Hope in Baltimore (So Says SI's Ted Keith)

SI's Ted Keith provides some reinforcement that we O's loyalists are not just being delusional after 11 losing seasons in his Mailbag, titled "Hope in Baltimore (less in D.C.) and the game's best farm systems":

"There is no postseason in the Orioles' immediate future, and as long as the Nationals are sending their teams on the field in misspelled jerseys, it's safe to say they'll be a laughingstock for some time. On the other hand, both teams got impressive major league debuts from highly touted pitching prospects this week. The Nats' Jordan Zimmermann, a 22-year-old righty, beat the Braves on Monday with six strong innings in which he allowed six hits and two runs while striking out three. The next night, 23-year-old Brad Bergesen made his first start for the Orioles, beating the White Sox after surrendering just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings.

What's even more heartening for Baltimore fans is that Bergesen may not even be the third-best pitching prospect in the organization. Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta, each of whom impressed Orioles management in camp this spring, are ticketed for the majors, perhaps as early as the end of this season."