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Ubaldo Jimenez‘s performance in the 2014 MLB season can bluntly be described in one word: atrocious. After signing a four-year, $50 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles — the largest in team history — Jimenez posted a disappointing 6-9 record and a 4.81 ERA with his new team. The native Dominican struggled with his command throughout the year, walking batters at an alarmingly high rate. The Orioles’ biggest free-agent signing began to appear as one of the franchise’s biggest mistakes.
But what a difference a year makes, to have a fresh start and a clean slate. After working with pitching coach Dave Wallace in the offseason to simplify his mechanics, Jimenez enjoyed a productive spring and earned the final spot in the Orioles’ rotation. He continued to build on this momentum and tossed a gem in his first start of the 2015 season, as Baltimore crushed the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1. Jimenez was dazzling in his seven innings of work, striking out eight batters, allowing one hit and, most importantly, surrendering only one walk.
Jimenez’s brilliant start is even more impressive considering it occurred on the heels of Toronto’s offensive explosion in the previous game. The Blue Jays clubbed 16 hits en route to a 12-5 victory yesterday, and will possess one of the game’s most potent lineups this year. This kind of performance must be a huge relief for Jimenez as he attempts to erase the bad memories of 2014. For the Orioles, it was great to see signs of the guy they paid big bucks for in the previous year.
Though it’s unlikely for Jimenez to return to his All-Star form of 2010, he can provide a consistent option at the back end of Baltimore’s rotation, giving the team a chance to win every time he toes the rubber. That’s really all the Orioles need from him, considering the powerful lineup the team sends out each night. With a solid year from Jimenez, Baltimore will have six quality starters on their roster and only five available spots — a dilemma that most other ball clubs would desire to have. With the promising Kevin Gausman temporarily in the bullpen and prospect Dylan Bundy waiting in the wings, Baltimore has quietly assembled one of the best rotations in baseball that no one knows about.
With the weight off his shoulders and a win under his belt, Ubaldo Jimenez is showing signs of better things to come for the Baltimore Orioles this season.
Ben Linton is a MLB writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @Ben_Linton91, or add him to your network on Google.
