Chris Tillman: Charm City’s Ace

Baseball, more so than any other sport, is a game where numbers matter. Batting average, home runs, RBI, wins, and losses all define a player’s worth and perceived value. Pitching is often considered the most important part of baseball, and the one that separates the average teams from World Series champions.

There are many good pitchers in Major League Baseball, but there are only a select few who fans and pundits will refer to as an “ace.” There is no set criteria used to define an “ace” pitcher, yet the term is thrown around daily when describing a pitcher’s ability. Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, David Price, and Felix Hernandez are just a few of MLB’s pitchers who are widely regarded as “aces,” and all of them have won at least one Cy Young Award. However, there are a dozen other quality pitchers in the majors who are held in less esteem because they are not defined by this term, but may be the number one starter for their team. One of those pitchers is the Orioles’ Chris Tillman.

Tillman is considered to be the Orioles #1 starter, but many think he is no more than a #2 on any other staff, and certainly not an “ace.” Truthfully speaking, I would take Kershaw, Verlander, Price and Hernandez over Tillman if I could choose any pitcher in the league. However, I am not quick to dismiss Tillman as an “ace” pitcher…keeping in mind I consider “ace” to be a relative term.

An “ace” pitcher is one who you can trust to give the ball to every five days and who will in return give your team a chance to win the game. Tillman does that. An “ace” pitcher will help you end a losing streak, which Tillman did in his second start of the season when he bested Verlander to end the O’s four game losing streak. True #1s will pitch deep into games like Tillman has done in his last three starts going 8 1/3, 7, and 8 innings respectively while giving the Orioles bullpen much needed rest. “Ace” pitchers do not have their best stuff every start, but are able to adapt and still pitch well enough to give their team a chance to win the game. Many pitchers can’t hold up against big league hitters without their best stuff, and earlier in his career Tillman was one of those guys, but that has changed. Look no further than Opening Day when Tillman did not have it all going for him but managed to keep the Red Sox offense in check for five innings and help his team win the game.

When Tillman takes the mound every five days what do you see? Do you only focus on win/loss record, ERA, and WHIP relative to the undisputed “aces” in MLB? If you do, then you might be missing out on the transformation of an “ace,” who is maturing and becoming the anchor of the Orioles pitching staff. You might also be missing out on a pitcher who gives his team a chance to win every time he takes the mound; a pitcher who has the ultimate respect from his teammates and manager; a pitcher who makes adjustments and battles regardless of how is stuff is on any given start; and, a pitcher who is leading by example and raising the bar for the other Orioles starters in the organization.

When I see Chris Tillman, I see an “ace” and feel fortunate that he wears an Orioles uniform.