Stat Boy vs. Frederick from Frederick: Brad Bergesen to the bigs?
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The Orioles' pitching staff has had its share of problems this year. When it comes to the starting rotation, Jeremy Guthrie is the only pitcher that has been solid throughout the entire season.
With the Orioles out of the playoff race and having openings in the rotation, a number of Oriole Minor Leaguers may get a chance to gain Major League experience. One of those pitchers could be Brad Bergesen, who is in the midst of a record-breaking season at AA Bowie. Does Bergesen deserve a shot?
Stat Boy: I absolutely think that Brad Bergesen should be given the opportunity to pitch in the Major Leagues. He moved from Frederick to Bowie and didn't even go through a period of adjustment. He's proven all that he can at Bowie. A number of pitchers have successfully jumped from AA to the Majors, and with the holes currently in the O's rotation, why shouldn't Bergesen be given a month to gain some Major League experience?
Frederick from Frederick: I think Bergesen will eventually be a good pitcher in the O's rotation, but now is not that time. Why bring him up now and have the possibility of him not being effective, ruining his confidence? He is pitching very well at AA; he's receiving good instruction; and he's building his confidence. Look at some of the other pitchers that we've brought up too early...Adam Loewen, Garrett Olson, Radhames Liz...all showed potential in the Minors but were brought up before they were completely ready. Now, I am not saying that Olson and Liz will never make it at this level, but they clearly have other things to work on. So why send Bergesen through the same thing and ruin his confidence?
Stat Boy: Just because Olson and Liz struggled in the Majors doesn't mean Bergesen will. Besides, upon their returns to AAA, Olson at the beginning of this season, and Liz at the end of July, they continued the success they were having at that level. What do they have to lose by bringing Brad Bergesen up to see if he's ready to pitch at a Major League level? There are only two given members of the O's rotation next season. The worst case scenario if Bergesen does not succeed at the end of this season would be that he starts next season at AAA. I think they're in a position to be aggressive here. All prospects need to come up at some time to prove that they're ready. The O's have nothing to lose here.
Frederick from Frederick: The biggest reason I wouldn't want him coming up this year is so he can get into a comfort zone. He started out the season at Frederick, and then was moved to Bowie, and now you want to move him again to Baltimore?? I'm not saying the kid can't handle it, but let's remember just that, he is a kid. I still say you let him finish the season at Bowie, where he is comfortable, and see what he can bring to the table next season at Spring Training.
Stat Boy: But what does he have left to prove at Bowie? He's already set a Bowie team record for wins in a season. It wouldn't hurt his development to keep him there, but really, the other options for the Orioles' rotation are really not that appealing. Radhames Liz has had one or two good starts but is getting knocked around, and really I see no future in the rotation for Brian Burres. The Orioles don't know yet what they can get from Brad Bergesen, and with a need for three starting pitchers next season, now is the perfect time to see if Bergesen is ready to contribute at a Major League level.
Frederick from Frederick: Andy MacPhail is all about developing young arms, not rushing them to the Majors. Leaving Bergesen at Bowie will not hinder his development whatsoever, but bringing him to the bigs could. This guy has the stuff to be a Major League pitcher; let's not ruin his chances by bringing him up too early.
Brad Bergesen is 16-5 with a 2.90 era in the Minors this season. He gives up less than one hit per inning and walks just over one batter every outing. You've heard our arguments, now tell us what do you think using the comment box below.
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I think the thing the folks who are clamoring for Bergesen are missing is that he'll benefit more from pitching in the AA playoffs, and hopefully succeding, then he would for a non-contending veteran team in September. Maybe get him one start after the playoffs, but let him (and his teammates) enjoy success at Bowie first -- build the culture of winning baseball.
I like what he's done at the Minor League level, but he doesn't strike anybody out. It's tough to succeed in the bigs if you can't miss bats. I think we might need to temper our expectations with him.
Just because Liz and Olson struggled in the majors doesn't mean they were "rushed", maybe they just don't have the stuff to succeed at this level.
I agree that AA has nothing left to offer for Bergesen. And what is the point of the September call-ups if we don't use them to a.)get a look at some players for next year and b.)give players a taste of what the big leagues are all about. I just don't understand how people think there is magic point in time where someone is ready. He's 16-5 at AA, when will he be ready? If he was 21-0 would he be ready then??
He's as ready as he's going to be, time to see what he can do.
Why have the Orioles not promoted Bergesen and others with success at Bowie to Norfolk? Only Chris Waters went that route. He struggled somewhat, but was presumably better prepared for the majors. It would seem a more granual path to the majors would ease the transition for most players?
Last night Bergesen lost for the second time in the last three games. His stats were not good:
Pitchers POS NOTE IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Bergesen P (L, 15-5) 4.0 5 3 3 2 3 0 3.11
I went to Bowie several weeks ago to see Bergesen after he'd won 14 games. He was terrible. Behind in the count to most batters, several walks, all vs. a last-place team. He gave up 5 earned runs in 2 1/3 innings and was lifted. He's at least two years away, in my opinion.
Dave Hernandez, whose strikeout ratio is 1.5 per inning, vs. only 0.5 per inning for Bergesen, is a much better candidate for advancement.
I'd have to agree with Fredrick. Our pitching problems may be (thats MAY) a result of poor coaching. Why ruin another young arm? Give him time. Send him to Norfolk next year. Then if he continues to have that kind of success, at the end of the year give him 5 outings in the bigs.