MLB Team Report – Baltimore Orioles – INSIDE PITCH
When the Orioles acquired Adam Jones from Seattle five years ago, they hoped they had found a player to build around for the future.
But they couldn’t have projected exactly how much of a franchise cornerstone the prospect would grow into.
Jones took a major step in his development in 2012. He signed a big contract early in the season, making him the second-highest-paid center fielder in baseball at the time. It also sent a message to the Orioles’ clubhouse early in what would become a magical playoff season.
Jones, joined by Gold Glove shortstop J.J. Hardy and Gold Glove catcher Matt Wieters, brings to the Orioles a stable central core. Around that trio — as well as right fielder Nick Markakis and third baseman Manny Machado — the Orioles have a strong 30-and-under nucleus.
Jones had career highs in batting average (.287), stolen bases (16), doubles (39) and homers (32) in 2012.
He still has room to grow. Consistency is one area. Strikeouts — a career-high 126 against just 34 walks last season — are another.
This month, he’ll be on the global stage, playing with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Jones is a unique character and a clubhouse leader away from the field. With his role on the national team vaulting him to yet another stratosphere, the center fielder could be primed to reach superstar status in 2013.
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MLB Team Report – Baltimore Orioles – NOTES, QUOTES
–OF Nick Markakis was sidelined recently with neck spasms but said he would play through the issue if it were the regular season. Markakis missed the middle portion of 2012 with a broken hamate bone in his right wrist and the final weeks, including the playoffs, with a fractured thumb. Last season represented the first two stints on the disabled list for the soon-to-be-30-year-old.
–RHP Dylan Bundy suffered a brief setback with a minor groin issue recently. Bundy won’t be pushed to try to make the big-league roster in Sarasota, and the club is more likely to allow him to work slowly and build up to a potential late-season call-up. Bundy will be in his second full professional season, potentially beginning the year with Class AA Bowie.
–1B/OF Conor Jackson is making up for lost time. After missing a few days early in camp with lower-back stiffness, the right-handed slugger homered twice in one game and had three homers, two doubles and six RBI in seven games. He has an outside shot at a reserve first base and corner outfield role.
–1B/OF Steve Pearce burst onto the scene and gave the Orioles a few solid games in mid-2012. Then he went on the shuttle between the minors, Baltimore and other organizations before landing back with the Orioles this winter. A non-roster invitee to camp on a minor-league contract, Pearce had three homers and nine RBI and was batting .545 through six games, though he faces an uphill battle to win a roster spot.
–OF Henry Urrutia, who signed last summer, joined the minor-league camp in Sarasota, Fla. Visa issues kept the 26-year-old Cuban talent from coming stateside in 2012, but he’s primed to start his career in 2013, perhaps at Class AA Bowie. Urrutia, a 6-foot-3, switch-hitting outfielder, could immediately become one of the club’s top prospects.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9 — Hits allowed by RHP Jair Jurrjens in his first 5 2/3 innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Arm feels good. No pain for the first time in a couple years, which is nice.” — RHP Matt Hobgood, a 2009 first-round pick, on his surgically repaired shoulder.
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MLB Team Report – Baltimore Orioles – ROSTER REPORT
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Jason Hammel
2. LHP Wei-Yin Chen
3. RHP Miguel Gonzalez
4. RHP Chris Tillman
5. LHP Zach Britton
The first two slots are virtually locked up, barring a surprise acquisition. There are others competing for spots, including last year’s Opening Day starter, RHP Jake Arrieta, former starters RHPs Steve Johnson and Tommy Hunter, and LHP Brian Matusz. RHP Jair Jurrjens signed a minor league contract, and he’s in the mix for the fifth starter’s role, too.
Two key contributors from last season — RHP Steve Johnson and LHP Zach Britton — may be forced to open the year at Class AAA Norfolk. Meanwhile, RHPs Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman, both top prospects, could have the big-league starters looking over their shoulders.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Jim Johnson (closer)
RHP Pedro Strop
RHP Darren O’Day
RHP Luis Ayala
LHP Brian Matusz
LHP Troy Patton
RHP Tommy Hunter
The bullpen was the club’s greatest strength in 2012. But relief corps, year to year, are inconsistent groups. Johnson was a lockdown closer last year, and if Strop can rediscover his midseason form, he’ll work the eighth. O’Day was invaluable in relief, particularly in the postseason. Steve Johnson and Arrieta could also factor in as long relievers.
The left side of the bullpen offers more flexibility, and there are plenty of candidates. Rule 5 pick LHP T.J. McFarland and offseason pickups LHP Mike Belfiore and LHP Daniel Schlereth have legitimate shots to crack the staff.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. LF Nate McLouth
2. SS J.J. Hardy
3. RF Nick Markakis
4. CF Adam Jones
5. C Matt Wieters
6. 1B Chris Davis
7. DH Wilson Betemit
8. 3B Manny Machado
9. 2B Ryan Flaherty
The lineup revolves around the health of two players: left fielder Nolan Reimold and second baseman Brian Roberts. Both could hit leadoff, and both could potentially be out for a prolonged stretch.
The bench and designated hitter position may be one in the same unless the club is able to acquire a bat in the spring — which the club’s pitching depth seems to indicate is on tap. Overall, no one bat stands out above the others. Wieters and Machado could be in for an improvement similar to what Jones saw last year.
TOP ROOKIES: 3B Manny Machado (.262, seven homers in 51 games) may not be a rookie by some accounts, but he’s in his first spring training as a big-league starter. RHPs Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman are the headlining pitchers in the Orioles’ system, and both should make appearances in Baltimore in 2013. Another player to watch is INF Jonathan Schoop (.245, 14 HR, 56 RBI at Class AA), who could factor in at second base late in 2013 if he can handle it defensively.
MEDICAL WATCH:
–LHP Randy Wolf (Tommy John surgery in October 2012) likely will miss the season.
–LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (left elbow surgery in May 2012) is throwing in bullpens off a regulation mound now. He’s aiming for a May return.
