Hayden Penn

Penn has not lived up to the billing in Baltimore. He has had elbow and shoulder problems in the last two years and he was very mediocre at Triple-A in 2008. He could figure into the rotation competition this spring, but it no longer looks likely that Penn will be effective in the major leagues.

Penn missed most of the 2007 season thanks to a bone spur in his pitching elbow, sidelining him after one Triple-A start. He didn't have surgery to remove the spur until almost month later in early May, finally getting back into action in late August. Penn's previous major league stints have been rocky, but he was both young and inexperienced when he made his major league debut. Don't give up on him yet as a prospect.

Penn, mentioned in just about every trade rumor involving the Orioles last season, was untouchable last season... until his September call-up during which he allowed an astounding 33 earned runs in 19.2 innings over six starts. Now Penn is one of the Orioles’ main trade chips, and his 2.26 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 85:27 K:BB ratio in 14 starts for Triple-A Ottawa last season at age 21 still makes some opposing GMs drool despite his lack of success in the majors. If he’s not dealt, Penn seems to be edged out of the Orioles’ current rotation due to the acquisition of Jaret Wright. He could end up as the major league long reliever, or back in Triple-A if Baltimore hopes that more minor league success will help build his confidence after last season’s debacle. Don’t write him off completely, but it will be interesting to see how the young Californian can deal with his end-of-season major league failure.

Despite a less-than-successful stint in the majors (6.34 ERA and 18/21 K/BB ratio in 38.1 innings), the Orioles refused to deal Penn in the offseason as the 20-year-old was highly successful in Double-A with a 3.83 ERA while striking out 120 in 110 1/3 innings. Unless the Orioles acquire some pitching in the second half of the offseason, Penn will get a shot to make the rotation out of spring training, though it's more likely that he will start the season in Triple-A to gain some confidence before making the leap to the bigs. Regardless of the route, expect Penn to be instilled in the rotation by the end of 2006.

Penn was Baltimore's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2004 at only 19 and should begin the 2005 season at Double-A Bowie. The Orioles learned a lesson by rushing then 20-year-old Matt Riley to the big leagues in 1999, and are willing to give Penn time to develop. With the team looking outside the organization for pitching help in the near future, Penn shouldn’t reach the majors for good for at least a couple seasons.