Shorebird of the Week – April 10, 2014

You may do a double-take at the photos, because this week’s SotW is a holdover from last season. The top photo came from the final home game of 2013, while the bottom one came from last week’s exhibition game against Salisbury University. In any case, David Richardson is trying to jump-start his Orioles career with a big year and his first full-season experience.

David has been in the organization quite awhile compared to many of his teammates – a 17th round selection from 2010 out of Hillsborough Junior College in Florida, he went to the same high school as major league standouts Dwight Gooden and Gary Sheffield. Perhaps his slow climb up the ladder is in part because he was originally drafted as an outfielder. But the 23-year-old got his first taste of the South Atlantic League at the end of last season, and while the overall numbers looked subpar – an 0-1 record with an 8.76 ERA in 10 appearances, with a 12/8 K/BB ratio in 12 1/3 innings and 2.19 WHIP – much of the damage was done in two appearances against Lakewood where he gave up 11 runs in 1 1/3 innings and was pinned with his losing decision. Against the rest of the SAL he had a fine 0.82 ERA.

Because Lakewood hasn’t appeared on the schedule yet, David is holding his own thus far in 2014. In three appearances Richardson has pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run (a home run), striking out two and walking none. It translates to a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP on the young season.

Richardson had some experience as a starter for two seasons in Aberdeen, but seems to do much better in relief. He’s been used thus far in low-leverage situations, closing out losing efforts in two of his three outings, but continued success could see him be placed in a setup role. It will be interesting to see how David can handle the grind of a full season as well.

3 thoughts on “Shorebird of the Week – April 10, 2014”

  1. really enjoy the shorebird of the week column. alas, david didn’t do well last night (friday, april 11) giving up a run in the 8th and 4 runs in the 11th inn and getting the loss.

  2. No, David gave up just the one run in two innings, which isn’t great but not horrible – overall numbers are still good. Dennis Torres (another holdover from 2013 and a former SotW) gave up the fourspot in the tenth.

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