Baltimore added a collection of youth, veterans, and players returning from injury to their roster this September. RHP Steve Bechler, OF-L Larry Bigbie, C-S Raul Casanova, LHP Eric DuBose, RHP Pat Hentgen, 3B-R Jose Leon, OF-R Luis Matos, OF-S Gary Matthews, Jr., RHP Sidney Ponson, and SS-R Ed Rogers have all joined the team this month.

Yorkis Perez will miss the remainder of the season after an appendectomy. The Orioles don't want David Segui to risk re-injuring his wrist by returning this season, so he's also out for the year.

Baltimore drafted Bechler out of high school in the third round of the 1998 draft. Bechler began this season back at AA Bowie in the Eastern League, where he spent half of 2001. However after four starts in which he compiled a 13:6 K:BB with 28 H and 2 HR allowed in 23.2 IP for a 3.42 ERA, Baltimore promoted him to AAA Rochester in the International League. He struggled at Rochester, only managing a 77:52 K:BB in 149.2 IP with 154 H and 15 HR allowed for a 4.09 ERA. Bechler either needs additional time to master the level or a move to relief. Baltimore should give him at least another half season as a starter before making a move as his past minor league history shows a period of adjustment before he grows comfortable with a new level. He was working a few innings out of the pen this month, but he'll likely sit out the rest of the season after straining his hamstring in an appearance last night.

Bigbie lost his roster spot in the first week of the season when the Orioles acquired Gary Matthews, Jr. However, despite over a hundred at-bats in the majors last season, he had less than fifty in AAA, so the additional minor league experience was probably not a bad idea. He was hot for the first month of the season and then began experiencing injury problems, which prevented him from earning a mid-season promotion. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old hit .302 with a .363 OBP and .397 SLG on 105 H, 23 2B, 2 3B, and 2 HR with a 35:79 BB:K and 7/10 SB% in his 348 AAA AB. He's fighting for playing time in the Orioles' outfield this September and might make one more start before the end of the season, along with a couple pinch-hit at-bats. Baltimore's outfield could remain quite crowded again next season even if they move a few players, so Bigbie will have a tough fight in Spring Training to grab a starting job and will likely wind up a reserve outfielder at best in 2003.

The Brewers released Casanova at the end of August, presumably because they wanted the roster spot, as the organization had no intention of retaining him next season with Paul Bako, Jorge Fabregas, and Robert Machado. However, he makes a good back-up and an acceptable starter. Casanova could easily push Brook Fordyce to another team next season, though the team is using Casanova as their third catcher this September.

Oakland drafted Eric DuBose out of Mississippi State University with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 1997 draft. At the end of 2000, Cleveland grabbed him off waivers from the A's and then Detroit snatched him from the Indians. DuBose didn't pitch last year and signed with the Orioles as a minor league free agent in the off-season. He started for most of his minor league career, though he suffered from control problems even when relieving. The 26-year-old spent most of this season with AA Bowie aside from a brief stint in AAA and this major league promotion. At AA, he compiled a 66:21 K:BB with 46 H and 2 HR allowed in 64.2 IP for a 2.51 ERA over 41 relief appearances. He should start next season in AAA and could join the Orioles as a lefty reliever by mid-season 2003. This September he'll make a few appearances out of the bullpen.

Hentgen wasn't expected back much before September after undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. The 33-year-old made one relief appearance at A, A+, and AA before returning to the majors and has made three starts so far this month. He wasn't a great pitcher before the injury, so his current troubles are likely just rustiness as he regains his rhythm. I expect Hentgen will be back to his old form by Opening Day 2003. He'll probably make two more starts before the end of the season, which should be his last with the Orioles since they shouldn't pick up his $6M dollar option for 2003.

We discussed Leon earlier this season when he replaced the injured Jeff Conine on the roster. Unless the Orioles have a clear opening for him in the majors next season, I expect him back at AAA for at least a portion of 2003. He offers moderate power but could use the opportunity to work on his plate discipline. Leon's played fairly regularly this month with around two starts a week and a couple pinch-hit appearances, so he could land a reserve role out of Spring Training.

Matos' injury problems nudged him out of contention for a roster spot in the Orioles overflowing outfield. Instead, he was stuck playing out most of the season at AA Bowie, where he hit .275 with a .370 OBP and .482 SLG on 60 H, 14 2B, 2 3B, and 9 HR with a 32:45 BB:K and 14/18 SB%. The 23-year-old will probably spend at least portion of 2003 in AAA. He offers both speed and power with good plate discipline, so he should eventually break into the majors in a regular role.

Matthews hit the disabled list with tendinitis in his right wrist in the last week of August. He's only now rejoining the team and still experiencing some lingering problems from his injury, but the Orioles are quite pleased with his performance this season and fully intend for him to start in 2003.

Baltimore placed Ponson on the DL in early August with tendinitis in his right shoulder. Doctors found a torn labrum during an MRI but didn't recommend surgery. However rather than shut down for the remainder of the season, Ponson rested for a few weeks and then resumed pitching. Presuming he doesn't cause further damage to his shoulder this month, he should be fine for next year.

Rogers spent the season back at AA after two limited attempts at the level in the past. He managed to hit .261 with a .300 OBP and .410 SLG on 110 H, 26 2B, 2 3B, and 11 HR with a 16:70 BB:K and 14/18 SB% in 422 AB. Although he has moderately attractive speed and power skills, his plate discipline is abhorrent, so he'll likely wither further against AAA pitching. Despite his presence on the 40-man, there was no reason to reward him with a September cup-of-coffee as he'll add little to the team this month and didn't earn the call-up. At least the Orioles appear to be limiting him to less than a half-dozen pinch-hit at-bats. Prior to this season, we thought he at least had youth on his side, but he gained three years in last off-season's age adjustments, making him 24. Consequently, he'll need to find a good hitting coach to teach him the strike zone soon if he ever wants to be an offensive threat or even deserve a major league job.