Chris Tillman

2013

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2012

Tillman, one of the key pieces of the trade which sent Erik Bedard to Seattle, has yet to launch as an Oriole. He struggled again in 2011, limping to a 5.52 ERA in 13 starts. For another season, Tillman still couldn't strike out twice as many as he walked, and a .348 BABIP doomed him. At 23, there is still plenty of time for Tillman to find it, and the Orioles won't be in any rush to jettison him either. Give it another year as beneath the young pitcher struggling with his control is a talented arm that dominated throughout his time in the minors against much older competition.

2011

While Tillman's overall numbers were disappointing last season, he occasionally flashed the form that had scouts excited about him, including a start at Texas in which he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Besides Tillman's control problems, which have been a feature at each minor league step, Tillman's velocity dropped by nearly two mph on all three of his primary pitches. It probably would help matters if the O's didn't continually yank him up-and-down from Triple-A Norfolk like they did last season. We're not ready to cut bait on Tillman's potential, but we're also not willing to advise using anything more than a reserve pick on him.

2010

Tillman's highly anticipated debut came with some growing pains. Unlike his counterpart Brian Matusz, Tillman did not close the season well. However, Tillman threw a career-high in innings between Triple-A and Baltimore and any rookie pitcher is expected to struggle at times. The future looks bright as Tillman has the stuff of a front of the rotation starter, but the question is when the light will come on. He has proven himself in the minors and will be in the rotation out of spring training this season.

2009

While Adam Jones was the trendy name in the Erik Bedard deal, Tillman was the biggest prize. After an 11-4 season at Double-A, with a 3.18 ERA Tillman is the farthest along of the Orioles' top pitching prospects and is one of the better pitching prospects in baseball. Tillman turns 21 in April and will not be rushed to the big leagues. Expect him to get a full season in Triple-A, with a chance for a September call-up.

2008

Tillman was named the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season as he led all Mariners minor leaguers with 139 strikeouts in 135.2 innings between Low-A and High-A. Tillman earned a quick promotion after posting a 3.55 ERA and a 2.6:1 K:BB ratio at Low-A Wisconsin but initially had trouble acclimating to the hitter-friendly California League. He had a 9.29 ERA in his first seven starts through June, but slowly improved to the point that he posted a 1.82 ERA in six August starts. Tillman pitches in the mid-90s and has a plus curve but needs to improve his control (4.04 BB/9 last year). A second-round pick in 2006, Tillman is just 19 and needs more time to refine his mechanics and command.