Jason Berken Big Leaguer

Jason Berken the ace of the 2003 champion Swampbat team is starting his third season as a Baltimore Oriole.  After a stellar career at Clemson, he was taken in the 6^th round of the 2006 major league draft.  He quickly moved through the farm system and was called up to the big club in May of 2009, beating Toronto in his major league debut.  He struggled for much of the balance of the year and was moved to the bullpen for the 2010 season.  Jason found a home there as the most consistent middle reliever posting a 3.03 ERA before being shut down in mid-August with rotator cuff fraying.  After a winter of rehab and losing 30 pounds Jason is ready for a strong 2011 season in Baltimore.   You just may see him on NESN this summer facing Youk, Big Papi and Pedroia.

A View from the swamp

Well its almost March, so we have about 100 days and counting until opening day!  That sure does sound like a long time, but us hearty New Englanders are used to waiting for things. 

I was looking over some of the College Baseball websites and noticed that one of last years players is getting quite a lot of preseason hype.  Jeremy Baltz out of St. Johns University and last years Swampbat team, is a preseason All American.  That means he is considered one of the 3 best college outfielders.  Being just a sophmore he won't be draft eligable until next year, so I would guess he will either play on the Cape or Team USA this summer.