Kameron Mickolio

The critics are raving over Baltimore's trade that sent Erik Bedard to the Mariners for Adam Jones, Chris Tillman and Mickolio. Jones is already paying dividends and Tillman is projected as a front line starter, but don't sleep on Mickolio. He put together a fine season in Triple-A before making 11 appearances with the Orioles. Eventually, Mickolio could be an option to close, but the signing of Mike Gonzalez should help put those plans on hold for a little while. At the very least, Mickolio should be ready for a full season in the big leagues and he should be given an opportunity to pitch in high-pressure situations.

Mickolio was a dark horse prospect acquired from the Mariners in the Erik Bedard trade. He was decent at Double-A before he excelled in a promotion to Triple-A, allowing just four earned runs in 20 innings. The Orioles believe he may have the stuff to close later on, but at 6'9" and 255 pounds, the Orioles need to make sure he maintains that weight. He should be an important part of the bullpen in 2009, but he won't close this year unless a rash of injuries hit the back of the Orioles' pen.

An 18th-round pick in 2006, Mickolio has moved through the system quickly since beginning at Low-A Everett. He started last year at Double-A West Tennessee where he posted a 1.82 ERA in 29.2 innings before a mid-June promotion to Triple-A Tacoma. His WHIP was virtually unchanged with the move, though his ERA rose to a still-respectable 3.75. At 6-9, 256, Mickolio is an intimidating presence on the mound. He features a 92-95 mph fastball, an improving changeup and a hard slider that is his out pitch. Not only does Mickolio miss bats (10.50 K/9IP at Tacoma), but he has good control as he recorded a 2.5 K/BB mark last season. Mickolio enters spring training looking for a bullpen job with the parent club, but likely will head back to Triple-A before a midseason promotion.

Mickolio features a 92-95 mph fastball, an improving changeup and a hard slider that is his out pitch. At 6-foot-9, 256 he can be an intimidating presence on the mound.