Purple Row's Take on Garrett Atkins

by Stacey on Jan 5, 2010 3:00 PM EST in Blog Spotlight

Whether you like it, hate it, or are apathetic, Garrett Atkins is an Oriole. We've all heard about Atkins' decline, but honestly I don't know that much about his career. He's only played in the National League, and out west at that, so I've never had much exposure to him. In an effort to hear from someone who actually watched him play, I reached out to Russ Oates at Purple Row and asked him a few questions about our new acquisition.

1. The Orioles went after Garrett Atkins as soon as he was non-tendered, and after he signed the Baltimore Sun wrote that, "[t]he Orioles did plenty of research on Atkins, including a study on how the Rockies' hitters-friendly ballpark, Coors Field, affects different players," and Andy MacPhail was quoted as saying, "The fact that we were aggressive as we were in terms of the timing and trying to get it done reflects our level of confidence" in Atkins." Do you think Atkins has a chance to turn it around at the plate, or does his three year decline indicate that he's completely cooked?

Orioles fans need to hope that 2009 was the bottom of the pit for Atkins. With Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder (who play the positions Atkins can) probably half a season away from the majors, Atkins will need to rebound if he hopes to last in the majors for a few more years. The loss of power is very alarming, and if he doesn't find his stroke again it won't be long until he starts riding the bench in favor of younger talent. The confidence O's management has shown might help Atkins since he played the end of the season knowing he wasn't coming back.

2. Atkins has been rated below average defensively at both 1B and 3B, although he's logged a lot more time at 3B. Right now it's up in the air as to which position he'll play for the Orioles. Which position should we hope he ends up playing? Does it matter?

Atkins played first base in college, but any first baseman drafted by the Rockies would need to move to a different position with Todd Helton entrenched there. Atkins has come along way with how he's handled the hot corner, but he's serviceable at best there. His limited playing time at first with the Rockies came because Todd Helton started to receive more rest. Atkins will surprise you every so often with a nice play at third, but Brooks Robinson he ain't.

3. For those of us who like to know almost as much about our players personalities as we do their skills, what can you tell us about Atkins as a person/teammate, etc.?

Atkins stayed with the Holliday family during Spring Training and was a babysitter for Matt's children.

4. Anything else you think the Orioles fans should know about their new corner infielder?

He once hit an inside-the-park home run at Petco Park, something thought impossible. Also, he was Chase Utley's roommate while the two were at UCLA. Oh, and check out the box score for the 29 April 2008 game against the Giants.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

You should have asked

for a picture of their “talented” sideline reporter from a couple of seasons ago. She put Mamber to shame.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Jan 5, 2010 3:21 PM EST reply actions

she put a lot women to shame.

Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.

by birdman on Jan 5, 2010 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

What's significant about the game against the Giants?

Was it Atkins playing 2b? Does anyone know why that happened?

by Trebuchet on Jan 5, 2010 4:14 PM EST reply actions

I was getting the OCD shakes trying to figure it out

I think the 3B/2B thing is right. Or maybe Atkins being part of two double plays at two different positions?

by PhilR8 on Jan 5, 2010 4:19 PM EST up reply actions

I think that has to be it

the 2B thing.

by Stacey on Jan 5, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not sure that information was really worth including

I mean, I think Ty Wigginton playing second base is much more impressive

by Trebuchet on Jan 5, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Mora’s agent, Eric Goldschmidt, says his client is looking for a team that will contend and “maybe give him 300-something at-bats.” Mora, 38 in February, hit .260/.321/.358 in 496 plate appearances this year for the Orioles while playing 1,050 innings at third base.

What up?

by snakethejake on Jan 5, 2010 6:58 PM EST reply actions

As an Oriole fan who lives in Colorado....

I’m not too thrilled about Atkins becoming an O. His defense is horrible. I was shocked when I read that he hit an inside the park HR last year— he’s not that fast at all. And let’s not kid ourselves about his versatility in the infield. Yes, he’s played just about every infield position, but only because the Rockies have had issues at 2B and have resorted to making their infield a veritable carousel. Back when Hurdle was filling in scorecards, the Rockies started their first 37 games with 32 different lineups. In short, Atkins played 2B, but not because he was a good fit there… the Rox were simply desperate.
Rockies fans were thrilled last year when Ian Stewart became a viable alternative to Atkins. Atkins had totally tanked. He turned it up a little toward the end of the year, but I remember there being some very serious discussion about him doing some time in Colorado Springs. Even cutting him.

Around the trade deadline last year, the Rox shopped him around like crazy. Nobody bit.

Atkins is REALLY streaky. He’ll have his moments. Heck, if he’s true to form, he’ll at least have a good month or so somewhere in there; but I think we’ll all be ready for him to hit the road when Bell and Snyder are ready. I also hope that Wiggy stays healthy, because there will be people here on Camden Chat who will be calling for Atkins’ head come June. Just a prediction.

by Rube on Jan 5, 2010 8:56 PM EST reply actions