Andy Mitchell as a Starting Pitcher

Andy Mitchell is a right-handed pitcher at AAA Norfolk (Orioles organization). He's 28 years old and works as a reliever most of the time, but has 5 starts this season. The results of those starts are interesting.

In his starts, Mitchell has thrown 25.2 innings with 18 strikeouts and only 4 walks. 1 home run and 18 hits. 2.45 ERA. That's really good pitching.

As a reliever, Mitchell has a 4.65 ERA in 40.2 innings. 31 SO and 15 BB. 2 home runs and 48 hits.

He's an extreme underhanded pitcher (a submariner like Chad Bradford) so he's got a reliever label, but maybe he's more effective as a starter. He gets a ton of ground-outs (2.06 GO/AO ratio) which is a really good sign.

Getting left-handed hitters out has always been a struggle for Mitchell. Check out these stats:

vs. LH (avg, obp, slg)
2007 .289/.381/.356
2006 .341/.413/.462
2005 .295/.382/.400

vs RH
2007 .218/.252/.291
2006 .236/.314/.310
2005 .260/.317/.415

I'd think a starting pitcher could work around those LH hitters while a reliever just has to get everyone out. Anyway, the lefties don't hit for great power against him, but the walks are a pain.

In 2006, Mitchell only made one start in 51 appearances for AAA Ottawa. Overall he had a 2.27 ERA in 67.1 innings, 49 SO, 27 BB, 3 HR, 72 hits. Not bad.

He made zero starts in his 5 previous seasons in the Orioles organization.

The Orioles are hurting for starters at Norfolk, so this could be Mitchell's big chance to get noticed. Last night he started and went 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits (one homer). 5 strikeouts and no walks. I hope he stays in the rotation and gets a chance to prove himself.