Wynn

Pelzer

Acquired when the Orioles shipped Miguel Tejada to the Padres in July of 2010, Pelzer was pitching for Double-A Bowie following a rough Triple-A stint in 2011. He was getting lit up, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks through his first three innings. Two months shy of his 26th birthday, Pelzer’s career minor-league numbers aren’t much better, as he’s turned in a 3.92 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 426/211 K/BB ratio in 475 innings across four levels. Right-handed, he’s rapidly running out of time to prove himself.

Pelzer turned 24 years of age one month ago and has posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 94 1/3 innings this season at Double-A San Antonio. He’s had serious control problems in his last two minor league seasons and will need to rectify that issue before he can be considered a promising relief or rotation prospect. This was a salary dump for the O’s, basically.

The O’s wanted Josh Bell to take over third base and gave away Tejada for a relative pittance. Pelzer, 24, is 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 94 1/3 innings this season at Double-A San Antonio. Until he rectifies his control problems, he will have little hope of sticking in the majors.

It was a big surprise when Pelzer went unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. He’s wild, but since he has a big arm, he was definitely worth a look. So far this season, he’s allowed one run and three hits in 14 innings for Bowie, though he has walked eight in the process. He projects as a reliever in the majors.