Orioles Start Their Defense Of The AL East Crown - Your 2015 Orioles Preview Part 1- The Infield and Outfield
Finally it’s here, Opening Day. The O’s were awesome last year- 96 wins, first division title since ’97, and tons of fun to watch. Couldn’t finish the job and ran into a hot Royals team, (still don’t think they were the better team.) but that’s baseball for you. They lost some big names this offseason (Cruz, Markakis, Miller,) and it won’t be easy, but I believe this team has enough to replace what they lost. They’re still going to do what they’ve done over the last few seasons- hit home runs, play amazing D, and win. That’s just what they do. BUCKle up guys, there’s a great 2015 season ahead.
Infield
Matt Wieters will be the everyday catcher when healthy, but until then, Caleb Joseph, come on down. Even after Wieters is back healthy, Joseph will see more than average games for a backup, as they want to keep Wiets healthy and both guys call a great game and play great defense. Wieters hopefully can pick up where his bat left off last year, as he was having a career year at the dish until TJ surgery. I’m confident Joseph can hold down the fort till Wiets is back.
Chris Davis will sit out today’s game, but return tomorrow and be the primary first baseman. Davis had a terrible year last year, no way around it, has to be better this year, he can’t possibly bat under .200 again, can he? He has an exemption to take Vyvanse this season, which will help him probably more than we know. Plus, it’s a contract year. That usually seems to boost stats justttt a little bit. I think Crush has a year more like his 2012 season, hitting around .260 with 33 HR.
Jonathan Schoop is the future at second, plain and simple. Kid is 23, HUGE, and is only getting better. 16 homers last year as a rookie, has a cannon for a right arm, and turns the double plays with the best of them. He just has to learn patience at the plate, can’t have him hitting under .210 again. Schoop could end up around 22-23 home runs if he gets the majority of the starts. Utility guys Ryan Flatherty and Everth Cabrera will probably bounce around the infield as well. Cabrera, a former all-star, was signed to provide infield depth and speed on the base paths. Flaherty can play pretty much any position and should also see time in the field.
Third base belongs to (a finally healthy) Manny Machado. He was heating up last year before he went down. Hopefully those knee injuries are in the past, and the former Platinum Glove award winner can capitalize on having a full spring training and show us what we’ve seen flashes of. I expect HUGE things from Manny this year, Gold Glove, All-Star, walking on water, all of it. Projecting him for .260-.270, 25 home runs, 20 steals, 162 web gems. I’m just so excited to watch Manny.
J.J. Hardy will be at short once healthy, which should be in a week or two. Hardy suffered a power outage last season due to injuries, only hitting nine homers. He will continue to play Gold Glove defense, and should rebound at the plate. .270/17 homers for J.J. this season. He signed an extension to stay in Baltimore in the offseason, and I’m glad. He’s really became a fan favorite, and a leader on and off the field.
Outfield
Will be strange not seeing Nick Markakis patrolling right for the Birds as he had done every year since 2006, but he moved on so we should too.
Everyone knows Adam Jones will be in center for the Birds, if any player on the Orioles deserves a “C” on his chest, it’s Jonesy. Best player on the team, face of the franchise, Gold Glover, All-Star, guy does it all. Shows up to the park everyday, blows bubbles, hits dongs, and makes spectacular catches. Jones has played in over 150 games, hit over .280, and hit over 25 home runs for the last three years, and will make it four this year. Jones will take home his fifth Gold Glove, make yet another appearance in the All-Star game, and be top-5 in MVP voting. Consistently one of the best players in the league. And vastly underrated. I wish more people watched him play every day and just respected what he quietly does.
Corner outfield spots will look strange this year. Expect a platoon on David Lough, Travis Snider, Alejandro De Aza, and Steave Pearce to man the corner spots until someone steps up and demands to get the starts. Delmon Young will slip in there at times too. Pearce had his breakout year last year, and should continue to mash, and he will also see time at first. I can see Pearce reaching the 20 home run mark. Travis Snider is an intriguing player. Started slow last year with the Pirates, but rebounded in the second half and hit .288 with 9 home runs. The guy has pop and can play the field, I’m hoping for good things out of the new guy. Would be the steal of the offseason if he can play up to his potential.
I’m expecting big things from WhiteSox Dave’s favorite player, De Aza. He looked good after coming over in the trade last season, and should only get better. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him put up anywhere from 15-20 homers, and play some solid defense in left. He could be the Pearce of this season. David Lough is sort of the forgotten man, had a better last few months, but couldn’t stay healthy in Spring Training, I’m kind of over him. Delmon Young will see more ABs in the DH spot and will continue to feast on lefty pitching. He won’t make up for Nelson Cruz’s 40 dingers, but the guys coming off suspension/injuries should easily replace the numbers lost.
Split this piece into two parts, go read about the starting pitchers, bullpen, and the big guy in charge.