Which Orioles Pitcher will Benefit From Brad Bergesen's Struggles?

After three terrible starts to begin the season, it has become obvious that Brad Bergesen isn't the same guy we saw last season.

Coming into this month, Bergesen was thought by many, including myself, to be one of the few Orioles pitchers who you knew what you were getting when he got on the mound. Before his freak-injury that ended his season in 2009, Bergy pumped out quality starts like it was no big deal and that is what I thought we would see this year.

Instead, Bergesen has had issues keeping the ball down, and it has led to an 0-2 record with a 12.19 ERA.

Because of this, it was announced today that Bergesen would be sent down to triple-A Norfolk, while reliever Alberto Castillo was called up.

While Castillo is the beneficiary right now, he won't be the one taking his spot in the rotation. That spot, which won't have to be filled until May 5 due to off days, could go to several players; it is just a matter of who the Orioles choose to go with.

Three weeks ago, the easy answer was Chris Tillman, who was just beat for the final spot in the spring by David Hernandez. Unfortunately, the days since then haven't been kind to the 22 year old.

Let's just say an 0-3 start with an 8.38 ERA doesn't exactly scream "call me up."

However, while Tillman might not be the man right now, the Tides have another prospect waiting to be called up that has done nothing but impress.

In just three starts in AAA ball, Jake Arrieta has shown his ranking among prospects isn't just a number. He is 1-0 with a .50 ERA and people are batting just .183 against him.

While he has had just three starts, the Orioles might look hard at the kid because they need a spark on a team filled with depressed players and new blood might not be a bad thing. Not to mention the fact that Andy MacPhail could be tempted to use him to get fans excited again.

The two things keeping Arrieta from being a must-call up other than the inexperience are his pitch count and control. Arrieta has pitched into the seventh inning just once in his three starts, which is a sign that he might struggle to keep his pitch count down in the big leagues. In addition, his 4:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio isn't where you would like it to be.

With the bullpen as bad as it has been lately, making them finish the last five innings of a game isn't ideal.

Finally, perhaps the most reasonable option is already on the team. Jason Berken has pitched very well in the long relief role. The question is just whether or not the Orioles want to mess with a good thing.

Berken was a starter for much of last season, but had trouble staying away from that one inning where things seemed to explode. Although his 6.54 rookie ERA looks atrocious, watching him pitch was painful more-so because he always seemed like he was in perfect control until that one inning where he would give up like five runs.

As you can see, having options at pitcher hasn't been an issue for the O's. It is just figuring out which to use that will determine how soon they get out of their slump.