Wynn's the Right Time To Meet the Newest Baltimore Oriole?

The Orioles completed a trade, sending Miguel Tejada out West once again.

In case you don't remember, this is the second time the O's have traded the third-baseman. The first time came in December 2007.

The team shipped Tejada to Houston for a whole host of players, including Luke Scott, Mike Costanzo, Troy Patton, Matt Albers, and Dennis Sarfate. Costanzo is the only player who is no longer in the Orioles system.

This go-around, the O's shipped Tejada to San Diego, where they hope Tejada can revive his bat, and show form similar to his past two seasons, when he hit 13 and 14 home runs, and drove in 66 and 86 runs.

This time the Orioles didn't rob the opposing team blind, getting Wynn Pelzer in a straight-up, one-for-one deal.

If you've never heard of Pelzer, don't beat yourself up over it.

Just read this and find out what he's like, how good he can be, and where he'll end up.

The Man

Pelzer was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, and as such, went off to college to be a Gamecock.

He pitched mostly as a reliever for South Carolina, despite the fact that the Padres have been trying to develop him as a starter.

His first season at USC, the Gamecocks made it all the way to the College World Series Regionals.

But, Pelzer didn't get to see much action. He started four games (all weekday non-conference) and only appeared in 18 games total.

His sophomore campaign saw the Gamecocks improve slightly, advancing to the Super-Regionals.

Pelzer got his first real taste of starting that season, and he managed to lock down two complete games, although his strikeout numbers dipped, and he issued almost as many walks as he did Ks.

As a junior, Pelzer was strictly a reliever, tossing 39.2 innings out of the bullpen.

He made huge strides with his command, and managed to limit his walks to 4.1 per nine innings. His strikeout rate also jumped, from 7.4 per nine to 10.7.

After a decent, but unspectacular season, the Padres took a change on Pelzer in the ninth-round.

The Old Team

Pelzer signed too late to make it to late season ball, but was fresh for his first season of pro-ball, which saw him start at Fort Worth, in the Low-A Midwest League.

Debuting as a full-time starter for the first time since high school, Pelzer made a fool of Midwest League hitters, striking out 100 batters in only 118.1 innings.

His fantastic season (9-6 3.19 ERA) convinced the Padres that he was ready for more of a challenge, so they sent Pelzer to the Cal League.

The next season Pelzer pitched even better than he did at Low-A.

This time, he struck out 147 batters in 150.2 innings, walking 59. He kept his ERA down by stranding an alarming amount of hitters on base, and only surrendered six home runs all season long.

This season brought Pelzer along the lines of natural progression, and to San Antonio of the Texas League.

Pelzer has found the going a little tougher in the hitters league, but has still put together a solid season.

His ERA is the highest it's even been (4.20), and his strikeout numbers are down (only 83 in 94.1 innings).

The Stuff

I'll go straight to the horse's mouth for a scouting report on Pelzer.

Baseball America ranked the six-foot-one, 210 pound right-hander as the seventh best prospect in San Diego's system, ahead of 2009 draftee Everett Williams, Aaron Poreda, Drew Cumberland and Keyvius Sampson.

They also penciled Pelzer as the closer of the future for the Padres.

BA labels him as a "power pitching prospect," who can touch the high 90s, but sits more comfortably in the low to mid 90s.

They also claim that he is able to work deep into games, and could be a innings eater if the team decides to keep him as a starter.

Pelzer also features an impressive slider, that was voted as the best in the organization, along with his fastball, which also earned the top honor.

He hasn't really perfected any third pitch, which leads many to believe that his future long-term could be in the bullpen.

There he would be allowed a little more room to throw a bit harder, and could be a shut-down closer.

The New Team

So, now Pelzer is an Oriole, but will he be a Baysock...or a Tide?

If I had to guess, I would think the Orioles would prefer to let him continue as a starter.

The Eastern League is a tad more friendly to pitchers, so I think sending him to Bowie would be the best option. Let him get his feet a little wet.

It looks like the Padres were attempting to get him some innings as a reliever, just in case they wanted to use him in September and on into the playoffs.

The reliever card is a good one, but for now, it might be best placed up the sleeve.

If Pelzer can establish a third pitch, he could be a mid-rotation starter.

Side Effects

Obviously, this trade affects more players than just Tejada and Pelzer.

First off, Josh Bell should now be the Orioles everyday third-baseman. Assuming Ty Wiggington remains an Oriole, he could also see some playing time at the hot corner.

Second, Pelzer should cause a major shakeup in the Bowie rotation.

I'm sure the O's are going to want to get him some innings, to really evaluate him. So, that means that either Ryohei Tanaka, Steve Johnson, Rick Zagone, or Tim Bascom could be forced to the bullpen.