One vote for Matusz

So the Orioles are considering Brian Matusz to make Tuesday's start in Detroit in the place of the injured Brad Bergesen. I don't have a vote, but in this blog I do. I sign off big time on that move. And, it's not just because I've seen him pitch three or four times in person this year and his stuff has looked great. It's because his maturity and poise appear off the charts as well. Matusz can handle it. Plus, his pitches sure look Major League quality. In seven starts at Bowie, he is 7-0, 1.59. In 18 starts this year counting his time with Frederick, he is 11-2, 1.93 and has walked just 31 and fanned 120 in 112 innings. He was recently ranked by Baseball America as the 9th best prospect in all of baseball. If he makes the start he would be rushed in the sense that he has made just seven Double-A starts. But I don't think he would be rushed in terms of his readiness or ability right now to get big league hitters out. Matusz has spent most of this year learning to pitch off his fastball and improve his fastball command. He has accomplished that goal. It was said that in college he threw a lot of off-speed pitches to offset the aluminum bats. At the pro level, he needs the fastball first to set up his other top-quality pitches. His curve, slider and change are first-rate pitches. His fastball velocity, while only 90-91, is plenty good enough when you look at his whole arsenal. The O's have a big and important decision to make. Matusz made his Double-A debut on June 17TH. That night he talked about how well he had been pitching and how excited he was to get the promotion to Bowie. Clubhouse Audio: Brian Matusz talks about playing at Double-A Bowie