Baysox Notebook: Baysox Look For Offense, Pitching In First Series

Pitching has been a big plus for the Bowie Baysox the last few years, and they’re hoping for more of the same in 2010—starting with this weekend’s first series against Harrisburg.

Chorye Spoone, a Pasadena native coming back from surgery that sidelined him much of last year, threw well at times in in the season opener. If he can regain his old form, that will be a big plus for Bowie this season.  

“My goal to throw at least 160 [innings],” Spoone said. “If I’m going to remain a starter the whole year, I’d like to hit the 160 mark by the end of the season. I’d be happy with that.”

Steve Johnson is scheduled to make the start in Friday night’s game. Johnson is the son of former Oriole pitcher Dave Johnson—now part of the club’s broadcasting team—and has been making his way up the minor-league ladder.

Johnson came to the Orioles in a late 2009 trade with the Dodgers. He went 7-8 with a 5.09 ERA last year, striking out 128 and walking 78 in 145 innings. He battled some control issues at times, but often threw very well.

Rick Zagone, Tim Bascom and Eddie Gamboa are expected to make up the rest of the starting rotation. Each pitched for Bowie last year, and Bascom threw an inning in Thursday’s loss.

THE BATS

The Baysox got five hits in Thursday’s loss—one more than Harrisburg—but that wasn’t enough. However, they should be able to score some runs against the Senators and the rest of the Eastern League.

Bowie will have plenty of good bats this season, beginning with the returning Brooks Robinson amd Orioles Minor League Player of the Year Joe Mahoney,

The 6-foot-6 first baseman banged out 18 homers and 78 RBI last year while hitting .307 in a stellar season. He’ll be one of the team’s top hitters this year.

They’ll have some good hitters, including Jeff Fiorentino, who’s been here before as well as up with the Orioles. He played professionally in Japan in 2010.