Brandon Erbe on making the 40-man roster
Even though he has a splint on his right pinky finger that ended his time in the Arizona Fall League early, Wednesday was a good day for pitcher Brandon Erbe.
The Baltimorean and life-long O's fan from McDonogh High made the Orioles' 40-man roster for the first time.
"Just excitement," the 21-year-old Erbe said. "You're kind of one step closer and in the minors, that's your goal to continue to make progress. This is a step in the right direction. Being from Baltimore, now I can look on the website and see my name there, it hits home a little bit."
Now about that finger. He injured it during running drills with the Phoenix Desert Dogs about two weeks ago during Arizona Fall League play. It kept him out of the AFL's Rising Stars game and he won't pitch in Saturday's AFL championship game.
"It's just a sprain. It will be fine. I just need to treat it and keep it in a splint, the swelling has gone down. We got X-rays right away to make sure it wasn't broken.
"We were doing our running, our conditioning drills. One of them is like suicide sprints, you know, back and forth. When I planted and put my hand near the ground, my finger just went the wrong way."
In three AFL games, Erbe went 0-0, 2.00. In nine innings he allowed eight hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.
Originally, the plan was for Erbe to return to Baltimore to see a hand specialist, but the decision was made for him to stay with his team in Arizona.
"Those were the initial plans, but it wasn't going to get any better or worse, so we figured I could stay out here. Our team is doing well and this is not exactly a bad place to be."
Erbe will see an O's hand specialist Tuesday in Baltimore, but doesn't expect the doctor to find anything major.
"I don't think so, the swelling has gone down a lot. There's no pain, just some stiffness."
It's Erbe's second injury setback of the season. He missed two months of the Double-A Bowie Baysox season due to "shoulder fatigue."
But when he was out on the mound, he threw well. In 14 Bowie starts, the righty went 5-3, 2.34 and gave up just 44 hits in 73 innings with 35 walks and 62 strikeouts. Eastern League batters hit just .170 off him.
"I felt really good about it. If I take the injury setback out of the equation, I made more strides last offseason coming into this season than I've ever made. I've become a better pitcher with more knowledge of the game. I was able to put some things together and be consistent with it."
Erbe said some tough times early in his career have turned out to help him now.
"Being humbled my first couple years, especially in Frederick, I got humbled there. Plus, the O's coaches and staff put in a lot of work with me on my delivery and my mindset and approach.
"My shoulder feels great. It felt very strong at the end of the year and that continued here in Arizona. I was able to pitch with a clear mind, not thinking about it at all. That's the best feeling as a pitcher. My velocity was getting better out here, it's a good way to end the season, feeling good."
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Steve, great post as usual. Keep up the good work!
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Thanks, Dave.....Steve
Good stuff Steve, I'm glad Erbe is progressing as nicely and hope he can stay healthy. A rotation of Matusz, Tillman, Bergeson, Arrieta and Erbe over the next few years sounds very exciting!
Nearly everyday the first thing I look at on the net,Steve,are your articles about our young prospects. Although Erbe is only 21 he has been an up and comer for years. It is particularly encouraging to know that in spite of his setbacks Erbe is getting closer to the majors. He's a deserving youngster,with a better than average fastball,and,I gather,greater command to the minutia of pitching. The fact he is a native Baltimorean and he has already paid a considerable amount of dues coming up through the ranks makes Erbe all the more compelling. I wish him an injury free year,and I hope he will have the opportunity to spend the entire year in Norfolk,and then on to Baltimore as either a starter or possibly closer.
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Thanks for the comments. In the time we spent on the phone I heard Brandon's maturity come through and he sounded pretty motivated as well. - Steve