Rob Carlin is a sports anchor for WMAR in Baltimore and was nice enough to answer a few questions on the Baltimore Orioles.
Baseball-Rumors: One of the young pitchers that impressed me last season was Jeremy Guthrie, especially posting a 3.70 ERA in his first full year as a starter. What do you see in him that tells you, last year wasn't a fluke?
Rob Carlin: Actually, I’m not entirely sold that it wasn’t. Fluke may be a bit strong but I think it’s a little early to say he’ll be a mainstay in the rotation for years to come. Look at his numbers after the All-Star break. 3-3 with a 5.03 ERA. He wasn’t nearly as strong towards the end of his first full season as he was in the early summer. Having said that, he was dominant at times in May, June & July. He throws 4 pitches well, but nothing is unhittable. He did a missionary run, so he’s a little old at 28. But he was a 1st round pick in 2002. He’s a smart guy (Stanford grad) who seems to work hard so I think he’ll be a solid 2, if not an ace one day.. but we’ll have to wait and see!
Baseball-Rumors: There's been a lot of rumors surrounding 2nd baseman Brian Roberts. Is he that much of a favorite of Peter Angelos that there's just no deal that he'll agree to that involves Roberts?
Rob Carlin: If you’re asking me to get into the head of Peter Angelos, forget it. I can’t, nor would I want to. At the time I’m writing this, we’re all waiting to hear if Angelos is the only thing holding up the Bedard-to-the-Mariners trade. If Angelos does like Roberts that much, it’s for good reason. He’s a solid player, an All-Star last year, but an even better person. The Orioles are not very good at getting out in the community. But Roberts makes it a mission to do just that. He’s great with kids and fans of all ages. He’s been the face of the organization for a few years now and deservedly so. Would I trade him?? Yes, because they’ll win 68-72 games with him or without him so they better get something for him now before he leaves as a free agent.
Baseball-Rumors: With Ramon Hernandez coming back from injury, is he automatically the starter behind the plate in 2008 or will he have to compete with Guillermo Quiroz for that spot?
Rob Carlin: Barring injury, Ramon Hernandez will be the starter. Quiroz has not shown an ability to stay healthy. He’s only played in 100 games or more twice in his 8 years in the minors and hasn’t done it since 2003. When healthy, Hernandez is an above average major league catcher. I wouldn’t even say it’s his job to lose. It’s his job and Quiroz will be the backup.
Baseball-Rumors: I assume we can safely say that the Orioles are "rebuilding". How long until they start seeing the benefits of the young prospects they received from the Astros and other up and coming minor leaguers?
Rob Carlin: That is the multi-million dollar question. The answer, unfortunately for O’s fans, is……. Who knows?? Keep in mind, prospects are, by definition, prospects. Nothing is certain. Do things look bright? Absolutely. Billy Rowell was a first round pick who has played SS but might be better off at 3rd base one day. Matt Wieters was their first round pick last year. A catcher from Georgia Tech who’s supposed to be a “can’t miss”. He might get called up late this year and could be behind the plate in ’09. There’s a ton of young pitching being groomed. But O’s fans would’ve thought Matt Riley, Beau Hale, Mike Paradis and Richard Stahl would be the top of their rotation by now. Ed Rogers was supposed to be Cal Ripken’s heir apparent, playing next to Ryan Minor on the left side of the infield. Darnell McDonald was supposed to man centerfield, with Larry Bigbie in left and Keith Reed in right. Rick Elder was going to be the power hitting 1st baseman. O’s fans know them all. Baseball fans may have never heard of them. Not a single one has made a mark in the bigs, most never even made it for the proverbial cup of coffee. It’s an imperfect science. And Andy MacPhail will earn his money if he can turn this franchise around.
Baseball-Rumors: One of the young pitchers that impressed me last season was Jeremy Guthrie, especially posting a 3.70 ERA in his first full year as a starter. What do you see in him that tells you, last year wasn't a fluke?
Rob Carlin: Actually, I’m not entirely sold that it wasn’t. Fluke may be a bit strong but I think it’s a little early to say he’ll be a mainstay in the rotation for years to come. Look at his numbers after the All-Star break. 3-3 with a 5.03 ERA. He wasn’t nearly as strong towards the end of his first full season as he was in the early summer. Having said that, he was dominant at times in May, June & July. He throws 4 pitches well, but nothing is unhittable. He did a missionary run, so he’s a little old at 28. But he was a 1st round pick in 2002. He’s a smart guy (Stanford grad) who seems to work hard so I think he’ll be a solid 2, if not an ace one day.. but we’ll have to wait and see!
Baseball-Rumors: There's been a lot of rumors surrounding 2nd baseman Brian Roberts. Is he that much of a favorite of Peter Angelos that there's just no deal that he'll agree to that involves Roberts?
Rob Carlin: If you’re asking me to get into the head of Peter Angelos, forget it. I can’t, nor would I want to. At the time I’m writing this, we’re all waiting to hear if Angelos is the only thing holding up the Bedard-to-the-Mariners trade. If Angelos does like Roberts that much, it’s for good reason. He’s a solid player, an All-Star last year, but an even better person. The Orioles are not very good at getting out in the community. But Roberts makes it a mission to do just that. He’s great with kids and fans of all ages. He’s been the face of the organization for a few years now and deservedly so. Would I trade him?? Yes, because they’ll win 68-72 games with him or without him so they better get something for him now before he leaves as a free agent.
Baseball-Rumors: With Ramon Hernandez coming back from injury, is he automatically the starter behind the plate in 2008 or will he have to compete with Guillermo Quiroz for that spot?
Rob Carlin: Barring injury, Ramon Hernandez will be the starter. Quiroz has not shown an ability to stay healthy. He’s only played in 100 games or more twice in his 8 years in the minors and hasn’t done it since 2003. When healthy, Hernandez is an above average major league catcher. I wouldn’t even say it’s his job to lose. It’s his job and Quiroz will be the backup.
Baseball-Rumors: I assume we can safely say that the Orioles are "rebuilding". How long until they start seeing the benefits of the young prospects they received from the Astros and other up and coming minor leaguers?
Rob Carlin: That is the multi-million dollar question. The answer, unfortunately for O’s fans, is……. Who knows?? Keep in mind, prospects are, by definition, prospects. Nothing is certain. Do things look bright? Absolutely. Billy Rowell was a first round pick who has played SS but might be better off at 3rd base one day. Matt Wieters was their first round pick last year. A catcher from Georgia Tech who’s supposed to be a “can’t miss”. He might get called up late this year and could be behind the plate in ’09. There’s a ton of young pitching being groomed. But O’s fans would’ve thought Matt Riley, Beau Hale, Mike Paradis and Richard Stahl would be the top of their rotation by now. Ed Rogers was supposed to be Cal Ripken’s heir apparent, playing next to Ryan Minor on the left side of the infield. Darnell McDonald was supposed to man centerfield, with Larry Bigbie in left and Keith Reed in right. Rick Elder was going to be the power hitting 1st baseman. O’s fans know them all. Baseball fans may have never heard of them. Not a single one has made a mark in the bigs, most never even made it for the proverbial cup of coffee. It’s an imperfect science. And Andy MacPhail will earn his money if he can turn this franchise around.
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