Tagged: Orioles
Possible Suitors For Adam Jones
Over the past few weeks the Braves and Orioles have had trade talks that would include either Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado plus prospects for Jones. Another trade discussion that came up was that the Orioles want Tommy Hanson plus prospects for Jones. As a fan hearing that Jurrjens is involved scares me because he lost 2 MPH on his fast ball and he has only pitcher more than 200 innings once in his career. The Orioles understandably want more than Jurrjens and that is why they have been asking for two of Minor, Delgado, Vizcaino, and Teheran.
A team that could be laying in the weeds is the Washington Nationals who have expressed interest in Jones just last month. The interest in Jones could have died down since the Nats acquired Gio Gonzalez and have traded away sever top pitching prospects who the Orioles would have been interested in.
Fans have said that the Orioles are over valuing Jones, but realistically they have to since they have so many holes to fill on the pitching staff and offensive side of the ball. They have to get a quality first base prospect and multiple pitching prospects in return for Jones, because they cannot continually sign these old washed up first baseman like Derrek Lee.
Ideally I would want the Orioles to find a way to steal Peter Bourjous out of the Angels who would take over the lead off spot and would provide above average Center Field defense. I love the defense he offers and with an outfield of Bourjous, Reimold, and Markakis I would imagine there would be several seasons of Gold Glove winners coming out of Baltimore.
So basically in conclusion, avoid Jurrjens and look elsewhere for pitching to improve the staff.
Making a Case for Trading Adam Jones
The Orioles have been bottom feeders in the American League for the last decade plus. They have the prime chip that most teams that have players can give them up for Jones. Teams like the Angels, Rangers, and even the Giants could all show interest in Jones if he hits free agency.
If the Orioles happen to deal Jones at some point this season, then the players they will want back would be top prospects and Major League ready. Since Jones was born in San Diego, he has expressed he wants to play on the West Coast. It would be in the best interest for the Orioles to trade Jones since they could restock a very bad minor league system and help fill holes in the line up. It is not like the Orioles have not received calls about Jones, Markakis, and Reynolds.
Let’s say that the Padres want to put a package together for Jones, it would have to start with 3rd baseman Jedd Gyorko, and then possibly Robbie Erlin and Cory Spangenberg. It is just my opinion but the Padres seem to be the best match-up for the Orioles since they have the prospects that could fill the holes the Orioles have. I can’t imagine that the Orioles challenge for even the Wild Card this year so it makes sense to at least listen to offers for Jones and Markakis as well.
If teams think Jones may cost them too much in terms of prospects, then Markakis would be an easier player to get since the Orioles would have to eat some cash if they wished to deal him. The White Sox and the O’s have had talks during the Winter Meetings for possibly Carlos Quentin and Gavin Floyd, and the Sox wanted younger players in return. It would definitely be a long shot, but the White Sox could want Markakis in return for Floyd if the Orioles eat the cash on the contract.
Once the Trade deadline hits I would imagine that either Jones and or Markakis will be on different teams. It makes to much sense to trade them since I doubt that Jones is going to try to work out a contract extension with the team. The Orioles need to find ways to get younger all around the field and that begins by trading Markakis and Jones.
Orioles Top 10 Prospects for 2012
Even though the O’s had yet another losing season, some players were bright spots in the organization.
1. RHP, Dylan Bundy. If Bundy excels in his minor league starts next season, he could be on a fast pace to reach the majors. He has all of the intangibles to be a lights out pitcher in the league.
2. SS, Manny Machado. Machado did not disappoint last season, overpowering Single A and battled injuries in High A. If he can stay healthy for a full season he could finish the year out in Triple A.
3. SS/3B, Jonathan Schoop. He had some what of a break out season batting .316 in low A and .271 in High A. The reason he is not seeing a lot of time at short is because Machado is playing there at the time. I expect Schoop will be a utility player since his bat really does not fit for a regular third baseman.
4. OF, Xavier Avery, He put together an OK season, but if he wants to be a long term major league player he has to cut back on his strike outs. There should be no doubt he reaches Triple A this season and possibly at the end of the season a September Call up. Unless the Orioles trade Adam Jones, Avery will battle Reimold for Left Field.
5. RHP, Parker Bridwell. Even though he struggled this season, the talent is in Bridwell to be a dominate reliever in the future. He has topped 100 mph multiple times last season. The one thing that helps Bridwell is that he still has not even turned 20 yet, so he still has a lot of time to develop.
6. 2B/OF, L.J. Hoes. Hoes put together a very good season at Double A posting a .305 average and 54 RBI’s. He has been moved around to multiple positions in the outfield even though he was at second base for most of his minor league career. Expect Hoes to make it to the majors this season most likely in September.
7. 3B. Nick Delmonico. With all of the troubles the Orioles have had developing quality position players, they will have a hard time messing up this kid. He should arrive in the majors by 2013 if he can show all of his tools in the minors. The one thing he does not have is speed, but the overall is very impressive.
8. RHP. Dan Klein. The ever injured Klein put up very impressive numbers posting an ERA under 2 at Double A last season. He should make his major league debut if not this year he will get a spot in after Spring Training. Hopefully, Klein recovers fully from his surgery he had last season and did not lose to much velocity on his pitches.
9. RHP. Bobby Bundy. The older of the Bundy Brothers put together a quality season at High A and then struggled at Double A to finish the season. He had somewhat of a breakout season and he put his name on the watch list in the organization and could be on the fast pace to the majors. The struggles he had at Double A would most likely attribute to a tired arm and pitching the most innings he has ever pitched in his minor league career.
10. 1B. Joe Mahoney. The Big Irish is comparable to Casey Kotchman with the fact that neither hit for much power but they always find a way to get on base. If the Orioles don’t acquire a long term first baseman, look for the Orioles to plug Tyler Townsend or Mahoney at first.
Possible September Call Ups For the O’s
This team is in dire need of positional help and pitching help so several minor leagues could get called up once the rosters expand. With Guthrie feeling shoulder stiffness and Alfredo Simon struggling mightily the Orioles are forced to bring some players up they might not have.
One of the more hyped players in the minors or the Orioles this season is Greg Miclat of the Bowie Baysox. On a Orioles game a couple of days ago they mentioned how Miclat has 49 steals and even Buck Showalter is keeping an eye on him mainly because of his stolen bases. This team is lacking a player like him, so I see him being called up. He could possibly push Felix Pie out on the streets if he has a strong showing in September.
Big Irish Joe Mahoney could be another player called up with the injury to Chris Davis. Mahoney brings something to the table most players on the Orioles don’t have a OBP, he right now is at .353 on the season. He has only struck out 67 times on the season and walked 23 times. With first base having no one occupying it the Orioles should give this kid a chance.
Matt Angle is a sure call up since left field is begging for someone to take it. He is a plus defender in the outfield, plus he would take Felix Pie’s job in the outfield if he hits for a decent average and steals bases.
Some Double A pitchers will get the call, but that one will be harder to predict. If top reliever Dan Klein was healthy he most definitely would have gotten the call, but he was sent to Dr. Yocum to fix a slap tear in his labrum. I doubt any of these prospects that get called up this season will even have a chance to play everyday
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Top Prospects (11-20)
This is the next part of my list that covers the top 100 prospects in baseball.
Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh
Taillon has the chance to move up the farm system very quick if he continues to dominate Single A. He has a 3.16 ERA at West Virginia with 38 strikeouts to just 4 walks which is very impressive for a 19 year old. He is giving up just about a hit per inning which needs to come down, but once he brings that down the overall package he offers will be tremendous.
Dustin Ackley, 2b, Seattle Mariners
Yes Stephen Strasburgh was the number 1 pick in the 2009 draft, but Ackley was picked number 2 and should have had a better following in the minors. He won the Arizona Fall League MVP and was also Named the Arizona Fall League Rising Star. When he was promoted to the majors he got his first hit which was a single off Roy Oswalt of the Phillies. As of right now he is batting .297 with 1 homer and 4 RBI’s.
Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals
With all of the injuries the Cardinals are dealing with, I would not be surprised if Miller would get a September call up if the Cardinals are in the thick of a playoff race. He has already been promoted to Double A this season after pitching to a very impressive 2.89 ERA at Single A Advanced. At Double A this season he has 1.69 ERA in 32 innings pitched.
Manny Machado, SS, Orioles
The shortstop of the future for the Orioles is currently with the Fredrick Keys and is batting .158 in 6 games so far. I would imagine that Machado would stay with Fredrick the entire season, because they don’t want to rush him and they likely want to see him fail to see if he can rebound himself. He started the season at Delmarva and he had a .276 batting average with 6 homers and 24 RBI’s.
Matt Moore, LHP, Rays
You would be shocked if I didn’t say that the Rays have another stud pitcher in their minors. Moore has not struggled at any of the minor league levels he has been at, plus the highest ERA he has had at any level is a 3.36 and that was at Single A. On June 17, Moore was able to throw his first ever NO-Hitter for the Montgomery Biscuits.
Michael Pineda, RHP, Mariners
The possible Rookie of the Year has not disappointed for the Mariners pitching to a 2.65 ERA in 102 innings. When you have a 1,2 punch of Felix and Pineda that will win you many games for years to come. When you look at his minor league numbers you might not see how he can be so dominate. If Seattle can put together a league average offense they will contend for the AL West title just about every year.
Freddie Freeman, 1b, Braves
Freeman is having an OK season so far batting at .265 with 9 homers and 32 RBI’s. His minor league stats suggest he may be a 15 to 20 homer player. He is always going to hit for a decent average in the majors, and he should hit close to 30 or 40 doubles a season.
John Lamb, LHP, Royals
Another future Royal is pitching to a 3.09 ERA in 35 innings on the season. One would like to see his WHIP drop down to around 1.20 which right now it’s 1.31. He has to find better control of his pitches if he wants to continue to be a long term starter for the Royals.
Mike Montgomery, LHP, Royals
Montgomery has come on some hard times at Triple A, he is pitching to a 5.83 ERA in 78 innings. He is only 21 so that is a major plus for any team, and he can repeat Triple A if the Royals want him to. Triple A has also been the first level he has experienced any kind of difficulty in.
Chris Sale, LHP, White Sox
This impressive power lefty is pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 30 games so far this season. You would like to see that ERA lower than where it is at right now, but most of the damage came against him early in the season. If he finds better control of his pitches he could become a very dominate closer or even 4 or a 5 starter on the White Sox.
Plate Discipline Orioles version
This chart will show who has the worst plate discipline and the best plate discipline on the Orioles
| Name | O-Swing% | Z-swing% | Swing% | O-contact% | Z-contact% | Contact% | Zone% | F-Strike% | SwStr% |
| Nick Markakis | 25.7% | 67.3% | 45.4% | 80.5% | 91.0% | 87.8% | 47.4% | 55.2% | 5.5% |
| Felix Pie | 29.4% | 71.0% | 50.9% | 71.7% | 94.2% | 87.9% | 51.7% | 66.1% | 6.2% |
| Luke Scott | 27.1% | 74.1% | 48.4% | 58.6% | 83.9% | 76.2% | 45.4% | 55.6% | 11.5% |
| Nolan Reimold | 21.0% | 61.9% | 39.4% | 44.0% | 83.3% | 71.8% | 44.9% | 55.4% | 11.1% |
| Adam Jones | 44.8% | 71.7% | 57.5% | 64.8% | 86.9% | 77.7% | 47.0% | 63.8% | 12.5% |
| Matt Wieters | 30.8% | 68.3% | 47.8% | 69.9% | 88.2% | 81.7% | 45.3% | 59.7% | 8.7% |
| Craig Tatum | 22.5% | 68.2% | 46.4% | 66.7% | 86.7% | 82.1% | 52.4% | 63.6% | 8.3% |
| Derrek Lee | 25.2% | 67.1% | 45.4% | 68.3% | 83.3% | 79.0% | 48.2% | 56.1% | 9.3% |
| Brian Roberts | 24.8% | 68.0% | 46.3% | 81.0% | 93.5% | 90.1% | 49.9% | 59.6% | 4.5% |
| Blake Davis | 42.9% | 90.9% | 64.0% | 83.3% | 70.0% | 75.0% | 44.0% | 66.7% | 16.0% |
| Robert Andino | 27.9% | 57.7% | 42.1% | 67.3% | 88.2% | 81.0% | 47.8% | 61.1% | 8.1% |
| J.J Hardy | 26.2% | 52.5% | 39.7% | 77.1% | 92.6% | 87.6% | 51.3% | 59.9% | 4.8% |
| Mark Reynolds | 22.7% | 68.0% | 44.8% | 52.1% | 72.8% | 67.4% | 48.7% | 61.4% | 14.1% |
- O-Swing%: The percentage of pitches a batter swings at outside the strike zone.
- Z-Swing%: The percentage of pitches a batter swings at inside the strike zone.
- Swing%: The overall percentage of pitches a batter swings at.
- O-Contact%: The percentage of pitches a batter makes contact with outside the strike zone when swinging the bat.
- Z-Contact%: The percentage of pitches a batter makes contact with inside the strike zone when swinging the bat.
- Contact%: The overall percentage of a batter makes contact with when swinging the bat.
- Zone%: The overall percentage of pitches a batter sees inside the strike zone.
- F-Strike% – The percentage of first pitch strikes.
- SwgStr%: The percentage of pitches a batter swings and misses on.
When you look at this chart you will see who the average players are and the players who can become superstars.
O’s lose again in Toronto
When your team loses 15 straight to one team in their own ball park, you start to question if they are that bad or the other team just doesn’t match up that well. The O’s were losing 4 to 1 at the start of the 7th inning and it didn’t look good for them. Carlos Villanueva had retired 7 in a row prior to the start of the inning.
Luke Scott got the inning started by dropping down a bunt to beat the shift that got put on him. Mark Reynolds walked right after him. Jason Frasor for Toronto threw a wild pitch to set up 2nd and 3rd no one out. The Orioles ended up scoring two runs that on a Sac Fly and double. In the bottom of the 7th Aaron Hill hit a home run off Jeremy Accardo to make it 5 to 3.
In the 8th the Jays put Marc Rzepczynski in and he walked Vladimir Guerrero and then gave up a 2 run home run to Matt Wieters to tie the game at 5. When Felix Pie was stranded at third with 1 out in the 8th you had a feeling that run might cost the O’s.
Which it did Adam Lind eventually hit the walk off home run in the bottom of the 11th off Koji Uehara.
That makes it 15 straight losses at the Roger Centre, will it ever end?
Zach Britton Start Pushed Back
Since the Orioles are trying to limit the innings of Britton since he was projected to go 200 innings this season. You never want a rookie pitcher going that many innings in his first full season.
Many Baseball Insiders have labeled him the ace in the Orioles rotation going into the future. On the season he is 6 and 4 with a 3.18 ERA in 82 innings. He along with Michael Pineda and Jeremy Hellickson are the favorites to compete for the Rookie Of The Year Award.
His sinker might remind you of a Derek Lowe, but he throws it around 92-94. His command has been a little shaky so far walking 29 batters. With all of the question marks in the Orioles rotation it’s nice to have some kind of consistency in Britton.
Debut Game against the Rays
This is the Year the Orioles are above .500
The pieces have been put together quite nicely with the additions of Derrek Lee, Mark Reynolds, and JJ Hardy.
When the O’s traded for Mark Reynolds some people seemed to have hated the trade, because of the fact that he has struck out over 200 times in the National League. You could almost be certain by the end of the year if Reynolds has 30-40 homeruns and drives in 100+ RBI’s people will not care as much if he strikes out over 200 times.
Derrek Lee who has currently not played this spring is nursing an injured wrist and hopes to play sometime during this week. Lee would be a better upgrade from what the O’s had last year. In 2010 the Orioles had Jake Fox, Brandon Snyder, Ty Wigginton, and Garrett Atkins all played first base throughout the year. If Lee is not able to start the season with the team the Orioles could look at Luke Scott, Jake Fox, or even Joe Mahoney could start at first for them.
Ryan Adams could be the dark horse to make the team out of Spring Training, because of the Brian Roberts injury. The only problem with Adams is that he is an ok fielder and is very inconsistent at times. He has a career .933 fielding percentage between second base and short stop.
One pitcher who could be very beneficial with the hip injury to Justin Duchscherer is Zach Britton. Britton has a 0 ERA in 2 starts this spring. In the minors he had a 2.70 ERA in the 2010 season when he was with Double A Bowie Baysox and the Triple A team Norfolk Tides.
This team has the chance to compete this year with the players they have signed or traded for. In years past the team has not had very many veteran players on the team that had winning experience, but this year the Orioles have Derrek Lee who went to the playoffs with the Marlins, Cubs, and the Braves. Mark Reynolds was on the 2007 Arizona Diamond Backs playoff team.
Royals Vs Orioles Series Recap
This was a very interesting series to see, because both teams are not good and both have weaknesses on their team.
In game 1 of the series saw Brad Bergesen going up against Kyle Davies. It was a rough beginning for Bergesen, because before the game he had somewhat of a blister on his hand, but he was able to start the game. The Orioles offense made Davies look much better than what his record and ERA stand at, because the Orioles went 1 for 12 with RISP. Bergesen pitched quite well going 6 2/3 innings allowing 4 runs 3 earned, but a costly balk called by balking Bob Davidson scored a run from 3rd base. Garrett Atkins continues to be a black hole in terms of offense, because he still has no home runs and only 6 RBI so far. The deciding factor of the game came in the 9th inning when the Royals sent Closer Joakim Soria to get the save and the Orioles were able to get bases loaded with 1 out and scored 0 runs out of that.
In game 2 of the series saw the winless Kevin Millwood going against Zack Greinke. Both pitchers were rolling through the first 5 inning, but Millwood eventually had a mini melt down when he allowed 5 singles in 1 inning that scored 3 runs. The only blemish that Greinke had was the 2 home runs he allowed to Luke Scott, but he shut the Orioles down for 7 innings. Once again the Royals bull pen blows the game for Greinke when Blake Wood surrendered a game tying home run in the 8th inning to Corey Patterson. Alfredo Simon was able to work 2 scoreless innings to get the win in the bottom of 10th inning. Nick Markakis was once again able to prove why he is a very dangerous hitter when Bryan Bullington loaded the bases with 1 out he was able to hit a deep fly ball to center field to score Julio Lugo from 3rd base. The Orioles were only able to split the short two game series with the Royals, but this is the type of series that they were supposed to take both games, but that didn’t happen.
The Orioles play the Texas Rangers in the next series, and the Orioles will hopefully be able to show that they can compete with the first place teams or they can continue to lie-down to competitive teams.
Birdland South 