Lefty starting pitcher Mike Flanagan was one of the better pitchers in Orioles’ history. His best year with them was 1979, when he won the American League Cy Young Award. He pitched in 39 games (38 starts) for the Orioles in 1979 and he was 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He liked finishing what he started as he threw 16 complete games, five of which were shutouts. Flanagan pitched 15 years for the Orioles (1975-1987 and 1991-92) in which he pitched in 450 games (328 starts) and he was 141-116 with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He only made 1 All-Star team and it was in 1978. Flanagan is #3 all-time in Orioles’ history in games pitched (450). He is also #3 in games started (328), #5 in wins (141), #3 in innings pitched (2,317 2/3), #4 in strikeouts (1,297), #10 in complete games (98) and he’s #10 in shutouts (17) in Orioles’ history. Mike Flanagan still works for the Orioles as a T.V. announcer, but he used to be one of the best starting pitchers in team history.

UPDATE: (8/25/2011) - Mike Flanagan was found dead on his property yesterday at the age of 59. This is a big loss for the Orioles’ organization. Prayers go out to Mike Flanagan’s family.

The hype surrounding 25-year old switch-hitting catcher Matt Wieters was huge and he did’t live up to it in 2010. Wieters played in 130 games for the Orioles last year and he was 111 of 446 (.249 avg, .695 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 11 homers and 55 RBIs. But, Wieters hit a lot better when Buck Showalter took over as the manager and he’s off to a good start to 2011. Wieters has played in 16 games for the Orioles so far this year and he is 14 of 52 (.269 avg, .864 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 11 RBIs. The Orioles hope that Wieters continues to play well and that he realizes his full potential in 2011.

27-year old righty reliever Jason Berken is looking sharp so far this year for the Orioles. He has pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Orioles so far this year and he is 0-0 with a 1.42 ERA and a 0.63 WHIP. He has only given up 3 hits and 1 walk in 6 1/3 innings so far this year with 9 whiffs. Berken stuggled as a rookie in 2009 as a starter so the Orioles moved him to the pen in 2010 and he adjusted well. Berken pitched in 41 games (0 starts) for the Orioles last year and he was 3-3 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Berken looks like he’s going to have a bright future working out of the Orioles’ bullpen.

Young righties Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman are having issues right now for the Orioles. Arrieta has started 3 games for the Orioles so far this year and he is 1-1 with a 7.04 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He actually has pitched good in two of his three starts so far this year. Chris Tillman has also started 3 games for the Orioles so far this year and he is 0-1 with a 7.30 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. Tillman hasn’t been anywhere as good as Arrieta, but he did look good in his first start of the year. The Orioles need to stick by these guys for a while this season to see what they have in them. Both of these guys have electric stuff.

Backup IF/OF Robert Andino is off to a very slow start with the bat. He has played in 3 games for the Orioles so far this year and he is 0 for 10 (.000 avg, .091 OPS) with 1 run scored. Andino is in line to get some more P.T. with J.J. Hardy out, but it won’t happen if he continues to flail and miss with his bat at the plate. I have really never liked Andino much and in due time I don’t think the Orioles will either. He thinks he’s a home run hitter…..and he’s not.