Willie Eyre, relief pitcher

Can he be a major-league pitcher?

Willie Eyre — full name, William Mays Eyre — is a 32-year-old pitcher who has pitched consistently well in the minor leagues and has pitched at a replacement level in the majors. He doesn’t have great control and he doesn’t strike out a lot of hitters, but he’s succeeded by consistently not allowing base hits. He’s been less effective as a starter than as a reliever in the minors.

Because he has pitched well in the minors, there’s no reason he can’t be a successful sixth-seventh inning middle relief pitcher. Because he doesn’t have great control, and doesn’t have a strikeout pitch, it’s unlikely that he’d succeed in a more important role. He’s also the sort of pitcher who would be sent down if he hits a rough patch. So while he could be a major-league pitcher, it’s unlikely that he’d have a significant career.

Eyre re-signed with the Orioles for 2012.