FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Scouts love to talk about what Orioles prospect Brad Bergesen can't do. He doesn't throw that hard. He doesn't strike anyone out. His stuff isn't good enough to neutralize tough left-handed hitters.
But it's what he can do - mainly throw strikes and lots of them - that has the Orioles considering the young right-hander for one of three available spots in the rotation. Bergesen, the Orioles' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year, didn't hurt his cause yesterday, throwing three scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox at Fort Lauderdale Stadium in his Grapefruit League debut.
It was a typical performance for Bergesen, who gave up four hits but didn't walk anyone, struck out three and threw 29 of his 46 pitches for strikes against a Red Sox team that had only two of its expected regulars in the lineup.
"I'm happy with it," said Bergesen, who previously threw two scoreless innings against the Italian World Baseball Classic team. "It's nice to get back out there and get it going again. The first week, it felt like I was going about 100 miles per second, but finally I feel like I'm getting acclimated with my new surroundings."
Bergesen, 23, is at major league spring training for the first time, completing a quick rise that started picking up speed at this time last year. A fourth-round draft pick in 2004, Bergesen struggled early in his professional career with injuries and illness. His 2006 season was ended by mononucleosis. His 2007 campaign was interrupted when he got hit on the head with a ball during batting practice.
Finally healthy last year, Bergesen made four appearances for Single-A Frederick before being promoted to Double-A Bowie, where he went 15-6 with a 3.22 ERA, nearly earning a major league call-up late last year. He was expected to begin the 2009 season at Triple-A Norfolk, but injuries to several rotation candidates and Bergesen's performances in the two exhibition games and in bullpen sessions have at least put the right-hander into the conversation for a spot.
"Bergesen is polished," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "That's probably the report that I've got from everybody who has had him. He's a strike thrower. He's got movement. He's probably more of a total package guy now because he's maybe a little bit ahead, maturity-wise. He holds runners and fields his position."
Minor league director David Stockstill said last week that Bergesen is the "most ready" to be in the rotation among the organization's pitching prospects.
