The Norris & Davis Best Of - Week Of March 12th
This week's edition of the Norris & Davis Show Best Of includes interviews with Orioles pitcher Brad Brach, Pittsburgh Post Gazette writer Ron Cook on Pedro Alvarez and Vance Worley, and former Orioles Mike Bordick joined the show live from spring training.
BRAD BRACH
Brad started off by talking about the team's spring training struggles and if it is a topic in the clubhouse saying, "guys are kind of joking about it but no one is really taking it to seriously...yesterday we hit the ball real hard but it was right at somebody." As for whether or not any players have impressed him so far this spring Brad said,"Mark Trumbo his batting practice is really impressive the ball comes off his bat very well...expect a lot of home-runs at Camden this year he has some serious serious pop."
On the topic of facing the Orioles line-up and what it would be like to face them Brad said, "the pitchers in our bullpen we'll sit down and talk about our line-up and we talk about if you put a guy on you're setting yourself up for a big inning...if you make a mistake against us you're going to pay." Brad was asked about getting Matt Wieters back and what that means to the team saying, "it's great having Matt back, I can't imagine many catchers in the game that have more knowledge of hitters around this league."
Brad also talked about possible rule changes to speed up the game, and his Monmouth team trying to make the NCAA Tournament.
RON COOK
Ron started by talking about what kind of player the Orioles are getting in Alvarez saying "well I think you got a good player as long as you don't give him a glove and put him in the field...early in his career he was fine at third base but then for some reason he just couldn't make the throw across the infield." Ron also talked about any weaknesses in Alvarez's game saying "he can't hit lefties, you got yourselves a good hitter...I won't say he's a good player but he's a good hitter."
Ron also talked about the Orioles acquisition of Vance Worley a pitcher who spent time in the Pirates organization saying "to me he's just another pitcher nothing special."
MIKE BORDICK
Mike started off by talking about the Orioles early struggles in the spring saying "it's unfortunate that they haven't been able to put up a win yet, but this is a team full of veteran leadership...this is going to be a competitive team."
When talking about the struggles at the plate for Hyun Soo Kim Mike said "he's making some good contact, and he's going to hit he will it's just a timing thing...I liken him to a Nick Markakis it terms of using the whole field and having good at bats." As for what may be causing the struggles Mike said "there is a question it facing Major League pitching the velocity has gone up...it's just a timing thing right now."
Mike also talked about some of the young prospects that may play for the Orioles this year, and the Orioles impressive lineup they can put together.
