Posted by Paul Bugala on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 3:06 pm

After a fairytale 2008 season, Orioles prospect Jake Arrieta’s 2009 campaign was a much different story through the first week of May. A string of rainouts in April and early May and a groin pull introduced the first few clouds into the promising career of Baltimore’s number three prospect, according to Baseball America.

“The layoff was a huge factor and I strained my groin in my (April 26) start against (Philadelphia Double-A affiliate) Reading,” Arrieta said before a recent Bowie Baysox game. “It really affected my command. That’s why I went to some off-speed pitches early in the count, to try to get ahead. But I was missing away to lefties and they took advantage of the fastball late in the count. I just had trouble with my command. It’s something that when I’m fully healthy is never a problem for me.”

(Photo: Bill Vaughn)

By his sixth start, the clouds parted and Arrieta regained the form that earned him 2008 Carolina League Pitcher of the Year honors, a spot on the Beijing Olympic team, and a non-roster invitation to the Orioles’ Spring Training. In his last two starts, the right-hander has picked up two wins, improved his earned run average from 3.80 to 2.70, and—as result—earned Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week ending May 17. The weather improved, but health was a bigger factor.

“I think the biggest thing right now is staying healthy,” Arrieta said. “I think that most people could see that I wasn’t 100 percent and it’s very frustrating to me to go out there that way. But I’m always going to pitch to the best of my ability.”

Arrieta is part of a bumper crop of pitching prospects in the Baltimore farm system that includes the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft Brian Matusz, a 2008 Baseball America Double-A All-Star Chris Tillman, and the 2008 Eastern League strikeout leader David Hernandez. However, Arrieta’s experience and success on the big stages, whether it was at the Olympics or the 2008 Futures Game at Yankee Stadium, makes him stand out among his peers.

“I think all those experiences have prepared me for playing at the next level,” Arrieta said. “Being able to meet and play with all the different type of players has been a great experience so early in my career.”

Along the way, the Plano, Texas native has picked the brains of Hall of Famers George Brett and Rollie Fingers, but Baltimore Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie made a particularly strong impression on him during Spring Training this year.

“Being the ace of the staff, I liked to watch him throw his bullpens and basically do everything that I do,” Arrieta said. “I liked to watch how he did those things. Just kind of watch what makes him successful.”

Through observation and trial, Arrieta is learning success at the next level is dependent on perfecting the finer points of the game, such as minding base runners.

“There are a ton of little things that go into pitching that are just as important as attacking hitters and trying to get strikeouts,” he said. “Controlling the running game is a huge part of the game and something that I take pride in. If I happen to walk a guy or give up a base hit, I don’t want to give him second base. I’ve always worked on having quick feet, changing my looks and perfecting my holds. That has helped me have a pretty good pick off move.”

Arrieta’s tenacity and meticulous approach to the game are just a few of the reasons why the forecast for Baltimore Orioles fans is sunnier than it has been in a long time.