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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brad Bergesen delivers a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

19 days ago: Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brad Bergesen delivers a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

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Not a Rookie: Brad Bergesen

Brad Bergesen was drafted by the Orioles in the fourth round in 2004, out of high school in Foothill, California. He showed a 90-95 MPH fastball in high school, but his secondary pitches and command needed a lot of work, and he needed to be bought away from the University of San Diego. The Orioles did so, then sent him to the Appy League for his pro debut. He pitched six relief innings, allowing five runs but fanning six with three walks. I put him in the 2005 book as a Grade C prospect, noting his arm strength but also his need for polish and experience.

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Hit and Run, July 2nd, 2009

by John Sickels on Jul 2, 2009 8:02 PM EDT Comment 6 comments

Hit and Run, July 2, 2009

**I'm going to start using the Hit-And-Runs to update player grades when appropriate.

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Prospect Retro: Brian Bannister

by John Sickels on Jul 1, 2009 8:00 AM EDT Comment 11 comments

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brian Bannister delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, May 7, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City won the game 3-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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about 1 month ago: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brian Bannister delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, May 7, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City won the game 3-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Prospect Retro: Brian Bannister

Brian Bannister was drafted by the New York Mets in the seventh round in 2003, out of Southern Cal. He was successful in college and well-known to scouts due to his family background, being the son of Floyd Bannister, the David Price of 1976. Floyd was a decent pitcher who never quite lived up to expectations. His son didn't have the same kind of arm strength, but Brian was considered extremely polished. He pitched well in the New York-Penn League after signing, posting a 2.15 ERA with a 42/18 K/BB in 46 innings and allowing just 27 hits. I gave him a Grade C+ in the 2004 book, noting his strong curveball and feel for pitching but also noting his mediocre fastball.

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Tuesday Discussion: You're the GM! Baltimore Orioles

by John Sickels on Jun 30, 2009 1:53 PM EDT Comment 43 comments

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) and right fielder Nick Markakis (21) leap in vain for a two-run home run hit by Boston Red Sox's J.D. Drew during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 29, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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4 days ago: Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) and right fielder Nick Markakis (21) leap in vain for a two-run home run hit by Boston Red Sox's J.D. Drew during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 29, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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You wake up this morning and discovered that you were no longer GM of the Indians, but are now GM of the Orioles. You have a team with some young talent, and your farm system is in pretty decent shape....but you are in a very tough division. How do you handle your current roster, and what do you do to challenge the rest of this highly-competitive division?

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Tuesday Radio

by John Sickels on Jun 30, 2009 10:20 AM EDT Comment 1 comment

Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb - Live 8 (via oatzy)

Join me at 11 am CDT with Rotowire's Jeff Erickson at BlogTalkRadio.

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Hit and Run, June 29, 2009

by John Sickels on Jun 29, 2009 11:50 AM EDT Comment 19 comments

Hit and Run, June 29, 2009

**When the Astros drafted Jordan Lyles in the supplemental first round in '08, a lot of people said "huh?" as he didn't get much pre-draft hype. Most scouts saw him as a projectable but raw high school arm with signability issues, expected to attend the University of South Carolina. But the Astros had a good read on his signability, and he impressed them greatly in a pre-draft workout. It certainly looks like an inspired pick right now, as Lyles has been excellent in the Sally League so far: 3.27 ERA, 103/18 K/BB in 83 innings, 75 hits allowed. He threw 86-89 MPH in high school, but has his heater well into the 90s now, has improved his curveball and changeup, and is showing considerable polish. All the standard caveats apply of course. . .can he stay healthy, etc., but right now Lyles is one of the top pitching prospects in A-ball, and a good bit of scouting by the Astros.

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Sunday Discussion: You're the GM! Cleveland Indians Edition

by John Sickels on Jun 28, 2009 11:40 AM EDT Comment 41 comments

Cleveland Indians' Victor Martinez hits a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aaron Harang in the fifth inning in a baseball game, Friday, June 26, 2009, in Cleveland. Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez watches. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

6 days ago: Cleveland Indians' Victor Martinez hits a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aaron Harang in the fifth inning in a baseball game, Friday, June 26, 2009, in Cleveland. Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez watches. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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You woke up this morning and found that you are now GM of the Cleveland Indians.

You have the worst record in the American League, though your run differential is not that horrid at -20. . .that's not good, but mathematicallly you don't deserve to have the worst record. What do you do to turn things around, in both the short run and the long run?

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