These Kids Are Alright is FanHouse's look at minor league prospects who could have a fantasy impact in the near future.I had planned on writing about Chris Tillman, a pitcher in the Orioles' system, for the latest edition of Kids anyway, but now the piece has added significance. Reports have been rampant around the web that Tillman will be getting the call early next week. We knew that, but Tillman has now been scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday night in Triple-A. Considering no injury is being reported, it would appear the Orioles are ready to let the youngster get his first taste of of the bigs very soon.
Tillman is a 6-foot-5, 21-year-old right-hander who has had good success in the minors.
To this point, he's 8-5 in 2009, with an ERA of 2.42 and a 1.09 WHIP. He's struck out 95 batters in 93 innings while only walking 22. Tillman has been especially sharp in his last three outings. He's 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 20 strikeouts and only one walk in 20 1/3 innings of work.
Last season, his first in the Orioles system (we'll get to that), Tillman went 11-4 with a 3.18 ERA in Double-A. He struck out 154 batters in 135 2/3 innings. According to many Baltimore-area reports, scouts have become increasingly impressed with how much he's grown in the past two seasons, especially in terms of commanding all his pitches.
The combination of Tillman's progress and the continued dreadful work of Rich Hill (already mentioned in today's Roto Rush) is likely what prompted the move. Hill obviously has no place in a major league rotation and he's 29-years-old. At some point, you have to start looking to the future instead of watching a former prospect take his lumps -- further hammering home the fact that he's a bust. Giving Tillman the ball to see if he's ready is the right step for the Orioles, assuming that's what they are doing.
As far as what we can expect from a fantasy perspective, Tillman is more of a long-term prospect than short term. He'll have a rough go when having to deal with some of the AL East powerhouse offenses initially. Watch his early progress and he could be worth spot-starts in mixed leagues this year, but he mostly looks like an AL-Only league player right now.
Finally, I mentioned earlier the Orioles acquired him before last season. He came over with Adam Jones, George Sherrill and two others. Sound familiar? That's right, looks like the decision to trade Erik Bedard worked out juuuuuuuust fine for the Orioles.
Maybe the Blue Jays should take note?
