance another two dozen spots to about 67th. The significant spot to pass is the 36 EPER he needs to pass Luke Appling in 77th place, the only full-time SS left between Cal and Honus Wagner. Banks and Yount, who played a lot of 1B and CF, respectively, are still several seasons away.
ROD ROBERTSON 1968 OF-SS-3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 REA 418 90 10 1 8 20 12 4 .215 .251 .301 .195 81 28 1992 LON 243 51 5 0 7 12 10 4 .210 .247 .317 .200 49 18 1992 TOL 224 44 5 1 4 13 7 4 .196 .241 .281 .179 40 13 1993 TOL 410 91 8 1 9 25 15 6 .222 .267 .312 .206 85 31 1994 ORL 87 19 1 1 2 6 4 2 .218 .269 .322 .210 18 7 1994 IOW 261 63 14 1 10 10 6 7 .241 .269 .418 .234 61 27 1995 ROC 335 85 12 1 12 20 8 5 .254 .296 .403 .244 82 37Another fast, light-hitting utility player.
MARK SMITH 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 FRD 151 33 2 1 3 4 1 2 .219 .239 .305 .183 28 9 1992 HAG 474 122 24 3 5 37 11 4 .257 .311 .352 .237 113 49 1993 ROC 482 123 15 1 9 34 5 4 .255 .304 .346 .230 111 46 1994 ROC 436 101 16 1 14 29 4 2 .232 .280 .369 .227 99 41 1995 ROC 361 92 17 2 9 21 6 2 .255 .296 .388 .241 87 39 1995 BAL 103 24 3 0 3 11 4 0 .233 .307 .350 .240 25 11A disappointing former #1 pick, he simply never progressed as a hitter. Probably doomed to another year at Rochester.
B.J. SURHOFF 1965 OF-1B-C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIL 505 151 16 3 6 24 7 8 .299 .331 .378 .250 126 57 1992 MIL 488 137 17 2 5 46 17 8 .281 .343 .355 .252 123 57 1993 MIL 551 157 36 3 6 32 15 8 .285 .324 .394 .255 140 66 1994 MIL 131 33 8 2 4 15 0 1 .252 .329 .435 .262 34 17 1995 MIL 404 127 21 3 10 32 9 4 .314 .365 .455 .288 116 62 1996 PRJ 588 176 29 4 18 57 11 5 .299 .361 .454 .286 168 91Signed to a three-year contract in December, the question is: why? He's an average hitter, coming off a career year at age 30. After shoulder surgery a year ago, he can't throw well enough to play any position well, much less third base like the Orioles are planning. He could cause the Oriole 3Bdefense to get worse, quite a task considering that Gomez and Manto don't draw any raves with the leather. He's a tough, hard-nosed competitor, but just doesn't have the skills to play a key role on a contending team.
BRAD TYLER 1969 2B-OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KNE 207 47 6 1 3 31 3 2 .227 .328 .309 .227 47 20 1991 FRD 193 43 4 0 3 23 2 1 .223 .306 .290 .211 41 16 1992 FRD 194 43 7 1 2 34 6 2 .222 .338 .299 .232 45 20 1992 HAG 259 51 7 1 2 28 16 4 .197 .275 .255 .195 51 18 1993 BOW 447 102 18 10 9 70 17 8 .228 .333 .374 .251 112 55 1994 ROC 314 76 11 5 5 32 6 3 .242 .312 .357 .237 74 33 1995 ROC 361 85 10 2 13 63 9 4 .235 .349 .382 .259 94 48 1996 PRJ 418 100 17 6 14 73 13 5 .239 .352 .409 .269 112 61Although he doesn't hit for much of an average, he has done well in all the other aspects of hitting: good power, takes the walk, runs very well. Left-handed hitter, has a huge platoon split, but between Ripken and Alomar the Orioles aren't likely to need much middle infield help. Missed the last two months of the season with a torn quadricep muscle.
B.J. WASZGIS 1971 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KNE 353 65 7 1 7 37 2 1 .184 .262 .269 .180 63 20 1993 AGA 306 80 12 1 6 17 2 0 .261 .300 .366 .236 72 31 1993 FRD 110 23 1 0 2 7 1 1 .209 .256 .273 .179 20 6 1994 FRD 434 110 10 1 12 50 4 1 .253 .331 .364 .247 107 49 1995 BOW 443 103 10 1 9 56 2 3 .233 .319 .321 .226 100 41The Orioles were counting on his bat to get him to the majors, since he's nothing special behind the plate, but '95 was a step backwards.
JIM WAWRUCK 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 FRD 85 21 3 0 0 4 5 0 .247 .281 .282 .214 18 7 1992 FRD 361 98 11 2 5 36 7 5 .271 .338 .355 .247 89 41 1993 BOW 480 132 14 3 4 34 19 7 .275 .323 .342 .242 116 51 1994 ROC 438 122 13 4 7 26 14 2 .279 .319 .374 .251 110 50 1995 BOW 213 54 4 1 5 15 5 2 .254 .303 .352 .234 50 21 1995 ROC 148 40 8 2 1 11 5 3 .270 .321 .372 .246 36 17Could fill a fifth-OF spot for somebody. Does everything at an adequate level, but no one thing well enough to impress anybody.
TYRONE WOODS 1970 1B-3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 WPB 307 67 10 1 7 20 3 2 .218 .266 .326 .206 63 23 1992 ROK 382 95 9 1 9 21 8 4 .249 .288 .348 .225 86 35 1992 WPB 58 16 1 1 1 6 1 1 .276 .344 .379 .255 15 7 1993 HAR 321 76 10 1 12 28 3 1 .237 .298 .386 .240 77 35 1994 HAR 133 39 9 1 4 10 2 1 .293 .343 .466 .281 37 20 1994 OTT 298 66 6 0 5 22 2 1 .221 .275 .292 .197 59 20 1995 ROC 237 56 11 1 6 21 2 2 .236 .298 .367 .232 55 24Exploded out of the gate with Rochester, but eventually came back to earth.
GREGG ZAUN 1971 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KNE 420 95 11 2 4 31 2 2 .226 .279 .290 .198 83 29 1992 FRD 394 86 11 3 4 31 2 3 .218 .275 .292 .196 77 26 1993 BOW 261 73 5 0 3 22 3 4 .280 .336 .333 .238 62 27 1993 ROC 78 19 2 1 1 5 0 0 .244 .289 .333 .219 17 7 1994 ROC 389 85 12 2 5 48 3 2 .219 .304 .298 .213 83 32 1995 ROC 139 37 7 1 5 12 1 2 .266 .325 .439 .262 36 18 1995 BAL 103 28 2 0 3 14 1 1 .272 .359 .379 .261 27 13The nephew of former O Rick Dempsey, he's considered a top-notch defensive catcher and surprised everybody by showing a live bat in both Rochester and Baltimore. Favorite to hold on to the backup catcher this spring.
Organizational Pitching Report
OPR Points: 36 Rank in MLB: 5th Rank in AL East: 2nd
Name Lvl Age IP Work H/G K/BB K/G ERA Adj Ttl Grade Coppinger, R 5 4 9 -1 8 4 6 6 0 41 A+ Haynes, J 8 5 8 0 3 6 5 3 0 38 A+ Stephenson, G 6 1 9 0 4 6 4 2 0 32 B Maduro, C 4 5 8 0 3 4 6 3 -1 32 B Percibal, Billy 3 3 7 0 4 3 4 4 +3 31 B- Wegman, T 7 -2 4 0 4 5 3 2 0 23 D- Dyess, Todd 3 1 6 0 0 4 6 0 +3 23 D- Best Prospect in 1994: Jimmy Haynes (A) Best Rookie Starter in 1995: Rick Krivda (D+)
ARMANDO BENITEZ 1973 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB /9 K/9 1993 AGA 49.3 39 16 6 22 53 2.92 3 2 7.11 4.01 9.67 1993 FRD 12.7 9 3 0 5 20 2.13 1 0 6.39 3.55 14.21 1994 BOW 68.3 45 33 11 44 85 4.35 4 4 5.93 5.80 11.20 1994 BAL 10.0 8 2 0 4 15 1.80 1 0 7.20 3.60 13.50 1995 ROC 20.7 11 5 3 7 33 2.18 2 0 4.79 3.05 14.37 1995 BAL 46.7 43 31 8 36 64 5.98 2 3 8.29 6.94 12.34A young fireballer, able to hit triple digits on a fast radar gun: those K/9 numbers aren't misprints. Although fast, he leaves it up above the strike zone a lot, and that leads to a lot of fly balls and, too often, home runs. He needs to learn all the little things about pitching, especially control, fielding the position (which isn't terribly important, given his flyball-to-groundball ratio of nearly 2), and holding runners (which is important, given his walk rates).
TERRY CLARK 1961 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 TUC 154.7 183 80 9 32 90 4.66 7 10 10.65 1.86 5.24 1992 CSP 56.7 61 26 5 11 33 4.13 3 3 9.69 1.75 5.24 1993 WIC 27.7 31 12 3 9 24 3.90 2 1 10.08 2.93 7.81 1994 RIC 79.7 79 33 7 29 68 3.73 5 4 8.92 3.28 7.68 1995 ROC 10.0 5 3 3 2 9 2.70 1 0 4.50 1.80 8.10 1995 BAL 38.7 46 15 2 13 20 3.49 2 2 10.71 3.03 4.66Well-travelled reliever, liked by Regan. Pitched pretty well for the Orioles in short stints, and was especially effective with men on. Wasn't re-signed.
SCOTT CONNER 1972 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 AGA 100.3 151 100 21 83 57 8.97 2 9 13.54 7.45 5.11 1994 FRD 65.7 75 36 5 55 45 4.93 3 4 10.28 7.54 6.17 1995 BOW 76.3 62 44 11 80 69 5.19 3 5 7.31 9.43 8.14Worked as a setup man in Bowie, but he's got to establish some kind of control to advance further.
ROCKY COPPINGER 1974 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1995 FRD 64.7 53 19 5 27 72 2.64 5 2 7.38 3.76 10.02 1995 BOW 79.3 65 35 12 46 52 3.97 5 4 7.37 5.22 5.90 1995 ROC 33.0 25 9 2 19 18 2.45 3 1 6.82 5.18 4.91The Orioles Minor League Player of the Year. His fastball is good, but it's his curveball that really knocks observers' socks off. Shot through the Orioles' system with a 16-3 record, 1.95 ERA and over 8 Ks per nine innings, unadjusted. A possible sour note is that his strikeouts dropped and walks increased rather dramatically as he moved up. Incredibly, he's yet to allow more than 6.25 hits per game at any of his minor league stops.
JIM DEDRICK 1968 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KNE 77.0 108 49 8 41 46 5.73 3 6 12.62 4.79 5.38 1992 FRD 97.7 118 52 9 51 63 4.79 5 6 10.87 4.70 5.81 1993 BOW 100.3 97 42 7 34 65 3.77 6 5 8.70 3.05 5.83 1994 ROC 94.7 101 50 8 36 63 4.75 5 6 9.60 3.42 5.99 1995 BOW 56.0 68 30 8 25 40 4.82 2 4 10.93 4.02 6.43 1995 ROC 42.7 49 15 0 16 28 3.16 3 2 10.34 3.38 5.91 JOHN DESILVA 1968 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LON 70.3 56 27 9 22 67 3.45 5 3 7.17 2.82 8.57 1991 TOL 55.3 65 30 11 18 53 4.88 2 4 10.57 2.93 8.62 1992 LON 49.0 57 26 9 15 45 4.78 2 3 10.47 2.76 8.27 1992 TOL 18.0 27 16 6 8 19 8.00 0 2 13.50 4.00 9.50 1993 TOL 153.0 153 70 16 67 120 4.12 8 9 9.00 3.94 7.06 1994 SAN 42.7 51 30 6 20 37 6.33 1 4 10.76 4.22 7.80 1994 ABQ 62.7 80 46 8 28 36 6.61 2 5 11.49 4.02 5.17 1995 ROC 141.7 167 76 23 57 76 4.83 7 9 10.61 3.62 4.83The Dodgers tried to use him in relief in 1994, but it didn't work out. Hard thrower, susceptible to the long ball.
JOHN DETTMER 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 GAS 89.3 103 42 4 16 68 4.23 5 5 10.38 1.61 6.85 1993 PCH 148.7 172 69 18 37 113 4.18 8 9 10.41 2.24 6.84 1994 TUL 70.3 71 31 6 13 53 3.97 4 4 9.09 1.66 6.78 1994 OKL 44.3 57 26 7 11 25 5.28 2 3 11.57 2.23 5.08 1994 TEX 53.3 58 28 8 17 28 4.72 3 3 9.79 2.87 4.72 1995 ROC 78.3 103 50 12 18 42 5.74 3 6 11.83 2.07 4.83Acquired from Texas for Jack Voigt. Relies on a slider and control, but he's been ineffective since mid-1994.
SCOTT ERICKSON 1968 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 MIN 201.0 213 79 13 70 126 3.54 12 10 9.54 3.13 5.64 1992 MIN 208.3 217 84 20 81 122 3.63 13 10 9.37 3.50 5.27 1993 MIN 215.0 254 103 16 64 129 4.31 11 13 10.63 2.68 5.40 1994 MIN 141.3 162 65 11 51 110 4.14 8 8 10.32 3.25 7.00 1995 MIN 86.3 99 45 9 27 49 4.69 4 6 10.32 2.81 5.11 1995 BAL 106.7 128 46 5 30 69 3.88 6 6 10.80 2.53 5.82He showed at least a hint of pitching like his '91-'92 self in his stint with the Orioles, and was rewarded with a two-year contract. Sinkerballer, extreme groundball pitcher, the thinking is that he'll thrive with Ripken and Alomar behind him. Has a steady history of pitching better on grass, so they might be on to something.
DON FLORENCE 1967 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 NBR 78.0 94 65 15 43 62 7.50 2 7 10.85 4.96 7.15 1992 NBR 69.0 77 27 1 30 43 3.52 5 3 10.04 3.91 5.61 1993 PAW 55.7 61 24 6 21 41 3.88 3 3 9.86 3.40 6.63 1994 PAW 54.7 79 29 1 26 40 4.77 2 4 13.01 4.28 6.59 1995 NOR 33.3 34 9 0 12 23 2.43 3 1 9.18 3.24 6.21 1995 NYM 11.7 18 7 0 6 5 5.40 0 1 13.89 4.63 3.86 GENE HARRIS 1965 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CLG 32.7 36 14 3 11 22 3.86 2 2 9.92 3.03 6.06 1991 SEA 13.3 16 7 1 10 7 4.72 0 1 10.80 6.75 4.72 1992 LVG 32.0 35 15 4 16 35 4.22 2 2 9.84 4.50 9.84 1992 SDP 21.0 15 7 0 10 21 3.00 1 1 6.43 4.29 9.00 1993 SDP 58.3 57 24 4 38 41 3.70 3 3 8.79 5.86 6.33 1994 DET 11.3 13 8 1 3 11 6.35 0 1 10.32 2.38 8.74 1994 SDP 12.0 21 10 1 8 9 7.50 0 1 15.75 6.00 6.75 1995 PHI 19.0 20 9 2 8 9 4.26 1 1 9.47 3.79 4.26Traded by the Phillies for Andy Van Slyke, Harris went on to the disabled list with an elbow injury after just four innings and never came back. Released.
MIKE HARTLEY 1962 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LAD 56.7 58 29 8 39 48 4.61 3 3 9.21 6.19 7.62 1991 PHI 26.3 23 11 5 10 21 3.76 2 1 7.86 3.42 7.18 1992 SWB 10.7 10 7 3 8 9 5.91 0 1 8.44 6.75 7.59 1992 PHI 54.7 57 23 6 25 60 3.79 3 3 9.38 4.12 9.88 1993 MIN 79.7 82 29 4 33 64 3.28 5 4 9.26 3.73 7.23 1995 PAW 44.3 50 21 7 13 36 4.26 2 3 10.15 2.64 7.31 1995 ROC 11.0 4 1 1 2 11 .82 1 0 3.27 1.64 9.00Reliever, picked up in August after Boston let him go, been knocking around the fringe of the majors for six years. He's been effective, but can't stick.
JIMMY HAYNES 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KNE 129.7 158 81 9 49 87 5.62 5 9 10.97 3.40 6.04 1993 FRD 157.3 172 99 22 78 122 5.66 6 11 9.84 4.46 6.98 1994 BOW 162.0 179 76 24 50 142 4.22 9 9 9.94 2.78 7.89 1994 ROC 12.3 21 10 3 6 13 7.30 0 1 15.32 4.38 9.49 1995 ROC 158.0 172 76 21 56 129 4.33 8 10 9.80 3.19 7.35 1995 BAL 24.0 13 6 3 11 25 2.25 2 1 4.88 4.12 9.38The Orioles top pitching prospect, Haynes has been pencilled in the starting rotation. Very good fastball and curve. A reverse platoon pitcher, he's been much more effective against left-handers than against righties. Has problems with the long ball, which could be a major problem pitching in Baltimore.
MATT JARVIS 1972 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KNE 62.0 96 58 9 40 26 8.42 1 6 13.94 5.81 3.77 1993 AGA 161.7 213 100 18 95 75 5.57 6 12 11.86 5.29 4.18 1994 FRD 96.0 102 60 9 55 49 5.62 4 7 9.56 5.16 4.59 1995 BOW 108.0 176 75 12 41 50 6.25 3 9 14.67 3.42 4.17 GREG KNOWLES 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 SAV 39.3 47 23 3 17 20 5.26 1 3 10.75 3.89 4.58 1993 SPR 65.7 82 34 5 23 38 4.66 3 4 11.24 3.15 5.21 1994 STP 47.7 70 34 11 15 24 6.42 1 4 13.22 2.83 4.53 1995 BOW 68.7 95 44 9 25 31 5.77 3 5 12.45 3.28 4.06 RICK KRIVDA 1970 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KNE 109.3 131 66 17 45 77 5.43 4 8 10.78 3.70 6.34 1992 FRD 52.3 64 29 10 17 47 4.99 2 4 11.01 2.92 8.08 1993 BOW 116.3 133 54 12 55 91 4.18 6 7 10.29 4.26 7.04 1993 ROC 31.7 23 8 2 18 21 2.27 3 1 6.54 5.12 5.97 1994 ROC 155.0 154 69 14 77 110 4.01 8 9 8.94 4.47 6.39 1995 ROC 96.0 103 44 13 37 68 4.12 5 6 9.66 3.47 6.38 1995 BAL 74.0 88 39 7 21 60 4.74 3 5 10.70 2.55 7.30Krivda has performed as well as any Oriole pitcher over the last several years, but gets hardly any respect: he doesn't throw hard, and does his dirty work with off-speed pitches. Slated to work in long relief, and move into the rotation in the event of injury. Has a tendency to start strong and fade as the season goes on.
MARK LEE 1965 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 MIL 66.7 75 32 7 30 49 4.32 3 4 10.12 4.05 6.62 1992 DEN 65.0 80 40 6 26 57 5.54 2 5 11.08 3.60 7.89 1993 OKL 97.0 101 44 4 44 63 4.08 5 6 9.37 4.08 5.85 1994 IOW 58.3 74 25 2 22 41 3.86 3 3 11.42 3.39 6.33 1995 ROC 27.7 20 7 0 6 32 2.28 2 1 6.51 1.95 10.41 1995 BAL 32.7 36 18 5 16 31 4.96 2 2 9.92 4.41 8.54Another well-travelled veteran reliever, Lee was used as the lefty specialist, and averaged less than one inning per appearance. Did well against lefties, holding them to a .204 average, but right-handers slugged over .500 off him.
BEN MCDONALD 1968 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 BAL 124.3 129 59 16 41 97 4.27 7 7 9.34 2.97 7.02 1992 BAL 222.7 235 111 36 72 191 4.49 11 14 9.50 2.91 7.72 1993 BAL 217.0 201 85 16 81 197 3.53 14 10 8.34 3.36 8.17 1994 BAL 154.7 165 67 11 49 104 3.90 9 8 9.60 2.85 6.05 1995 BAL 79.0 78 39 8 35 71 4.44 4 5 8.89 3.99 8.09Injuries, rumored to be a partially torn rotator cuff, ruined his '95 season. He's never lived up to the expectations for him coming out of LSU; the thinking is that overwork in college took a little of the glitter off his golden arm. Signed a two-year deal with the Brewers.
ROGER MCDOWELL 1961 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PHI 58.7 68 28 3 33 31 4.30 3 4 10.43 5.06 4.76 1991 LAD 42.0 42 15 3 17 24 3.21 3 2 9.00 3.64 5.14 1992 LAD 83.7 99 39 6 43 55 4.20 4 5 10.65 4.63 5.92 1993 LAD 67.0 78 29 3 32 29 3.90 4 3 10.48 4.30 3.90 1994 LAD 41.0 48 20 3 22 29 4.39 2 3 10.54 4.83 6.37 1995 TEX 84.3 84 29 3 29 53 3.09 6 3 8.96 3.09 5.66Like Erickson, McDowell is an extreme groundball pitcher who has been playing with a terrible defense behind him for several years. The biggest reason he's now an Oriole, though, is Davey Johnson, for whom McDowell played as a Met in the '80s.
KEVIN MCGEHEE 1969 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SJO 155.3 180 87 4 87 124 5.04 7 10 10.43 5.04 7.18 1992 SHV 146.7 171 74 18 53 110 4.54 7 9 10.49 3.25 6.75 1993 PHX 20.7 25 12 1 8 14 5.23 1 1 10.89 3.48 6.10 1993 ROC 127.0 138 55 16 42 82 3.90 7 7 9.78 2.98 5.81 1993 BAL 16.3 19 10 4 7 8 5.51 1 1 10.47 3.86 4.41 1994 ROC 142.3 172 76 27 35 80 4.81 7 9 10.88 2.21 5.06 1995 ROC 119.7 157 84 25 38 77 6.32 4 9 11.81 2.86 5.79 KENT MERCKER 1968 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 ATL 72.7 64 24 6 37 68 2.97 5 3 7.93 4.58 8.42 1992 ATL 68.3 57 29 6 38 56 3.82 4 4 7.51 5.00 7.38 1993 ATL 65.0 59 26 2 40 64 3.60 4 3 8.17 5.54 8.86 1994 ATL 111.7 93 42 17 47 115 3.39 7 5 7.50 3.79 9.27 1995 ATL 142.0 148 67 16 62 101 4.25 8 8 9.38 3.93 6.40Acquired by the Orioles for two minor league pitchers, Mercker should be a quality fit for the Orioles, despite his tailing off last season. He's had an inordinate amount of trouble pitching in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, and should be happy to leave. Hard thrower, stuck for several years behind the Braves' great rotations. His durability has been questioned, so we should find out this year whether he can start for an entire season .
ALAN MILLS 1967 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 COH 105.7 125 69 6 75 75 5.88 4 8 10.65 6.39 6.39 1991 NYY 16.0 16 7 1 8 12 3.94 1 1 9.00 4.50 6.75 1992 BAL 101.7 87 33 6 54 73 2.92 7 4 7.70 4.78 6.46 1993 BAL 99.0 87 36 11 49 78 3.27 7 4 7.91 4.45 7.09 1994 BAL 44.7 47 23 6 22 48 4.63 2 3 9.47 4.43 9.67 1995 BAL 22.7 35 20 4 17 18 7.94 1 2 13.90 6.75 7.15Developed stiffness in his right shoulder, underwent arthroscopic surgery.
OSCAR MUNOZ 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KIN 86.7 80 36 5 38 80 3.74 5 5 8.31 3.95 8.31 1991 CAN 77.0 106 65 11 53 61 7.60 2 7 12.39 6.19 7.13 1992 ORL 62.7 76 42 14 36 60 6.03 2 5 10.91 5.17 8.62 1993 NAA 121.7 134 58 14 56 112 4.29 7 7 9.91 4.14 8.28 1993 POR 29.0 31 19 3 18 26 5.90 1 2 9.62 5.59 8.07 1994 NAA 20.7 19 5 0 6 18 2.18 2 0 8.27 2.61 7.84 1994 SLC 129.7 169 90 21 70 93 6.25 4 10 11.73 4.86 6.46 1995 SLC 107.0 121 59 13 37 75 4.96 5 7 10.18 3.11 6.31 1995 MIN 34.7 39 20 5 14 27 5.19 1 3 10.12 3.63 7.01Claimed from the Twins, of all teams, off waivers.
MIKE MUSSINA 1969 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 ROC 116.7 111 38 12 25 102 2.93 8 5 8.56 1.93 7.87 1991 BAL 86.3 80 27 7 19 59 2.81 7 3 8.34 1.98 6.15 1992 BAL 236.7 234 70 17 46 157 2.66 18 8 8.90 1.75 5.97 1993 BAL 165.0 176 77 19 40 135 4.20 9 9 9.60 2.18 7.36 1994 BAL 173.7 179 57 13 35 109 2.95 12 7 9.28 1.81 5.65 1995 BAL 219.0 216 85 21 40 179 3.49 14 10 8.88 1.64 7.36The Orioles player rep during the labor troubles, Mussina got off to a very slow start, and had given up 18 home runs by the All-Star break. He recovered to hold opponents to just a 1.93 ERA after August 1. With his variety of pitches, pinpoint control and intelligence, he figures to remain the ace of the staff and a Cy contender for some time.
JIMMY MYERS 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SHV 69.0 89 32 3 29 43 4.17 4 4 11.61 3.78 5.61 1992 SHV 29.0 45 19 1 13 12 5.90 1 2 13.97 4.03 3.72 1992 PHX 21.7 32 18 2 12 11 7.48 0 2 13.29 4.98 4.57 1993 SHV 44.3 59 22 1 23 18 4.47 2 3 11.98 4.67 3.65 1993 PHX 54.3 63 27 3 23 17 4.47 3 3 10.44 3.81 2.82 1994 CAR 11.0 7 4 0 9 6 3.27 1 0 5.73 7.36 4.91 1994 MEM 59.0 78 43 6 39 30 6.56 2 5 11.90 5.95 4.58 1995 ROC 59.7 78 29 2 33 29 4.37 3 4 11.77 4.98 4.37 RANDY MYERS 1963 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CIN 131.0 123 57 11 83 117 3.92 8 7 8.45 5.70 8.04 1992 SDP 79.7 84 35 10 36 73 3.95 5 4 9.49 4.07 8.25 1993 CHC 74.3 65 23 8 28 91 2.78 5 3 7.87 3.39 11.02 1994 CHC 40.0 40 16 4 16 33 3.60 2 2 9.00 3.60 7.43 1995 CHC 55.0 51 23 7 29 59 3.76 3 3 8.35 4.75 9.65Fulfills the Orioles' desire for a proven closer, as well as reuniting another ex-Met with Johnson. Went through a disastrous spell in July, where he gave up nine runs in eleven innings, but otherwise pitched to a fine 3.04 ERA. Doesn't throw quite as hard as he used to, but still hard enough to get people out.
JIM NEWLIN 1967 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 JAX 58.7 71 31 7 31 38 4.76 3 4 10.89 4.76 5.83 1992 JAX 20.0 26 11 1 12 11 4.95 1 1 11.70 5.40 4.95 1992 CLG 40.0 57 27 3 28 23 6.07 1 3 12.82 6.30 5.18 1993 HDS 26.0 33 15 5 7 18 5.19 1 2 11.42 2.42 6.23 1993 JAX 16.0 25 13 5 3 9 7.31 0 2 14.06 1.69 5.06 1993 KNX 24.0 42 25 3 14 15 9.38 0 3 15.75 5.25 5.62 1994 PME 41.7 38 15 4 20 40 3.24 3 2 8.21 4.32 8.64 1994 EDM 36.0 54 26 3 17 21 6.50 1 3 13.50 4.25 5.25 1995 BOW 59.3 79 36 9 22 43 5.46 2 5 11.98 3.34 6.52 MIKE OQUIST 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 HAG 152.3 204 99 30 58 116 5.85 5 12 12.05 3.43 6.85 1992 ROC 145.0 183 83 23 48 101 5.15 6 10 11.36 2.98 6.27 1993 ROC 141.7 160 65 18 47 114 4.13 8 8 10.16 2.99 7.24 1993 BAL 11.3 13 5 0 4 9 3.97 1 0 10.32 3.18 7.15 1994 ROC 48.0 57 21 5 15 32 3.94 3 2 10.69 2.81 6.00 1994 BAL 57.0 81 36 5 28 43 5.68 2 4 12.79 4.42 6.79 1995 ROC 11.0 18 7 0 7 10 5.73 0 1 14.73 5.73 8.18 1995 BAL 53.3 59 26 4 40 31 4.39 3 3 9.96 6.75 5.23Mike was quietly effective in middle relief duties last year, but won't last long walking more men than he strikes out.
JESSE OROSCO 1957 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CLE 45.3 49 16 3 14 40 3.18 3 2 9.73 2.78 7.94 1992 MIL 38.0 40 17 6 13 49 4.03 2 2 9.47 3.08 11.61 1993 MIL 55.7 49 22 3 16 77 3.56 3 3 7.92 2.59 12.45 1994 MIL 38.3 34 22 4 25 39 5.17 1 3 7.98 5.87 9.16 1995 BAL 49.0 33 18 4 25 66 3.31 3 2 6.06 4.59 12.12After apparently losing it in 1994, Orosco was used to great effect in very limited roles this year. averaging just over three batters per appearance. Held opposing hitters to an under-.200 batting average in virtually every split.
ARTHUR RHODES 1970 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 HAG 100.0 88 47 6 47 98 4.23 5 6 7.92 4.23 8.82 1991 BAL 35.0 48 29 4 22 26 7.46 1 3 12.34 5.66 6.69 1992 ROC 97.0 93 51 10 50 105 4.73 5 6 8.63 4.64 9.74 1992 BAL 92.3 96 38 7 38 93 3.70 5 5 9.36 3.70 9.06 1993 ROC 25.3 28 15 5 17 29 5.33 1 2 9.95 6.04 10.30 1993 BAL 84.0 99 57 16 47 56 6.11 3 6 10.61 5.04 6.00 1994 ROC 87.0 72 38 10 35 78 3.93 5 5 7.45 3.62 8.07 1994 BAL 51.7 56 30 7 28 52 5.23 2 4 9.75 4.88 9.06 1995 BAL 74.3 79 52 14 45 88 6.30 2 6 9.57 5.45 10.65Continued to show flashes of the brilliance that makes you want to keep giving him one more chance. Throws very hard, but has a tendency to aim too much when he gets behind in the count or works from the stretch, with disastrous results. Was tried in relief after being knocked from the rotation, but that really didn't work either. Eventually underwent arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder, and won't be ready in the spring.
KEVIN RYAN 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 FRD 130.3 215 101 16 76 75 6.97 3 11 14.85 5.25 5.18 1993 FRD 30.0 36 16 4 12 16 4.80 1 2 10.80 3.60 4.80 1993 BOW 81.7 119 70 13 36 33 7.71 2 7 13.11 3.97 3.64 1994 BOW 73.7 99 43 9 33 30 5.25 3 5 12.10 4.03 3.67 1995 BOW 59.0 77 32 8 14 26 4.88 3 4 11.75 2.14 3.97 1995 ROC 16.0 28 19 5 5 6 10.69 0 2 15.75 2.81 3.38 BRIAN SACKINSKY 1971 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 FRD 9.3 22 15 5 7 7 14.46 0 1 21.21 6.75 6.75 1993 AGA 46.0 59 34 5 17 26 6.65 1 4 11.54 3.33 5.09 1993 FRD 108.7 147 73 21 48 79 6.05 4 8 12.17 3.98 6.54 1994 BOW 165.3 191 82 29 41 117 4.46 8 10 10.40 2.23 6.37 1995 ROC 59.3 75 32 8 11 39 4.85 3 4 11.38 1.67 5.92If such a thing existed, would deserve the "crafty right-hander" label. He doesn't have a great pitch, but spots them well. Season was cut short by surgery to remove bone spurs from his elbow.
JOHN SHEA 1966 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SYR 159.7 208 94 20 71 72 5.30 7 11 11.72 4.00 4.06 1992 SYR 110.7 155 82 11 52 44 6.67 3 9 12.61 4.23 3.58 1993 NBR 53.7 53 29 4 24 52 4.86 2 4 8.89 4.02 8.72 1993 PAW 33.7 54 29 7 21 18 7.75 1 3 14.44 5.61 4.81 1994 ELP 48.7 57 20 0 27 39 3.70 3 2 10.54 4.99 7.21 1995 ROC 37.3 40 21 8 19 34 5.06 2 2 9.64 4.58 8.20 KEITH SHEPHERD 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SBN 31.3 27 10 1 22 25 2.87 2 1 7.76 6.32 7.18 1991 SAR 35.7 44 23 3 24 19 5.80 1 3 11.10 6.06 4.79 1992 BIR 67.0 63 27 3 24 54 3.63 4 3 8.46 3.22 7.25 1992 REA 22.0 19 8 3 4 8 3.27 1 1 7.77 1.64 3.27 1992 PHP 21.7 21 10 0 6 11 4.15 1 1 8.72 2.49 4.57 1993 CSP 62.0 76 43 4 45 48 6.24 2 5 11.03 6.53 6.97 1993 COL 19.0 23 12 4 5 7 5.68 1 1 10.89 2.37 3.32 1994 SAR 19.7 13 8 3 13 17 3.66 1 1 5.95 5.95 7.78 1994 CSP 27.7 33 23 5 22 19 7.48 1 2 10.73 7.16 6.18 1994 PAW 19.0 43 23 4 9 7 10.89 0 2 20.37 4.26 3.32Was dumped by both Florida and Boston after pitching less than six innings with a combined 23.82 ERA.
GARRETT STEPHENSON 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 AGA 156.3 175 85 18 46 94 4.89 7 10 10.07 2.65 5.41 1994 FRD 102.0 100 65 19 39 98 5.74 4 7 8.82 3.44 8.65 1994 BOW 33.3 54 23 3 12 26 6.21 1 3 14.58 3.24 7.02 1995 BOW 167.3 174 91 36 45 118 4.89 8 11 9.36 2.42 6.35Yet another pitching prospect, although not as polished as Haynes or Krivda. Pitched well in Arizona, under admonitions from coaches to use his fastball more and stop falling in love with his hittable curve.
J.J. THOBE 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 CGA 118.0 158 63 16 24 70 4.81 5 8 12.05 1.83 5.34 1993 KIN 20.3 32 13 1 11 8 5.75 1 1 14.16 4.87 3.54 1994 WPB 10.7 17 6 0 2 3 5.06 0 1 14.34 1.69 2.53 1994 HAR 112.3 157 89 19 26 47 7.13 3 9 12.58 2.08 3.77 1995 OTT 83.7 92 43 11 19 34 4.63 4 5 9.90 2.04 3.66 TOM WEGMANN 1969 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CMB 47.0 28 13 6 7 43 2.49 4 1 5.36 1.34 8.23 1991 SLU 56.7 63 31 3 15 55 4.92 2 4 10.01 2.38 8.74 1992 BIN 92.0 92 40 11 31 81 3.91 5 5 9.00 3.03 7.92 1992 TID 34.7 42 19 4 18 34 4.93 2 2 10.90 4.67 8.83 1993 NOR 82.3 73 33 10 38 88 3.61 5 4 7.98 4.15 9.62 1994 ROC 77.7 90 37 4 48 61 4.29 4 5 10.43 5.56 7.07 1995 BOW 61.7 63 36 13 22 41 5.25 3 4 9.19 3.21 5.98 1995 ROC 32.3 32 15 4 10 21 4.18 2 2 8.91 2.78 5.85Born in Dyersville, Iowa, site of the Field of Dreams.
DAVID WELLS 1963 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 TOR 194.7 221 94 25 48 125 4.35 10 12 10.22 2.22 5.78 1992 TOR 117.3 156 86 18 35 76 6.60 3 10 11.97 2.68 5.83 1993 DET 184.3 187 78 25 37 158 3.81 10 10 9.13 1.81 7.71 1994 DET 109.7 117 44 10 19 77 3.61 7 5 9.60 1.56 6.32 1995 DET 129.3 112 37 13 30 90 2.57 10 4 7.79 2.09 6.26 1995 CIN 71.7 79 32 6 16 50 4.02 4 4 9.92 2.01 6.28He doesn't look particularly impressive on the mound; none of his pitches are especially good. Has had problems staying healthy for two years in a row, and after pitching 200 innings last year that is not an encouraging signal.