I was looking over the trends of the batters in the current Oriole lineup and their main strengths and weaknesses lend them to certain spots in the order. Here is a look at the lineup order with how and why each player fits there. I have also included a couple tidbits on some of the players pointing out some statistical curiosities.
1. 2B Brian Roberts-Switch- This is an obvious choice but for the Orioles and Roberts to be successful he needs to stay healthy. When Roberts gets in 150 games or more he is guarantee to get 40 doubles, 29 stolen bases and 100 runs. The 100 runs are quite impressive considering the Orioles lineup hasn’t exactly been amazing since Roberts took over the leadoff duties.
2. RF Nick Markakis-L- Markakis raked batting 2nd last year. His batting average in the two hole was .316 with an on bas percentage of .373 and a slugging of .498. His stats projected out to 106 runs, 42 doubles and 84 RBI from that spot had he played there all season.
3. CF Adam Jones-R- Most people aren’t sold on Adam Jones for the three spot in the order, well I am. Last year from June on he hit .302 with a .352 OBP and .475 slugging. Put those stats in the middle of a lineup and he will dwarf any of his previous career highs. While it seems like he’s been around forever, he is still only 25 and Adam Jones is primed to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him.
4. DH Luke Scott-L- Take a break Luke. I know Luke loves to speak his mind AND play the field but he maybe he should scale back on both. As a DH last year he batted .300 with a .382 OBP and .573 SLG. Buck Showalter can’t control Luke’s freedom of speech, but he can control the lineup card.
5. 3B Mark Reynolds-R- Mark Reynolds excels when men are on base and this might be the only spot in the lineup that will guarantee the most opportunities while not leaving the lineup completely vulnerable to his lofty strikeout totals. When men were on base in 2010, Reynolds batted .257 with a slugging percentage of .553. The more intriguing figure is the fact that his strikeout rate was 30% with men on base as opposed to a strikeout rate of 40% with nobody on. Someone please tell the “Sheriff” that you can’t hit a three run bomb with nobody on.
6. C Matt Wieters-S- Batting sixth should help take some of the pressure off and he has a small track record of success there. Last year he batted .325 when hitting sixth with a .476 slugging percentage. Matt also needs to get the ball in the air. He had a 34% ground ball rate in 2010 and it is not like a catcher is going to leg out a bunch of infield singles. Get the ball up Matt.
7. SS JJ Hardy-R- I am sure JJ would love to bat 2nd but with his health history, having played over 150 games once in six years, you would hate to have to change your number two hitter on a constant basis. His career line of .264 with a .401 slugging percentage from the seven slot are right in line with his career totals and are still much more productive than an everyday Cesar Izturis.
8. 1B Josh Bell-S- Remember him? Well maybe the Orioles remember him as well and that is why they haven’t committed to LaRoche on a long term deal yet. I like his switch hitting bat and his power potential. He hasn’t played much first at all (one game in the minors) but it’s not like he was a fielding master at the hot corner with a career .902 fielding percentage in the minors. Maybe a switch to first will help the 24 year old relax a bit and aid in his development at the plate with more time in the cage and less time getting eaten up at fielding practice. His career minor league line of a .287 average with a .478 slugging percentage still has time to transfer so they should still give him a chance.
- LF Felix Pie-L/Nolan Reimold-R- Okay, I understand this isn’t fair to pick two guys for the same position, but don’t act like Buck Showalter isn’t going to work a matchup now and then. Pie, 26, and Reimold, 27, are both decent outfielders that bring different and important contributions to the team. They can go lefty-righty matchup with them or use Pie’s speed late in a game to get on base to start a rally or Reimold’s potential power to make a one or two run deficit seem not so insurmountable in the ninth inning with your number nine hitter up. I like Pie a little better as far as a full time option is concerned and you have to like that fire he showed in the winter league temper tantrum he threw.
The Oriole lineup isn’t going to scare the bejesus out of anyone but it might just be deep and balanced enough to let all the younger players develop without feeling as if they have to do everything themselves. Plus, as long as Mark Reynolds is in town, these youngsters don’t have to worry about setting any strikeout records.
Well, there’s the lineup Buck. You can thank me when I come by the dugout on April 4th. I will be the guy wearing the shirt that will say, “I shot the Sheriff” on the front and on the back it will say, “because he actually hit the ball and I wasn’t looking.”