In this 12-part series, we will examine the current organizational depth of the Baltimore Orioles on a position-by-position basis. For each of the eight positions we’ll take a look at the top 3 players on the 40-man roster, as well as the top 2 minor leaguers that we expect to eventually compete for a spot on the 40-man at that position. Our examination of the pitchers will include a look at the top 8 starting pitchers on the 40-man, the top 8 relief pitchers on the 40-man, the top 5 minor leaguer pitchers we project as starters and the top 5 minor league pitchers we project as relief pitchers. Part 3 looks at the Orioles's center fielders.
Adam Jones (above) gives Baltimore a second legitimate five-tooler patrolling the outfield at Camden Yards.
Adam Jones was considered by many to be the centerpiece to the five-for-one trade that sent Eric Bedard to the Seattle Mariners. Jones is a legitimate five-tool center fielder that projects to play in an All-Star game or two at some point. Though Baltimore does not figure to replace Jones anytime soon, the farm system contains a couple of interesting prospects, including Jeff Fiorentino (AAA Norfolk) and Matt Angle (LoA Delmarva). On the big club, Jay Payton gives an adequate defensive replacement when Jones needs a rest, and Luis Montanez will do in a pinch. Ultimately, Adam Jones makes center field an easy position for Baltimore to figure out for the foreseeable future. This is no insignificant matter for an organization lacking in positional depth. Together with Wieters and Nick Markakis, Jones gives the Orioles one-third of a playoff-caliber defense and the foundation for a formidable offense.
Adam Jones (Baltimore, 40-man)
6-2 / 210 | B/T - R/R | Born - 08/01/85 A former Baseball America Top 10 Minor League prospect and the star of the Eric Bedard trade, Jones immediately brought some excitement to the Orioles outfield in 2008. Throughout the summer, Jones enjoyed his first season as a starter, making most of the difficult plays and a handful of incredible plays for good measure. With plus-speed and solid reads off of the bat, he was able to step-in and provide above-average defense in a sometimes challenging Camden Yards center field. Jones also boasts a plus-arm with solid accuracy. With Nick Markakis in right field, Baltimore has the makings of one the better young, defensive outfields in all of baseball.
Offensively, Jones is still a mixed bag. He has the frame and the strength to be a true plus-power hitter, though his inability to consistently put the ball in play may limit his ceiling. He doesn’t walk enough, and sometimes struggles with pitch-ID and command of the strike zone. He probably fits best as a number 6-hitter with 20-25 homeruns in his bat, though there is a bit more upside buried here that he could potentially tap into. At 23, he’s still young enough to improve his approach at the plate, which could be the difference between Jones becoming a solid-regular or a perennial All-Star candidate.
Jay Payton (Baltimore, 40-man)
5-10 / 205 | B/T - R/R | Born - 11/22/72 Though Payton doesn’t currently profile as an everyday center fielder, his defense is still adequate. He has all of the instincts and abilities you’d expect from a ten-year veteran. He gets very good reads on batted balls and takes solid routes. His speed is adequate, though his arm is a little light for center.
Offensively, Payton’s best days have passed him by. 2006 was the last season where it could be argued that his bat was good enough to merit a starting role in centerfield. 2003 was the last time he could pass as a corner outfielder. He has lost some ticks on his bat speed, and the ball is a little flat off of his bat (even when he squares-up on it). He has a professional approach at the plate, but it’s unlikely he’ll ever hit for a decent average again, and his power is below-average at this point. While he’s an adequate defensive sub, his bat likely leaves too much on the table for him to be anything more than a 5th outfielder on an average team. We project a line of 234/279/334. Baltimore could do worse than a 25th man capable of filling-in left field or center field, but it probably makes sense to explore other options. Payton will be a free agent this off-season.
Luis Montanez (Baltimore, 40-man) 6-2 / 200 | B/T - R/R | Born - 12/15/81
After winning the Eastern League triple-crown with AA Bowie, Montanez made his first Major League appearance during a late-season call-up to the Orioles. His game transfered well to the big leagues as his MLE at Bowie (293/328/499) was similar to his actual line in Baltimore (295/316/446). Over 38 games, Montanez held his own at the plate, showing an adequate approach and occasional pop when he squared-up on the ball. He struggled with pitch-ID, and doesn’t make consistent enough contact to utilize his above-average raw power. He isn’t young (turning 27 this December) and his ceiling probably isn’t much higher than we saw in 2008. Montanez’s swing can get long, and he’ll probably always struggle against good off-speed offerings. He’s a solid fastball hitter with the raw-power to hit mistakes out of any part of the park.
Defensively, Montanez has the tool set to handle any of the three positions, though he profiles best as a corner outfielder. He doesn’t take great routes and his foot speed is merely average, limiting his usefulness in center field. His arm is adequate, but he often times struggles to get himself into good position to get rid of the ball quickly and with authority. Ideally, Montanez profiles as a bat-first 4th outfielder capable of filling-in at all three outfield spots. He’s also athletic enough to play in the infield in a pinch, though it’s worth noting he was moved off of shortstop while in the Cubs system due to defensive struggles.
Jeff Fiorentino (AAA Norfolk, 40-man) 6-1 / 185 | B/T - L/R | Born - 04/14/83
After being rushed to the Majors from HiA back in 2005, Fiorentino has struggled to get his career back on track. Offensively, he has an interesting set of tools, including average power when he’s running well. His strength is in his hands, and he does a good job of consistently getting the bat to the ball. Fio is capable of using the whole field, though he’ll fall into ruts wherein he tries to hard to pull the ball. His 2008 MLE from Norfolk (250/332/330) was unspectacular. His contact rate was the same along with increased on-base performance. Unfortunately, his power dropped significantly. He’ll need to develop both of those skills to see any meaningful time in the majors, even as a backup.
Defensively, Fiorentino is a great package of speed, athleticism and average arm strength. He can adequately hold-down any outfield position at the Major League level, and has a solid approach including reads, routes and decision-making. Like Montanez, Fiorentino profiles best as a 4th outfielder. Depending on off-season moves, Baltimore may have to decide whether or not there is room to carry both Montanez and Fio on the 40-man. If that is the case, Fiorentino appears to be the odd man out based on him being let go last year and his lack of successful offensive experience at AAA or above. At 25, he still has a shot, but it seems more likely it will be with another organization.
Matt Angle (LoA Delmarva, South Atlantic League) 5-10 / 175 | B/T - L/R | Born - 09/10/85
Angle has the makings of a future Major League center fielder and lead-off hitter. Offensively, Angle brings a professional approach to the plate, including plus-command of the strike zone and above-average bat control. He sprays the ball to all fields and has occasional gap-to-gap power. Angle knows his game and excels as a slap hitter with the ability to both bunt for a base hit and drive a mistake to all fields. On the bases, he has good speed coupled with solid instincts, leading to a MiL career stolen base success rate of 83%. He was a little overmatched at times in Delmarva, so it will be interesting to see if his bat continues to play as he moves up the organizational ladder.
Angle is a legitimate center fielder, utilizing his above-average speed to cover gap-to-gap. He also takes solid routes and shows a solid arm for center field. He should have no trouble staying in center as he progresses. Ultimately, Angle’s future will be determined by his bat. His speed and defense should allow him to carve out some sort of Major League career as at least a 5th outfielder. If he can continue to get on base and set the table, he could develop into an every day center fielder.
