During Orioles FanFest, southpaw and one of the newest acquisitions in the offseason, Dana Eveland spoke with the media for a couple of minutes.
Evaland answered questions about his preparation for Spring Training, his experiences in the minors.
In addition, he spoke about the rotation, the additions to the roster and a few other things.
Here are some quotes and notes I was able to pick up from him.
His expectations heading into camp:
I like my chances. You know, there’s a lot of talent, but I like my chances; just that they need to quit signing lefties.
Normally, I am coming into spring training as one of three – maybe; now, there’s like twelve of us I feel like. I am not even sure, but … it’s all right, I’m ready, looking forward to Spring Training and just getting ready to go.
I don’t feel like they (the Orioles) would have traded for me, and gone through the effort to acquire me and sign me to a contract, if they if didn’t have serious interest in keep me around, you know?
As long as I perform – if I go into Spring Training and can’t throw strikes, and getting hit around, then they’re going to move me. As I long as I go and do what I am capable of doing and try to ride out the way I finished last year, I should be in good shape.
Pitching last year in the minors:
I had to pitch in Albuquerque last year – which is one of the hardest places in all of baseball to pitch – and learned a lot.
I really had to pitch; you can’t make mistakes there, so um, my command got a better last year, I was able to sink the ball a little more, I was able to add and subtract off my fastball a little bit – whatever I could do to keep hitters off balance. I learned a lot in Albuquerque.
His pitching style after his surgery in 2010:
That helped a lot; it didn’t hurt when I threw breaking balls last year – which is nice. I had to battle, and it hurt for a couple of years, so it felt good to have it taken care of.
Facing the lineups in the American League East:
Definitely; I’ve done it before. I’ve been everywhere. I pitched against everybody; it does not matter anymore.
I feel like as long as I got out and make pitches, it doesn’t matter if it’s a two year old in the box, or the greatest hitter of all time, I feel as if I make a good pit
ch, I can get them out.
About being a starter versus a reliever:
Not necessarily. I would prefer to start, but I also prefer to be in the big leagues and do whatever I can do to help the team win, rather than sit in the minor leagues. I’ve done that too many times, and I’m done with that.
I want to be a big leaguer; I feel like I am a good enough pitcher to be in the big leagues and stay in the big leagues. If they want me to be in the bullpen, I’ll take that role; if they want me to start, I’ll take that role.
More on his thoughts about Spring Training and if he expects a job:
Well, every Spring Training I’ve pretty much ever gone into – maybe besides 2009 – I’ve had to go in and try to win a job. It’s always been a competition for me. I always take Spring Training seriously.
I am not as fortunate as some guys who go in and maybe get ready in Spring Training. I’ve got to go in from day one and I’m used to being in that situation.
