Posted by Mike Caprio May 4, 2009

Last week we continued our feature, Top Prospects on the Farm, with a look at Giants’ catching prospect Buster Posey.

Today we go back to the mound and highlight a pitcher who,  with the help of the other top arms in the system, Brian Matusz, Brandon Erbe, and Jake Arrieta, could remake the the face of the Orioles as the 2010 battery with Uber Prospect Matt Wieters.

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Chris Tillman, SP (RHP), Baltimore Orioles (KLGM Pitching Prospect #7)

Andy MacPhail’s haul for Erik Bedard continues to pay dividends for the O’s.  In case you were “under a rock” for that transaction, the Mariners sent George Sherrill, Adam Jones, Chris Tillman and two lesser prospects to the Orioles in exchange for the oft-injured Erik Bedard.   In addition to gaining a full-time closer and starting centerfielder, they acquired one of the top pitching prospects in baseball in Tillman.   At 6′5”, Tillman, drafted out of high school in the 2nd round of the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft by the Mariners,  throws downhill with a fastball that sits 92-94 MPH.  His height creates additional problems for hitters as his fastball comes in like a bowling ball which he uses to balance off his wicked 12-6 curve ball that serves as his “out” pitch.

Last year at the Orioles AA-Affiliate Bowie, Tillman’s line was:

135.2 Innings, 11 Wins, 4 Losses, 0 Saves, 3.18 ERA, 1.33 WHIP (154K/65BB)

This season, after being elevated to AAA with “battery-mate” Matt Wieters, Tillman’s line looks like:

19.0 Innings, 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 0 Saves, 2.37 ERA, 1.10 WHIP (21K/9BB)

Tillman could be ready for the big leagues later this season if the Orioles begin their youth movement in 2009.  His main area of focus for improvement lies in his control.  In a Spring Training outing this spring, while his height worked to his advantage, his control seemed to abandon him at points.

Tillman is a must-own prospect in Keeper Leagues but will not likely impact traditional Roto/PPA leagues this season.

Tomorrow…Keeper League GM Hitting prospect #8 Jason Heyward.

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