Editors Note: Today we are very pleased to have Guest Blogger, Scott Solomon lend his knowledge of one current, and one future Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher, in today’s edition of The Shallow & The Deep!
The Shallow
Brad Bergesen – Starting Pitcher (SP)
Quickly becoming the ace of an Orioles staff in transition (Only one starter from the opening day rotation remains), Brad Bergesen has developed into a valuable fantasy commodity over the last month – depending on your league format. A sinkerballer, Bergesen throws strikes - and lots of them - with only 19 walks in 83IP on the season. A 0.88 WHIP over the last month, only good enough for 5th in the Majors among starters over the period, would make any fantasy owner drool.
With wins in his last 4 of 7 starts and 3 of the last 5, don’t let the O’s overall record frighten you away! There’s plenty of offense in that lineup and with Bergesen’s ability to get deep into games (avg 7 2/3rds IP over his last 6 starts) Bradley can easily bridge the gap to the (always) competent Jim Johnson and (sometimes) competent George Sherrill to rake in the wins.
So what’s not to love?
K’s my friend. A 4.30 K/9 is not what we typically gravitate to. We certainly prefer the power pitcher who racks up the K’s, but at only 40% ownership among Yahoo leagues, Bergesen is available and very solid pickup for 5X5 leagues and you can do much worse than him in mixed leagues featuring the K/9 category.
The Deep
Jake Arrieta – Starting Pitcher (SP)
The Orioles minor league pitching is deep – really deep and really good and Jake may have the best pure stuff of them all. Without the urgency of trying to compete this year, the Orioles have chosen to take the safe route and bring along their 3 studs one step at a time.
After dominating AA, the Orioles finally brought Arrieta up to Norfolk to replace a AAA staff decimated by the loss of Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken, and Rich Hill - and he hasn’t disappointed. Arrieta pitched a gem in his first start, going 6 innings, giving up 2 hits 1 ER, no walks and 6 K’s.
Most likely a September call-up, as the Orioles have not discounted the idea of going to a 6 man rotation, Arrieta is certainly not someone the Sox and Yanks want to face in the midst of a playoff run, and he’s not someone that you want to fly below your radar in the midst of your playoffs!
