My Team Grade by Position
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 3, 2009 1:26 PM EDT
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This does not include pitchers...............yet......
Catcher - Matt Wieters is the bright spot here. He is the #1 prospect in baseball and has done a decent job since he has been called up. He is batting .275, with three home runs, and 13 RBI’s. He has done a fine defensive job behind the plate. Wieters has been hitting right handed pitchers much better than he hits left handed pitchers, with a .318 batting average against right handers and only .215 against left handed pitchers. These numbers should both improve with experience as Wieters is expected to hit for a high average and great power. Greg Zaun has been great as a back up. During his time as the starter his batting average was .209, with one home run, and 3 RBI’s . His batting average since being the backup behind Wieters is batting .380, with three home runs, and 9 RBI’s. He seems to be much better suited for a backup role.
Overall - Wieters and Zaun have not been the greatest offensive catchers, but they have been great working with the Orioles young pitching staff and Wieters is improving.
Final Grade - C+, as a grade for the future I would put A as Wieters is one of the greatest catching prospects of all time.
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First Base - Coming off of a Silver Slugger Award from the DH position, this year has been a struggle for Aubrey Huff. He has not put up numbers anywhere near the ones he put up last season. Last season Huff put up great numbers, putting up a .304 average with thirty two home runs, and 108 RBI’s. This year Huff has a .253 average, with twelve home runs, and 64 RBI’s. His numbers this year are on pace for a .253 average, with nineteen home runs, and 102 RBI’s. Compared to last season Huff has not been doing as well. This could be due to age or maybe because last year he was the DH and this year he also has to play in the field at first as well. Wigginton has played first when Huff has not. Brandon Snyder could be an option next season if Huff does not resign.
Overall - The first base position as a whole this year has been a disappointment. With Huff in his last year of a three year deal, it will be interesting to see how the Orioles handle the situation of first base.
Final Grade - C
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Second Base - Brian Roberts has been well, Brian Roberts. He is batting .285, eight home runs, with 45 RBI’s. Along with that he has 20 stolen bases. He has the league lead in doubles with 37 of them. One area Roberts has really struggled in is Runners in Scoring Position 2 Outs, as he has an .095 average.
Overall - Roberts is doing what he has always done. Hit, steal bases, hit doubles, get into scoring position and score.
Final Grade - B
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Shortstop - Cesar Izturis has been doing exactly what the Orioles have signed him to do, play defense. Izturis has played defense and whatever offense he adds is a bonus. The Orioles struggled last season finding a solid player to play shortstop and Izturis has solidified the position this year. A shocking stat about Izturis is that he hits nearly 200 points higher at home (.346) than on the road (.161). Robert Andino is the primary backup and he has done an excellent job in the backup role. He does not put up amazing offensive numbers but he plays defense very well and has made some amazing plays.
Overall - Both play great defense and have done a great job for the Orioles. Andino has even had time as a starter while Izturis was on the DL.
Final Grade - C+
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Third Base - Melvin Mora, like Huff, has not put up the type of numbers like he did last year. He has not hit for the power he has in the past. Although his offense has dropped off, his defense has been good as usual. Mora expressed how he was unhappy and it will be interesting to see how everything plays out with him. Newly acquired Josh Bell could step in midseason 2010, maybe.
Overall - He is in the last year of his deal and most likely will not resign after this season.
Final Grade - C
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Left Field - Nolan Reimold has taken over the duties of left field and looks to be the left fielder of the future. He is batting .281, with ten home runs, and 29 RBI’s. Reimold is putting himself into contention for rookie of the year, and has already won rookie of the month in June. Felix Pie usually starts when Reimold gets a day off. Luke Scott has gotten a few starts here this season as well.
Overall - This position seems to be solidified by Reimold for seasons to come and is the last piece to an exciting young Orioles outfield.
Final Grade - B+
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Center Field - Adam Jones has shown great improvement this season. In only his second full season in the league, he made the All Star team and is batting .302 this season. He already has more home runs this season (18) than last season (9). Jones also has a rocket arm with seven outfield assists this year. Along with his assists he is a vacuum in center and plays very shallow taking away many short singles and making them outs. His speed allows him to play this way. Felix Pie has filled in here when Jones has been out.
Overall - Jones has been great this season and we should see even more improvement in the next few seasons. Jones came over in the Bedard trade and that trade looks to be shaping up well for the Orioles. Look for him to earn a Gold Glove in the future.
Final Grade - A-
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Right Field - Nick Markakis has been one of the bright spots on the Orioles this year. He has an MLB leading 11 outfield assists as of August 3. Markakis has hit very well against the Yankees this year batting .362, with five home runs, and 11 RBI’s. Markakis has been in the majors the longest of the other outfielders on the team and the other two seem to be starting their careers off as well as Markakis.
Overall - Markakis is having another great season, on par with his other seasons. Markakis should really feel left out for not being selected to the All Star game. Look for him to contend for a Gold Glove this year.
Final Grade - A-
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Team - The Orioles seem to have a bright future with pitching prospects Brad Bergesen and David Hernandez already showing they have what it takes to pitch in the big leagues. Top prospect Chirs Tilman made his MLB debut on July 29th. Brian Matusz set to debut Tuesday, and Jake Arrieta could come up next season. Those are only of the few bright spots in the Orioles farm system.
If you find any mistakes let me know.
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solid
good job. i think it’s a pretty accurate analysis of our woeful orioles. hopefully next year is not nearly as disappointing as this year
The O's will contend in 2010
by O's n Natty Bohs on Aug 3, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions
this is good
the only thing i dont get is the C+ at shortstop. shouldn’t that be a little higher considering that izturis/andino (whoever starts) gives us the best defense at short that we’ve had since mike bordick? plus izturis’ offense, even as weak as it is, has been an incredible upgrade over last year (andino is awful at the plate, but i’ll ignore it for right now).
True
I switched it to c+ right before I posted this. But I had it at B before.
Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out.
www.snaorioles.com
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 3, 2009 1:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If Mora is a C at 3rd
who is a D? and an F?
Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.
Good defense
I made him a C because of his defense and he is still a good hitter with risp
Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out.
www.snaorioles.com
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 3, 2009 2:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't think his defense is THAT good
to make up for his pathetic offense. I would have given him a D+ at best.
DUDE CAN BUNT?
dude can also try to pull everything he sees & ground out WEAKLY to brandon inge. the ONE time he doesn’t try to pull the ball last night, he hits a hard single up the middle.
I really was hoping that Trembley would have him sacrafice bunt last night (when the score was still close).
Melvin, thanks for all the time, but we can’t afford a veteran to whine & cry, especially in front of all this young talent. You are NOT being a good role model.
PLEASE -- JUST PLEASE THROW STRIKES.
The answer to D and F
is Cody Ransom
"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year
gotta be...
at least a c-, no? if we look at c as squarely average, memlo is about a couple ticks below.
"If they pitch to you, make them pay."
--Diamond Dave to the Phenom
by j.q. higgins on Aug 3, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
My grades
Nice work BTW. I can agree with most of it, but here’s my quick take.
C: B- (on the way to the high ceiling)
1B: C- (poor offense, avg defense = below average grade)
2B: B
SS: B (great defense, avg offense for the position)
3B: D+ (good defense, terrible offense, bad attitude)
LF: B+
CF: A-
RF: A-
"I don't like to be here and just thinking about in October I'm going to go on vacation " -- Melmo moaning about being benched when he's hitting .256/.321/.330
I would give Mora an F-
but I just have an irrational hate for Mora and he stinks in addition to that
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
I thought by the time you hit F
there were no minuses and pluses?
by John Stephens on Aug 4, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
There aren't
But I want to give him one anyways
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 4, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I like your assessment.
Just to compare, here are mine:
Catcher: B- (Zaun has brought his average up basically since becoming a backup catcher, he’s hit some nice HR’s. Wieters, well, what hasn’t been said?)
First Base: D+ (I love Huff, but when youre corner infielders or Huff and Mora can’t combine to put up the numbers that Albert Puljos is, its really a weakness. Defense is on par with what is expected of him)
Second Base: A- (BRob hit a rough patch at the plate and with the glove mid season, but he’s still great in both aspects of the game. 37 doubles, solid stolen base figures – most of his CS’s happened early on – and all around solid numbers on an otherwise listless team.
Short Stop: B+ Always willing to sacrifice a little offense here when you have a productive 2B like Roberts. Even then, how much offense have we “sacrificed” all around upgrade from the past few years defensively, and an upgrade from last year’s offensive productivity at the position. BOTH players are worth having.
Third Base: D, I’m sorry. And it has nothing to do with his tirade the past few days. 27RBI and 3 HR from a corner infielder is inexcusable. I love Melvin, I love that he loves the Baltimore Orioles and the city, I’m proud he’s made a career here. But the numbers just don’t cut it. Only salvation are some pretty clever defensive plays.
LF: B+ Reimold is really solid, Luke Scott is acceptable when he’s out there, and Felix “the cat” Pie (I did a little research and thats his nickname apparently) has gotten a little better. Outfield is in good shape.
CF: A-. Love Adam Jones, and he will probably keep getting better.
RF: A. Markakis has never hit for the power I’d expected him to. Maybe I was wrong for assuming he could hit 25 a year. But if you’re still hitting all those RBIs, doubles, and seemingly on pace for abt. 190 hits a year thats fine. Especially with the rifle he has defensively.
DH/Bench: A. Honestly, this is probably as good of a bench we’ve had in years. Pie has improved vastly from an awkward April/May, Salzaar, when we had him, was a clutch pinch hitter for those 2-3 weeks we were using him, Scott has been a solid DH providing power and average. Andino did his job and then some as a fill-in SS starter. Pretty much all these guys answered when Trembley called. The bench has been an asset.
Bench
I agree totally aboutthe bench it has been great for us pie and Zain have both been hitting much better since they have been on the bench. Andino is great and wiggington is great to if you still consider him the backup
Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out.
www.snaorioles.com
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 3, 2009 7:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I meant Zaun not Zain
Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out.
www.snaorioles.com
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 3, 2009 7:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wait a minute...
So, we’re a A or B at EVERY position except 1B and 3B?
So why are we almost 20 games out of 1st place?
SSeems to me there’s a lot of grading on a curve going on…
"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail
I for incomplete
its really hard to grade pitchers when like half of them dont make it thru the whole season (rich hill, adam eaton, koji uehara, chris ray, dennis sarfate) and the other half didnt start witht the team (matusz, tillman, berken, bergesen, mickolio)
oh and one traded (sherrill)
I was answering Duck
because he asked how we are doing so bad when we got such high grades in almost everything. Pitching could be the answer. Or bad management.
by John Stephens on Aug 4, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
I think it is the pitching, but….
It is intersting how the orioles are tenth in the AL in runs, but 3rd in batting average and 4th in total hits. I also think if our pitching was better maybe the offense would pick up a bit more, because they would feel they have a better chance to win everyday. For example in the games that a rookie has made their debut this year the Orioles are 5-0…just a thought
Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out.
www.snaorioles.com
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 4, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats probably because of bad management
There were a lot of line-ups that had most people thinking “uhhhh what the fuck?” Like when Mora was constantly in the 5 slot. When Mora was batting before Scott when he was absolutely on fire. Or it could be that most of our hitters have been streaky this year, and never at the same time.
I think we have seen some more runs lately because of better line-up layouts and Mora being on the bench. I love our line-up right now with Robets, Reimold, Jones, Nick, Huff (assuming he stays warm).
by John Stephens on Aug 4, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Definitley
I like reimold batting two because I think jones is better in the 3 slot and markakis is better in the 4
Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out.
www.snaorioles.com
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 4, 2009 4:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
More team
I think it is more playing like a team than playing by position…we have good players at positions they just cant play well as a team
Hey guys, I have an Orioles blog so check it out.
www.snaorioles.com
by Jordan Tuwiner on Aug 4, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
ummm
I hate to say it but baseball does not have too much “teamwork” and therefore playing as a team isn’t that important. Its more just that our pitching has been awful, 28th worst in ERA awful. Our starters have been last in IP and ERA this year. I would say there is room for improvement in the starting rotation and that will help us more than playing like a team, whatever that means in baseball.
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 4, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Baseball doesn't have TEAMWORK? Are you kidding?!? So there is no communication going on during field-time, no catcher-pitcher relationship, all that jazz, really?
"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.
Relatively I would say no
These guys are professionals and they know their responsibilities and the responsibilities of other players, thus making it predictable what a player that they have not have played with is going to do. Teamwork for 7 of the 9 players (non-pitcher/catcher) is based on individuals pull their own weight and knowing where they are supposed to be. A good pitcher generally has a plan of attack and knows his own strengths and weaknesses. A catcher can assist the pitcher some which is why I did not say that there is no “teamwork” involved. Although there has been no statistical correlation found of a catchers impact on the pitchers performance. In the end I think that if a catcher makes it to the major leagues then he is good enough to call a good game and the difference between the best and the worst has minimal effect on the game.
Players are traded and can seamlessly transition from team to team (disregarding hitting) without having to develop chemistry like in basketball or football before they are completely effective. That says to me that “teamwork” is minimal. Feel free to disagree just please explain why you feel differently.
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 4, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I see your point in that each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses and relies upon themselves to succeed.
However, take a shortstop. The best shortstop in the game won’t get anyone out on a grounder by himself. He needs the help of his teammates. Almost all groundball outs require teammates working together. Sure, it’s just a throw to a catch, but that’s still something. On fly balls, teammates communicate, call each other off, etc. Pick-offs, relays… I guess what I’m trying to say is if you didn’t let the guys speak at all during the game or interact with anyone else the game wouldn’t go anywhere. I’m not saying it’s like your average rectangle-with-a-goal-on-each-end teamwork, where they are constantly interacting and whatnot. Yes, baseball has moments where it’s all about the one guy. But it’s also got moments where two guys turn one of the most awesome double plays you’ll see. As for the catcher-pitcher, I’d say the catcher has quite a bit to do with a pitchers performance. Yes, the pitcher is going out there with an idea of what he’s gonna do and yes, he’s the one doing the actual throwing of the ball down the plate, but the catcher definitely helps the guy out.
As for your basketball/football statement, I don’t know if I agree with it. Maybe it’s just because I really don’t care all that much about any sports other than baseball. But from what I understand, guys in those sports are traded quite often as well. And maybe I just really dislike basketball, but I don’t think you need to develop a bond and chemistry with a bunch of guys in order to dribble a ball down a court. I feel like that sort of thing is more a part of the actual game itself, not the team. I mean, of course, teams have strategies, but it can’t be all that difficult to simply learn a new course.
I respect your opinion, I just don’t know if I agree with your statement that baseball “does not have too much "teamwork"”. Sure, you could make your case that other sports require more teamwork, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say that baseball requires a minimal amount of teamwork.
"He's a gazelle." -Adam Jones on Nolan Reimold.
players working together on a play and teamwork are not the same in my opinion
The main difference is that teamwork requires subjective judgment on what the other player on your team will do. For example, when turning a double play, the second baseman should know to cover 2nd if it is hit to short. If he doesn’t do that I consider it bad defense rather than bad teamwork (since it was a product of him not fulfilling his role).So i guess I would chalk it up to bad defense before I would consider something a product of bad teamwork.
As for basketball, it takes a lot more teamwork because there is not a best thing that each player should be doing at every moment. In baseball if you are going to cover for a steal you can look over and tell the other player that you are covering, in basketball you cant say, yo hit me on this backdoor cut and expect it to work. You have to just know that your teammate will know you are going to make that cut and that he will get you the ball. Look at the teams that have won the NBA finals and most of them have had a core together for several years. Lakers this year, Celtics last year were the exception (they brought in 2 of the smartest players possible which made the transition smooth). The Spurs, Lakers and Pistons are great examples of how the sum of the parts is greater than all the parts individually. While plays are important in basketball, knowing what your teammates strengths are and what they will do is crucial to playing well with them and that takes a lot of time playing with them.
I understand why you feel the way you do, and i guess we will agree to disagree. But I will leave you with one question, if another baseball league challenged MLB to put their best players against this leagues best players for a 7 game series. Do you choose all the best players or do you think about trying to get guys who have played together before? I know i’m taking the best 25 players possible because they dont need much time to adjust to each other.
"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law
by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 5, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
There are a lot more team plays in baseball that people realize
from pickoff plays, to bunt defense, to suicide squeezes, to cutoffs on balls in the OF, to simply making sure everybody is on the same page on defense
Still doesn’t change the fact that the backbone of the sport is still batter vs. pitcher one on one.
Shortstop --- B+???????????
What would Cal get if made a comeback? Or even during his ’83 or ’92 MVP seasons? — not much higher than a B+.
I understand that Isturis & Andino are H-U-G-E upgrades from the Bynum-Fahy-Castro-Hernandez-Cintron-Torres debacle of 2008, but a B+ ???
You are a lot more accurate with your 3B grade.
LF – Reimold is on his way, but doesn’t get THAT high of a grade until he LOCKS-UP the Rookie of the Year
- just my opinion, as is yours - good job
PLEASE -- JUST PLEASE THROW STRIKES.
Mora's a D
his defense prevents him from being an F.
I also don’t see how both Jones and Markakis get the same grade for this year. For next year and beyond I like them both plenty, but Markakis’ power numbers just haven’t been there (Markakis SLG% is down 25 points from last year, OBP down 53!).
Librarians are hiding something
Reimold
I think the juries still out on Reimold, at one point people thought he might be a career minor leaguer and now hes doing great for us. Still, we have to see how he will do in a full season.
by No More Steroids Please on Aug 5, 2009 4:51 AM EDT reply actions
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