FanPost

Jimmy Paredes: The New Pearce, Markakis or Cruz?


In case you are wondering Jimmy Paredes is a baseball player. Well at least with the bat. Hence he fits the DH role quite well even in the small sample size. Doesn't it seem that there is an Oriole every year (in the last several) that seems to come out of know where with production? In 430 lifetime at bats, Paredes came into this season 5 home runs and now has 5 for the season (76 at bats). Again a small sample but for those watching his at bats thus far can't be too skeptical with glimpses of his power, patience and knowledge of what pitchers are trying to do.

So who does he remind you of at this point? Steve Pearce last year who exceeded expectations? A slight upgrade over Nick Markakis at this point of their careers?(dare I suggest) And even more bold to say that we would get kind of the production at the DH role as we did with Nelson Cruz last year? Ok that is stretch because Paredes won't hit 40 home runs and drive in 100 runs. However, since Spring training we have seen glimpses of consistently and a player who really wants to play every day and has shown thus far that he can spray the ball over the diamond. If he keeps this up Oriole fans will once again look forward to that sleeper in the lineup like they did last year with Steve Pearce.

His OPS will not remain over a thousand. His at bat per home run will most likely not remain at 15.2. He will not end up with a batting average over .350. However even after 76 at bats he is already at career highs in almost every offensive category. Its no longer spring training and Paredes has not let up (currently riding a 10 game hit streak). So even, after he inevitably cools down, it may be safe to assume that he is creating a name for himself.

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