Who Has Helped or Hurt Themselves the Most With Their Performances This Spring?

This week, as part of the Hot Stove website, the Oriole Post along with other prominent bloggers were asked this question: Bearing in mind that Spring Training stats are essentially meaningless, who among the Orioles' players have helped or hurt themselves the most with their performances this spring?

For the most part, the Orioles everyday batting lineup is set, and also the bench. Although second baseman Brian Roberts has not played in a Grapefruit League game, Felix Pie has not played much due to injury, and Miguel Tejada, Nolan Reimold, plus Matt Wieters are struggling at the plate, no one is in real danger of losing their jobs.

On the pitching front, both Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman have made quite the impression this Spring; meanwhile, Brad Bergesen is coming back from injury and looks to be healthy. Veterans Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie have struggled at points during camp, but both men are virtual locks in the rotation.

Farmhands such as Josh Bell, Rhyne Hughes, Brandon Snyder and Miguel Abreu have made a solid impression amongst fans and personnel with the organization who seem them every day. None of these guys will be up with the Orioles on Opening Day unless there's a major injury or until much, much later in the season.

The real battle for roster spots is pretty much out of the bullpen at this point. Jim Johnson, Mike Gonzalez, Koji Uehera, plus lefties Will Ohman and Mark Hendrickson are locks; meanwhile, Cla Meredith, Matt Albers, Kam Mickolio and Dennis Sarfate are fighting for jobs in Baltimore. However, Mike Gonzalez has struggled with some ailments over the past week, but for the most part, he's more than safe on the roster.

Also, young pitchers David Hernandez and Jason Berken are also in contention for a roster spot. Both men had ups and downs last season at the major league level; however, Hernandez has been the far more consistent and impressive of two, while Berken has struggled. Hernandez could find himself a fifth starter if Tillman falters or in the bullpen, while Berken - I think - will start the year in Triple-A (Norfolk).

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