Steve Johnson. He has a promising future and did well last year even in high pressure situations.
Chad-O - 11 years ago
I throw my vote to Steve Johnson because my 5 year old son has the same dream; to grow up to be an Orioles pitcher.
Kiri - 11 years ago
Gotta give a slight edge to Steve Johnson. He's not as flashy as some, but he's too good to be ignored!
BR Screwlack - 11 years ago
I definitely think it should be either Johnson or Britton...so the majority of your respondents have it right...but I'd give the edge to Johnson coming off late last season performance. We'll see how things develop this spring...everyone on this list should be an asset to the club this year regardless.
Mike - 11 years ago
Looking forward to seeing Steve Johnson pitch again. If this year is anything like last year the starting rotation will change drastically throughout the year.
Kim - 11 years ago
I think Steve Johnson should get the job. He was great when he pitched last year and seems like a hard working guy. Plus everyone loves the hometown boy story. Hope he gets it!
Cory - 11 years ago
Britton. Despite the late start last year, he put together a really nice stretch of starts from mid-August through the beginning of September to bolster the playoff chances. Despite some of the competition, these were high pressure games, and he performed well. Starting in the August 7 marathon game against Seattle, he got roughed up in the first two innings, but battled to complete 5 and never let the game get out of hand. He followed that up by going 7 shutout innings at Detroit, then 7 at home against Toronto, 8 (and one run) against a White Sox team trying to make a playoff push, and shutting out the Blue Jays for 7 more innings in early September. He took the win in all of those. The production dipped toward the end of the year, but that specific peak is as good as any Orioles pitcher was all year. And he's only 24. The best years are definitely ahead of him. Show the confidence in him now (and the willingness to ride out the rough patches) and hopefully cash in on that bet in the future.
Scott - 11 years ago
Most of the other pitchers have higher upside, but Johnson pitched so well for us. I doubt the rotation stays the same the entire year, but to start the year, I'm guessing Johnson. I also have a soft spot for Matusz, but he's been shaky ever since his first few months in the bigs.
Lindsey - 11 years ago
Steve Johnson Rocks!
Mike Vinson - 11 years ago
I'd give Britton the shot, just need all these pitchers to stay healthy! The way Matusz pitched in the bullpen why would you not put him back in the pen. Should be a good competition and I trust that Buck knows what's best.
Jimmy p - 11 years ago
Jair. If he can come close to his 2011 season, that would be huge. Still a good young arm the Os got at a bargain.
Chris - 11 years ago
I think Steve Johnson will be the 5th starter. His youth, orioles heritage, and the way he stepped up last year will carry over to this year.
Luis B - 11 years ago
I feel like Steve Johnson should be the Orioles fifth starter because of his youth, and I feel like he has the most room to grow. He has done everything the Orioles have asked if him, until he proves otherwise the O's should hand him the ball every fifth day.
Stouffer. - 11 years ago
Steve Johnson for two reasons: 1) he wears #52, and we all know how well that number has been this year, 2) he has had proven success.
Dave - 11 years ago
If Britton is healthy I think he's got the edge.
Devon - 11 years ago
Looking at this list, you have to go with either Britton or Johnson. Both these guys have found success starting already, but I'm going to give, by a margin, my vote to Britton simply because he had a great shortened 2011 and has all the tools needed to be the number 5 guy. Also, he went 5 for 8 in interleague play and who doesn't love having a secret weapon batting 9th whenever we see the Nationals and other NL teams?
brendon - 11 years ago
I voted Britton, I think he's shown what he can do at the ML level more consistently that the other options. If he can limit the number of hits/ip, i think hed be a great #3 starter for this team, I also like his ceiling. Matusz I would stick in the bullpen because he was so valuable down the stretch, and Steve Johnson I would use as the spot starter
Greg - 11 years ago
I think Arrieta is the sleeper. He will come back determined this year, and do a good job. Steve Johnson is my second choice, but I think his inexperience may hurt him just a little.
Adam - 11 years ago
Gotta go with the hometown guy. Steve Johnson!
Amanda - 11 years ago
Steve Johnson! Baltimore pride all the way!
Ryan - 11 years ago
TJ McFarland - rule 5 pick so if he pitches well they'll have to use him to keep him. Otherwise, I'm pulling for Steve Johnson
Stephen - 11 years ago
I voted Britton, because I think the potential is there, and with full health he can be lights out. I really like Steve Johnson too, but having Britton as a second lefty in the starting rotation (along with Chen) I think is too valuable of a tool. I really like the promising future of Steve Johnson, but in the first month of play, I don't think he's the number 5 starter because they'll want to use a lefty.
Gregg Rhodes - 11 years ago
Sleeper pick. Jurrjens!!
Pat - 11 years ago
I also like Britton's chances of getting the spot. His pitching style is good for OPACY. This is going to be a fun competition to watch this spring.
Eli - 11 years ago
Although i think Steve Johnson has a bright Baltimore future i think that a injury free Britton is the best option for the beginning of this year. I think its pretty safe to assume that sometime during the season that at least one starter will go down with injury or become too inconstant to stay a starter so than i think Johnson can supplement himself into the rotation.
The other guys i think proved themselves in the bullpen last year and all pitched better in the pen. If last year proved anything it is that a good pen will go a long way.
Steve Johnson. He has a promising future and did well last year even in high pressure situations.
I throw my vote to Steve Johnson because my 5 year old son has the same dream; to grow up to be an Orioles pitcher.
Gotta give a slight edge to Steve Johnson. He's not as flashy as some, but he's too good to be ignored!
I definitely think it should be either Johnson or Britton...so the majority of your respondents have it right...but I'd give the edge to Johnson coming off late last season performance. We'll see how things develop this spring...everyone on this list should be an asset to the club this year regardless.
Looking forward to seeing Steve Johnson pitch again. If this year is anything like last year the starting rotation will change drastically throughout the year.
I think Steve Johnson should get the job. He was great when he pitched last year and seems like a hard working guy. Plus everyone loves the hometown boy story. Hope he gets it!
Britton. Despite the late start last year, he put together a really nice stretch of starts from mid-August through the beginning of September to bolster the playoff chances. Despite some of the competition, these were high pressure games, and he performed well. Starting in the August 7 marathon game against Seattle, he got roughed up in the first two innings, but battled to complete 5 and never let the game get out of hand. He followed that up by going 7 shutout innings at Detroit, then 7 at home against Toronto, 8 (and one run) against a White Sox team trying to make a playoff push, and shutting out the Blue Jays for 7 more innings in early September. He took the win in all of those. The production dipped toward the end of the year, but that specific peak is as good as any Orioles pitcher was all year. And he's only 24. The best years are definitely ahead of him. Show the confidence in him now (and the willingness to ride out the rough patches) and hopefully cash in on that bet in the future.
Most of the other pitchers have higher upside, but Johnson pitched so well for us. I doubt the rotation stays the same the entire year, but to start the year, I'm guessing Johnson. I also have a soft spot for Matusz, but he's been shaky ever since his first few months in the bigs.
Steve Johnson Rocks!
I'd give Britton the shot, just need all these pitchers to stay healthy! The way Matusz pitched in the bullpen why would you not put him back in the pen. Should be a good competition and I trust that Buck knows what's best.
Jair. If he can come close to his 2011 season, that would be huge. Still a good young arm the Os got at a bargain.
I think Steve Johnson will be the 5th starter. His youth, orioles heritage, and the way he stepped up last year will carry over to this year.
I feel like Steve Johnson should be the Orioles fifth starter because of his youth, and I feel like he has the most room to grow. He has done everything the Orioles have asked if him, until he proves otherwise the O's should hand him the ball every fifth day.
Steve Johnson for two reasons: 1) he wears #52, and we all know how well that number has been this year, 2) he has had proven success.
If Britton is healthy I think he's got the edge.
Looking at this list, you have to go with either Britton or Johnson. Both these guys have found success starting already, but I'm going to give, by a margin, my vote to Britton simply because he had a great shortened 2011 and has all the tools needed to be the number 5 guy. Also, he went 5 for 8 in interleague play and who doesn't love having a secret weapon batting 9th whenever we see the Nationals and other NL teams?
I voted Britton, I think he's shown what he can do at the ML level more consistently that the other options. If he can limit the number of hits/ip, i think hed be a great #3 starter for this team, I also like his ceiling. Matusz I would stick in the bullpen because he was so valuable down the stretch, and Steve Johnson I would use as the spot starter
I think Arrieta is the sleeper. He will come back determined this year, and do a good job. Steve Johnson is my second choice, but I think his inexperience may hurt him just a little.
Gotta go with the hometown guy. Steve Johnson!
Steve Johnson! Baltimore pride all the way!
TJ McFarland - rule 5 pick so if he pitches well they'll have to use him to keep him. Otherwise, I'm pulling for Steve Johnson
I voted Britton, because I think the potential is there, and with full health he can be lights out. I really like Steve Johnson too, but having Britton as a second lefty in the starting rotation (along with Chen) I think is too valuable of a tool. I really like the promising future of Steve Johnson, but in the first month of play, I don't think he's the number 5 starter because they'll want to use a lefty.
Sleeper pick. Jurrjens!!
I also like Britton's chances of getting the spot. His pitching style is good for OPACY. This is going to be a fun competition to watch this spring.
Although i think Steve Johnson has a bright Baltimore future i think that a injury free Britton is the best option for the beginning of this year. I think its pretty safe to assume that sometime during the season that at least one starter will go down with injury or become too inconstant to stay a starter so than i think Johnson can supplement himself into the rotation.
The other guys i think proved themselves in the bullpen last year and all pitched better in the pen. If last year proved anything it is that a good pen will go a long way.