Everyday on BSR we take a look at a different Oriole’s numbers from last season and set goals for them this year. Today we take an in-depth look at the Orioles closer and surprise star George Sherrill. He was the O’s only All Star last year, and represented the team well. Everyone was feeling Sherrill fever and flipping their hats up after every one of George’s 31 saves last season.
2008 numbers
W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA 3 5 57 0 0 0 49 31 53.3 47 28 28 6 33 58 4.73
2009 projections
W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA 5 4 61 0 0 0 44 36 68.2 46 34 31 5 28 61 4.09
In 2008 Sherrill took lots of risks pitching right at hitters and often putting guys on before saving the game. That’s his mentality and I think that in 2009 his numbers will reflect those rewards. Much like Jim Johnson’s projections yesterday, ignore the win/loss column, for a closer these numbers reflect more on the starting pitcher than for the guy in the relief role.
I hope that Sherrill will get more save opportunities in 2009 because of a better rotation in Baltimore. Hopefully George’s ERA will drop a little when he throws strikes to the early batters he faces. George will attack you at the plate, but he seemed to take a little time to warm up. For him to have a good season he should go into it with the same mind set as last season, just a little more prepared.
Keep the hats flipped up and throw more strikes, that’s how Sherrill has a successful season in 2009.
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