The Waiting is the Hardest Part

When I woke up this morning the O's were still holding their head above .500, but I think we all know that won't last. Their already quiet bats will have to deal with Maryland's own Gavin Floyd tonight, and then the Yankers come to town, so the euphoria felt during that 6-1 start may be beginning to wane already. Don't get me wrong, I still like where this team is going. I get excited when I Nick Markakis, Luke Scott and LaMarquis de Centerfield in the outfield. I think there is a lot of upside to the bullpen, and I am excited to think that MacPhail may actually know what he's doing, and most importantly, may be allowed by Angelos to do it.

What really excites me, however, is the notion that the O's may finally have drafted a "can't miss" college player who could be doing damage in the majors by this time next year. When the Birds took Georgia Tech Catcher Matt Weiters with the 5th pick overall most people thought it was pure folly, and that he was yet another top pick that would go unsigned by the O's. But, they got a deal done, and Weiters hit two homers in his first professional game for the Fredrick Keys last week. So far this season Weiters has collected 27 at bat's in 11 games. Over that span, he has hit .444 with a 2B, 3 HRs and 8 RBI. The Carolina League obviously already has a ton of respect for him, as he's drawn 10 walks so far this season. If he keeps this up he'll be in Bowie by May, and he should get a September call up to the big team too.

Georgia Tech is famous for turning out great players, like another tall switch hitter: Mark Teixeira. Tex played just 86 games in the minor leagues in 2002, before breaking through with the Rangers on opening day of '03. It is not at all unthinkable that Weiters could very well do the same if he stays on this pace. With him in place (and perhaps Teixeira too if he wants to join his fellow alum and return home to Maryland) the team could put together a two to three year run like Cleveland, Detroit or Colorado.

A boy can dream can't he?