Shorebird of the week 6-15-2006

Brad Bergesen of the Shorebirds pitching in a replica Negro League Baltimore Elite Giants uniform.

The honors for SotW this week go to a gentleman lucky enough to be pitching on a night the Shorebirds wore a special tribute uniform to the Negro League’s Baltimore Elite Giants. But Brad Bergesen has done more than be a good uniform model. Despite a recent bout of illness, Bergesen has pitched relatively well when healthy.

One thing the 2004 4th round pick (another high pick toiling for Delmarva this season) doesn’t do is walk a lot of batters. Last season in Aberdeen Bergesen walked just 14 in 71 innings, this year only 4 free passes have been granted in 35 1/3 innings. So count on Brad to be around the plate. It’s unusual for a young pitcher just a couple years removed from high school to have such good control. However, he is susceptible to giving up a lot of contact, thus his total number of hits given up will likely exceed 1 per inning. So far this season that has held true (44 hits allowed.)

With Bergesen’s 21st birthday not on the horizon until after the season in September, the California native is another of the Orioles’ promising crop of very young pitchers. The late collapse of the Shorebirds, who were eliminated from a possible first-half title with a loss tonight, cannot be laid at the feet of the pitching staff. With several changes to the team’s makeup likely to happen over the SAL’s All-Star break next week, look for Bergesen to regain a spot in the rotation before the end of the season as he recovers from his unusual trip to the disabled list.

Author: Michael

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