… John Maine ?
Based on the conversation I heard around here, he seemed to be a likely September call-up for the Orioles.
Has he already fallen off their radar screen?
He was called up a little while ago, made one start and got rocked(actually wasn’t TOO bad, 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings) and was sent back down to AAA(I assume, he’s not on their big league roster at the moment). Hopefully he will get to make another start later this month because the O’s have no shot at anything this year. The rosters have expanded and that is what most out of contention teams do, so I would expect he would at least get one more start something this year…
Also I think clubs want to be a bit more conservative these days with their young guns after what happened to Rick Ankiel. No one wants to give a promising young prospect a head case.
Maybe they are being conservative, but I’m surprised they wouldn’t give him at least carry him on the 40 man roster and let him eat some innings in a blowout. Especially if they think he has a chance to make the starting rotation in April, 05.
Recent Quotes from Orioles team site
08/30 - The club has to decide whether to shut pitcher John Maine down or give him a promotion. Maine, one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, is 4-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 20 starts for the Lynx. He has not pitched well since making his Major League debut in June.
09/05 - With Triple-A Ottawa’s season ending on Monday, the Orioles could receive some welcome support for the pitching staff this week. Left-hander Matt Riley and right-hander Rick Bauer could get the call to add to a staff that has been impressive of late.
09/06 - John Maine allowed two runs over six innings in his final Triple-A start of the season as Ottawa dropped a 4-3 decision to Syracuse. Maine, one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, walked two, struck out three and received a no-decision. Maine finished 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA, 105 strikeouts and 52 walks in 119 2/3 innings. He will enter Spring Training with a chance to crack the O’s rotation.