With Opening Day less than two weeks away, we’ll take a look at a member of the 2016 Orioles every day as they try to return to the playoffs for the third time in five years this season.
March 1 – Adam Jones
March 2 – Chris Tillman
March 3 – Jonathan Schoop
March 4 – Brad Brach
March 5 – Nolan Reimold
March 6 – Yovani Gallardo
March 7 – Matt Wieters
March 8 – T.J. McFarland
March 9 – Dariel Alvarez
March 10 – Brian Matusz
March 11 – J.J. Hardy
March 12 – Mychal Givens
March 13 – Ryan Flaherty
March 14 – Ubaldo Jimenez
March 15 – Mark Trumbo
March 16 – Darren O’Day
March 18 – Pedro Alvarez
March 19 – Oliver Drake
March 20 – Mike Wright
March 21 – Zach Britton
March 22 – Caleb Joseph
March 23 – Dylan Bundy
March 24 – Christian Walker
RP Chaz Roe
Age: 29
Contract status: Under club control through the 2020 season
2015 stats: 4-2, 4.14 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 8.3 K/IP, 3.7 BB/IP, 4 HR, 41 1/3 innings
Why to be impressed: The right-hander was sensational in his first 15 appearances with the Orioles last year, posting a 0.90 ERA and striking out 21 hitters in 20 innings of work. His slider can be a devastating out pitch when he has a feel for it like he did when he emerged as a valuable part of the bullpen in late May and June of last season.
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Why to be concerned: Roe posted a 7.17 ERA from June 30 until the end of last season and is now out of minor-league options, leaving his future in a crowded bullpen in doubt. He wasn’t able to find the same command or movement with his slider after he returned from an August stint on the disabled list due to shoulder tendinitis, making his stuff very hittable.
2016 outlook: Ideally, the Orioles would like to keep Roe to see if he can recapture his form from early last season, but he’s too far down in the hierarchy of bullpen arms to assume he’ll stick on the 25-man roster all season. It’s possible that Roe would clear waivers and eventually land back in Triple-A Norfolk, but right-handed middle relievers without options are always going to be vulnerable.
2016 not-so-scientific projections: 1-1, 3.91 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 7.8 K/IP, 3.8 BB/IP, 3 HR, 20 innings
