54-year old Buck Showalter arrived on the scene in the second half of the 2010 season and the Orioles looked good under him. Showalter led the Orioles to a 34-23 (59.6%) last season which should give the team momentum heading into 2011. The Orioles also made some trades and signed some reinforcements to improve the lineup, defense and bullpen. Showalter has a career record as a major league manager of 917-856 (51.7%) during the regular season and he is 3-6 (33.3%) in the post season. Showalter is aiming to get the Orioles back on the right path and I think he will in 2011.

23-year old lefty starting pitcher Brian Matusz finished tied for 5th for the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award with Rays’ catcher John Jaso and 25-year old outfielder Brennan Boesch of the Tigers. Matusz started 32 games for the Orioles last season and he was 10-12 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has now pitched in 40 games (all starts) in his first two years with the Orioles and he is 15-14 with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Matusz has a bright future for the Orioles as he will be working near the front end of the starting rotation.

32-year old righty swinging 1B/2B/3B Ty Wigginton will be making his first appearance of his career in the All-Star Game. Wigginton has played in 75 games for the Orioles so far this season and he was 67 of 267 (.251 avg, .790 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 14 homers and 42 RBIs. Wigginton is kind of lucky that every team gets at least one player on the All-Star Team because the Orioles don’t really deserve to have one. Wigginton has been the best player on the O’s so he deserves to go.