Wasdin expected to join Orioles minor league staff

The Orioles are leaning toward hiring John Wasdin as their minor league pitching coordinator, according to sources.

I'm making an assumption on the title, but Wasdin appears to be their choice.

Wasdin, 44, would replace Rick Peterson, who was hired in January 2012 as director of pitching development. He previously served as pitching coach of the Double-A Midland Rockhounds in the Athletics organization.

The Rockhounds have won three straight Texas League championships.

In 12 major league seasons, Wasdin compiled a 39-39 record and 5.28 ERA while pitching for seven teams. The Virginia native made 26 relief appearances with the Orioles in 2001, going 1-1 with a 4.17 ERA in 49 2/3 innings.

The Orioles signed Wasdin as a free agent on June 11, 2001 and traded him to the Phillies on Dec. 13 for pitcher Chris Brock.

The Athletics drafted Wasdin in the first round in 1993 out of Florida State University and brought him to the majors two years later. He also pitched for the Red Sox, Rockies, Blue Jays, Rangers and Pirates. His last appearance in the majors came on July 7, 2007.

Wasdin finished his professional career with Seibu Lions in the Japan Pacific League in 2009.

The Orioles connections are numerous, including Wasdin's time in Boston while Dan Duquette served as general manager and his time in Texas while Buck Showalter was manager.

Peterson's use of biomechanical research and psychological principals to help pitchers improve their motions has been met with criticism over the years. Not everyone in the organization and on the pitching staff bought into it. But he also had plenty of supporters.

The Orioles haven't announced their minor league staffs, including the new pitching coach at Double-A Bowie. The spot opened when Alan Mills was hired as Orioles bullpen coach.

As I wrote previously, the Orioles could choose to move up their coaches one level and make a hire at one of their lowest affiliates. Under this scenario, Single-A pitching coach Kennie Steenstra would replace Mills.

The Orioles still haven't hired an assistant hitting coach. I've heard that Lenny Harris and Howie Clark, Bowie's hitting coach, are two candidates.