The Orioles are welcoming back their pitching prospect Steve Johnson who was returned to the organization by the San Francisco Giants. Johnson was selected this fall as part of the Rule 5 draft. In order for Johnson to remain with the Giants, he would have had spent the entire season with their major league club. He has been assigned to the Bowie Baysox and will finish up spring training in the minor league camp.
As bad as I feel for Johnson, I am happy to see him back in the Orioles fold. I’m sure working out with a big club was a phenomenal experience for him, but he is still very much wanted and needed in the Orioles organization. I do find it a bit odd that he is starting the year at Bowie, since he was there last year. That being said, he will have the opportunity to pitch alongside Zach Britton and Chorye Spoone. That will be one good starting rotation.
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In other news, the O’s sent 7 players back down to the minor league camp. The Orioles optioned Brandon Erbe and Troy Patton to Triple-A Norfolk and Luis Lebron and Chorye Spoone to Double-A Bowie, sending all four to minor league camp. Armando Gambino, Chris George and Michael Hinkley were also assigned to minor league camp.
This is no shock to anyone. Patton still has a little work to regain his form and Erbe is still young. I am glad to see that Erbe was promoted this season. He had some amazing performances at Bowie last season. As for Spoone, he can relate to Patton as he is trying to make his comeback following a torn labrum. He spent most of last season rehabbing before making it to Aberdeen in July and then Frederick in August.
The O's are building some deep depth as Weaver called it with their young arms. Hopefully a few of these guys will tun into Nolan Ryans and the O's will begin thier dynasty.
Will-O – What??? Cause they got Steve Johnson back??? Are you smoking the hippie lettuce?? Depth with Steve Johnson??? The guy was picked up in a trade, left via the Rule 5 draft, Apparently didn't show anything in the brief Spring Training, heck the Giants didn't even wait for Spring Training to end, before they told the O's to take his sorry "you know what" back… And you take this as the O's building deep depth??? Wow! And you ask why I dislike the O's, its because you orange koolaid drinking clowns can't see how bad you are getting hoodwinked by Angelos and company…
And your next Orioles Manager, Cal Ripken! As the Rip already threw Trembly under the bus last week when he said he wants to manage a MLB team. Not a minor league team or even begin as a coach! He wants to go straight to Manager and who better than Angelos to tell McFail to hire him when they fire Trembly in July…
Was there any doubt that Johnson would be back? No way San Fran was keeping him on the active roster all season.
And 2488 is dogging this move, but I remember an earlier post where he complained that the Orioles traded for him, then lost him.
2488 is going to criticize the Orioles no matter what. I've come to expect that and that's fine. I hope they're play on the field will prove him and lots of other Baltimore fans wrong. I believe in what they're doing.
Johnson coming back was just a matter of time. Glad it's official. Let's move on.
Raven 0I81, I am not saying that Johnson will be in the rotation any time soon, but a guy that has some skills, however undeveloped and an up side is not a bad guy to have in your arsenal for the future. Maybe Andrea will hold a spot for you in 2011 for the first annual BSR spring training trip???