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 2 focuses on the Orioles second basemen.
The Orioles will decide this off-season whether or not to try and extend Brian Roberts (above).
Second base makes up one-half of the Orioles’s thinnest area – middle-infield. Fortunately, at the top of the depth chart is one of the better second-basemen in the game, 2-time All-Star Brian Roberts. Behind Roberts on the 40-man is an interchangeable group of utility infielders. Down on the farm, Baltimore has begun to address the issue of depth, adding middle-infielders with two of the first five picks in this year’s Rule 4 amateur draft (LJ Hoes and Greg Miclat). Baltimore was also treated to a solid offensive season from 2006 2nd-rounder Ryan Adams (LoA Delmarva). With Roberts only signed through next year, the Orioles will have to decide this off-season whether to try to extend his contract or to move him to another team for a package of players that can continue to fill holes at the Major League level. If it’s the later, a new hole will be created at second base, as there is not currently a Major League option in the system that would be suitable as an everyday player, outside of Roberts.
Brian Roberts (Baltimore, 40-man) 5-9 / 175 | B/T - B/R | Born - 10/09/77
Roberts was once again one of the Orioles’s top performers, and was among the top second basemen in baseball. Though history tells us Roberts’s best defensive days are likely behind him, he is still a plus-defender at second. He ranges well to both sides and charges the ball well. Around the bag he is smooth and confident, turning the front-end of the double play as well as anyone. He has a solid arm for second base and is capable of making the throws to second and first from all over the right side of the infield, due to his above-average footwork.
At the plate Roberts has an above-average approach and shows an advanced command of the strike zone. He is an above-average hitter with gap-to-gap power resulting in 40 or more doubles in four of the last five seasons. We project Roberts to continue on pace for another 40 double season in 2009 with a line of 285/363/431. In addition to his hitting ability, Roberts is also blessed with speed and a keen sense on the base paths. He was a prolific base-stealer in college – a talent that has followed him through his professional career, as well. Always a threat to double, Roberts can just as easily steal himself into scoring position. A team leader, a plus-defender at a premium position and an offensive spark at the top of the order, there is an argument to be made that "B-Rob" is the most valuable position player in the organization.
Alex Cintron (Baltimore, 40-man) 6-1 / 205 | B/T - B/R | Born - 12/17/78
Cintron will be a free agent heading into this off-season. The Orioles will have to decide whether or not his value as a utility player is worth a new deal. Defensively, he has a fringe-above-average arm that plays all over the infield. His range is fringy, particularly up-the-middle, making him a better candidate to fill in around the infield rather than man second as an everyday player. His footwork is adequate around the bag.
Cintron’s best offensive tool is his hands. He excels at putting the bat on the ball and is one of the more difficult strikeouts on the team. His poor plate discipline, however, combined with his hands tends to lead to a lot of bad balls being put into play. Further, he struggles to square-up consistently, partially due to his tendencies to hit balls outside of the strike zone. When he does square-up, there is a little bit of pop in his bat. He does so with enough irregularity that for all intents and purposes he rates out as below-average in power. While neither his bat nor his defense is strong enough to play as an everyday guy, Cintron is useful as a utility player that can play all infield positions and even left field, in a pinch.
Fahey is a better defensive player than he showed this season. Historically an above-average fielder, there is no doubt that the constant battle with Luis Hernandez for the designation of starting shortstop at the beginning of the season took its toll on Fahey, mentally. He seemed unsure in the field, rushed his throws and struggled with his footwork in setting himself up for his throws. At second, Fahey has adequate range up the middle, and ranges well to his glove-hand side. He is adequate around the bag, though he struggles at times with his pivots.
Fahey will never be known as an offensive player. In fact, it’s unlikely he’ll ever hit enough to hold down an everyday role. His bat speed is average, but his approach is below-average. He struggles to square-up on breaking balls and often times appears to approach his at bats with a defensive mentality, rather than attacking the pitcher with a plan. His power is non-existent and he does a poor job of using the entire field. He has a well below-average command of the strike zone and poor plate discipline – a tough combo to overcome. Fahey fills a similar role to Cintron, capable of filling in around the infield and in left field in a pinch. He is well behind Cintron, offensively.
Ryan Adams (LoA Delmarva, South Atlantic League) 6-0 / 195 | B/T - R/R | Born - 04/21/87
Adams profiles as an offense-first second-baseman, and he took a huge step forward this season at LoA Delmarva. Relying on quick hands and strong wrists, Adams has gap-to-gap power that has begun to translate into occasional homerun power. Given his excellent hand-eye coordination, Adams still strikes out way too much. He needs to improve his approach and his pitch-ID, in particular. He’ll likely get a good challenge at HiA Frederick next year, where he’ll start to face more advanced pitching. If he continues to hit, he could move quickly.
Adams’ season on the defensive side of the field cannot be described as anything short of a disaster. At second base, he recorded an error at a rate of once every other game, with most of them coming on throws. His range is adequate to each side but he does not set himself up well for his throws. He needs to improve on getting his feet under him and putting himself in position to make good throws. The Orioles know Adams will never be a plus-defender, but the hope is that he can improve enough to be average. If he can do that, he’ll move through the system as quickly as his bat will take him.
Perhaps the most peculiar aspect of Adams’ play this year has been his home/road splits. Delmarva is known to suppress hitting somewhat, but what we see in these numbers seems to be more a product of luck more than anything. Adams’ season line of 303/358/457 splits as 221/274/313 at home and 374/429/584 on the road. What explains this? He had a .293 BABIP at home (which is a shade below his career average BABIP of .304) and a .455 BABIP on the road. It is a fairly safe assumption that dropping half of your batted balls for base hits is not sustainable. Expect performance to regress going into next year as he is promoted to Frederick as his home line is quite similar to his Aberdeen marks, but it should be noted that his power is more developed and should continue to do so slightly.
Hoes is above-average in all aspects of his game. A legit five-tooler, the 2008 3rd-rounder shifted from outfield to second base after being sent to the Orioles’s Gulf Coast affiliate. He impressed his coaching staff with his work ethic and quick progress at the four-spot. In time, the Orioles believe he will develop into an average defensive second-baseman, though his calling card will undoubtedly be his bat. He is a good athlete with exceptional body control, which has aided him in his work at second. He has a plus-arm that can play anywhere on the diamond, though his bat will likely play best where he is – at second.
Offensively, Hoes has the making of a potential number two hitter with above-average power generated from quick wrists. He has a solid approach at the plate and already shows an advanced command of the strike zone. He has a compact swing and is very quick to the ball. His above-average bat speed affords him the luxury of letting the ball get deep on him before beginning his swing. His frame is close to filled, but there is still some room to add strength, which could bump his power potential a notch. He’ll work to improve his stride, as he starts with a closed stance and occasionally steps into the bucket as he starts his swing. Hoes is certainly one to keep an eye on, and he has the work ethic and tool set to move quickly through the system.
