Knocking Down the Door (Pitchers)

posted 12:59 PM PST
by Jason Martinez

None of the four pitchers from last week's list are in the majors yet but all continue to pitch well and I can see at least two getting the call in the next few weeks. Check out which pitcher's are trying to 'Knock Down the Door' this week.

Jake Arrieta, RHP - Triple-A Norfolk (BAL): It's actually been the Orioles bullpen that has been primarily responsible for the team's 2-11 start while the rotation has been fairly solid. However, one starter in particular, Brad Bergesen, is on the hot seat after allowing 10 ER's in 7.2 IP over his first two starts while the 24 year-old Arrieta has allowed just six hits in 12 scoreless innings in two starts with Triple-A Norfolk. Bergesen will make his third start tonight against Seattle. If he struggles again, the O's might look for a replacement and Arrieta would very likely be the guy to step in.

Marco Estrada, RHP - Triple-A Nashville (MIL): Coming off of a strong season with Triple-A Syracuse (9-5, 3.63 ERA in 136.1 IP), the 26 year-old Estrada was surprisingly placed on waivers by the pitching-starving Nationals this offseason, who drafted him in the 6th Round back in 2005. Now with Triple-A Nashville after being claimed by the Brewers, he's making the organization look smart after two scoreless outings in which he's allowed just four hits and two walks in 13 IP. While he is unlikely to get a shot in the Milwaukee rotation right away despite their struggles (relievers Chris Narveson and Manny Parra would likely get the first shot if they make a change), Estrada should be part of the Milwaukee pitching staff at some point if he continues to pitch well.

Derek Holland, LHP - Triple-A Oklahoma City (TEX): Aside from Rich Harden, who has failed to get out of the 4th inning in two of three starts and has 14 BB's in 13.1 IP, the Texas starters have been very good. The bullpen, however, would benefit greatly if the team decided to move C.J. Wilson back into a setup role although that might not be fair to Wilson, who has pitched very good in two starts. Any change the team does make in the future could include the 23 year-old Holland (pictured, courtesy of Icon Sports Media Inc.), who has been brilliant in three Triple-A starts (19.2 IP, ER, 17 H, 3 BB, 15 K). The lefty actually made 12 relief appearances with the Rangers last season, along with 21 starts, and could be used in the 'pen helping to bridge the gap to 21 year-old closer Neftali Feliz.

Brad Mills, LHP - Triple-A Las Vegas (TOR): With Brian Tallet having allowed 2 HR's in each of his first three starts, the Jays could soon look for help down on the farm where the 25 year-old Mills has been dominant in his first two Triple-A starts of 2010. In 11.1 IP, the lefty has struck out 18 batters while allowing just 1 ER, 1 BB, and 9 hits. Drafted in the 4th Round back in '07, Mills reached Triple-A last season and went just 2-8 but had a respectable 4.06 ERA with 72 K's in 84.1 IP.

Knocking Down the Door (Position Players) - April 19, 2010