Errors by miscast outfielders this weekend have cast more scrutiny on the Orioles’ bizarre decision not to promote their top outfield prospect.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
The Orioles’ first post-trade deadline road trip finished its first stop after the O’s dropped two out of three to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The O’s were competitive, with all three games decided by one or two runs, but in the end the superior team secured the expected series win. The Birds did show some fight in the finale, rallying back from an early 2-0 deficit and then tying the game with two outs in the ninth, but their lack of bullpen depth cost them as the Cubs walked it off. Check out Stacey’s recap for all the details.
There’s no rest for the weary as the Orioles turn from one excellent NL team to another, taking on the first-place Phillies at Citizens Bank Park for the next three days. Again, the odds are stacked against the Birds’ winning this series, but their new-look roster will hope to show some spark.
Speaking of the roster, one can’t help but wonder if the Orioles are really putting their optimal 26 guys out there right now. Yesterday’s loss can be attributed in large part to a first-inning error by miscast right fielder Jeremiah Jackson, who dropped a routine fly ball that led to two unearned runs in the eventual two-run defeat. And you can’t entirely blame Jackson. He shouldn’t have been out there in the first place, as he’s been an infielder for the majority of his minor league career. Only three of his 85 minor league games this season were in the outfield; he primarily played shortstop with a bit of second and third base mixed in.
The fact that the Orioles have started Jackson in right field in two of his three major league games speaks to the patchwork, ill-fitting nature of the current roster. The Orioles’ recent trades, combined with Tyler O’Neill’s weekend illness, forced the team to scramble for a less-than-ideal solution in right field. They decided to risk Jackson’s defensive deficiencies because the only other outfielder on the bench, Jordyn Adams, has a minor league batting line of .185/.281/.280 this year and would be a gaping hole in the lineup.
Gosh, if only there were some outfielder at Triple-A Norfolk who is both solid on defense and is hitting .307 with a .941 OPS and 16 home runs? A guy who happened to be the Orioles’ #3 prospect and is more than ready for an MLB call-up? That would be pretty neat, huh? At the risk of eliciting snickers from readers with a middle-school sense of humor, let me say this: I desperately want to see Beavers.
Instead, the Orioles continue to trot out players who have far less upside and all-around skills while they keep one of their top prospects — who has nothing left to learn in the minors — stuck at Triple-A. It’s befuddling, and it’s doing a disservice to both the player and the team that he’s not getting an audition yet. Say it with me, everybody: WE WANT BEAVERS!
(Come on, seriously. Stop snickering.)
Links
Jackson to Jackson to … Jackson? O’s first-of-its-kind trio turns nifty play – MLB.com
The Orioles’ three same-named players combined to throw out a runner at the plate. Now all the O’s need to do is acquire Chourio and Merrill to make a Jackson 5.
Orioles recall Noda and DFA Vavra (O’Neill out of lineup again) – School of Roch
“Ryan Noda? Psssh, who is this rando?” I scoffed disdainfully, right before he hit a game-tying, ninth-inning RBI single in his first at-bat and became my new favorite player.
Orioles: Keegan Akin surrenders a walk-off home run in loss to Cubs – The Baltimore Banner
It’s almost as if having Keegan Akin as your most high-leverage reliever is not a recipe for success. Never could have seen that coming.
Orioles claim Bruján, Ragsdale off waivers – BaltimoreBaseball.com
Bruján and Ragsdale? Psssh, who are these randos?
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 61st birthday to Orioles Hall of Famer B.J. Surhoff. The hard-nosed fan favorite had two stints with the Birds from 1996-2000 and 2003-05, part of a 19-year MLB career for the former #1 overall draft pick. Other former Orioles celebrating birthdays today are infielder Jahmai Jones (28) and outfielder Jon Knott (47).
On this date in 1991, Hall of Famer Mike Mussina made his major league debut for the Orioles, and it was an outing that perfectly foreshadowed his sensational career: 7.1 IP, 1 ER against the White Sox, with a homer by fellow Hall of Famer Frank Thomas his only blemish. Unfortunately the then-22-year-old Mussina was outdueled by 43-year-old Chicago starter Charlie Hough, who pitched a shutout for a 1-0 White Sox win.
And on this date in 1998, seven years to the day of his debut, the now-established ace Mussina carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Tigers, but a two-out double by Frank Catalanotto ruined his bid. Mussina settled for a two-hit shutout in a 4-0 Orioles win in front of 47,519 at Camden Yards.
Random Orioles game of the day
On Aug. 4, 2005, the Orioles picked up a much-needed win against the Angels, 4-1, to snap a nine-game losing streak. Earlier in the day, the O’s had fired manager Lee Mazzilli, who started the season 42-28 before a second-half collapse cost him his job. In interim skipper Sam Perlozzo’s first game, Sammy Sosa powered a two-run homer and five Orioles pitchers combined to allow just one run at Angel Stadium. B.J. Surhoff singled and walked on his 41st birthday.