It’s been a busy year for Kameron Mickolio.
The right-handed pitcher was traded from Seattle in February. After spending a chunk of time at the Orioles’ major league spring traiing camp, he was assigned to Double-A Bowie. Then came a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk.
Wednesday, the wild ride reached its pinnacle when the Montana native was summoned by the Orioles to take a spot in the big league bullpen.
“It’s very exciting,” Mickolio said from his locker before Wednesday’s game. “I’m still trying to figure out how to control my emotions right now. Just got done with my first [pitcher’s fielding practice] session so it feels like I got a little bit of the nerves out of the way. But I’ve still got them.”
Mickolio, 24, will fill an undetermined role in the bullpen.
At 6-foot-9, 256 pounds, his side-arm motion is devastating on right-handed hitters. After being promoted to Norfolk, he saved two games with a 1.50 ERA in 15 appearances. While with the Tides, right-handers batted just .107 against him.
“He’s got movement, arm angle is a little different, obviously his size, I think, factors into it, late life on his pitches,” manager Dave Trembley said. “Obviously he’s very excited, not too many guys from Montana get to come to the big leagues and he’s here for the first time and we’re glad to have him.”
Mickolio graduated from Bozeman High and hails from Wolf Point, MT — the hometown of former Oriole John Lowenstein.
On Feb. 8, he was acquired along with minor league pitchers Tony Butler and Chris Tillman, outfielder Adam Jones, and All-Star closer George Sherrill — whom he replaces on the 25-man roster after Sherrill (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday night.
With Sherrill out, the Orioles are likely to use right-hander Jim Johnson as the closer, which opens up the eighth-inning role previously held by Johnson.
Mickolio — pronounced ‘mick-uh-LIE-oh’ — was aware of the Orioles’ need for healthy arms. But he didn’t envision himself fitting into the club’s immediate plans.
“I was fairly surprised when I got the call,” Mickolio said. “I haven’t been following it real closely. But I’ll take it.”
[email protected]
