Maybe it’s something about being an Orioles fan, but whenever I hear about a young O’s pitcher getting injured, I always immediately fear the worst.
I know it’s an overreaction. But it’s unavoidable. This is a team that’s been notoriously unsuccessful with pitching prospects. Too many to count have seen their careers stall out soon after they reach the majors — or long before they ever get there — whether it’s because of ineffectiveness, poor development, or, yes, injuries. Minor ailments become significant ones, which become career enders. Orioles fans, perhaps more than anyone, are all too familiar with the phrase There Is No Such Thing As A Pitching Prospect.