Said Bowie outfielder Luis Montanez: "It doesn't seem like anything rattles him."
Tillman was named the Mariners' minor league Pitcher of the Year last season after going a combined 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 135 2/3 innings between Single-A Wisconsin and High Desert. Baseball America rated him the organization's No. 2 prospect. But he has found the next step up baseball's ladder to be even sturdier.
"I think this level is easier than where I was last year," he said. "The [California League] is definitely not pitcher-friendly. I think it was tougher. I'm just not always getting the breaks right now, but it'll come around."
Orioles president Andy MacPhail refers to Tillman as "a scout's delight," a 6-foot-5 right-hander who receives high grades for his plus curveball, a fastball that touches 94 mph and a clean delivery that he easily repeats. Baseball America executive editor Jim Callis calls Tillman "your classic young, projectable pitching prospect."
"He's looking pretty good so far," Bowie pitching coach Mike Griffin said. "He's starting to get his feet settled on the ground. He's getting more comfortable as the season progresses. And when that happens, everything starts to flow."
Tillman might have been the most impressive pitcher at spring training, but the Orioles reassigned him to minor league camp in Sarasota, Fla., after three weeks and vowed not to rush him. The majors will have to wait. But for how long depends on Tillman, even though the decision ultimately rests with others.
"I guess it'll happen when I get more consistent and have better command of all my pitches," he said. "I've got my fastball down. I just need to start commanding my curveball and my changeup for strikes early in the count."
Said Griffin: "Does he have a major league future? Yes, he does. Where he fits in, that will be Baltimore's choice. But he's not overmatched here by any stretch of the imagination. He fits in perfectly."
roch.kubatko@baltsun.com
