SB Nation User Blog: BKsportstake

What are the O's to do with Felix Pie?

BKsportstake — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:03:47 -0000

The Orioles aren't confronted with many dilemma's they would like to have these days. Usually, they have to figure out which minor leaguer is the best candidate to be promoted in order to replace a struggling player on the big league roster. However, the Orioles are confronted with the opposite situation.

A few months ago, ESPN.com featured a piece on the O's young outfield (pictured) including Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones, and Nick Markakis. There's no argument that the trio make up one of the best young outfields in the majors. However, what ESPN did not account for at the time is the Orioles new-found depth in the outfield. With Felix Pie's increased playing time and opportunity to prove why he was once the Cubs number one minor league prospect, number 18 has suddenly burst onto the scene as more than just your everyday fourth outfielder.

Since his cycle game, Pie is batting .383 going 18 for 47 over that span of 15 games. What's most impressive is that his power numbers are drastically improving in just a short period of time. On August 12, his slugging percentage was stuck at an unimpressive .336. Since then, he's raised his slugging to .457, a 121 point increase in only a couple weeks! It doesn't appear that this recent hot streak is simply a fluke. A few weeks ago, the O's hitting coach Terry Crowley announced that he helped Pie make his swing more compact. Working hard with Crowley all season, Pie has shown instant improvement which suggests he isn't just getting lucky.

So the dilemma the Orioles are in now is what to do with Pie. He's filled his role as the team's fourth outfielder very well but is he beginning to outgrow his role? With Adam Jones return to the lineup after a mild back injury, Pie is back on the bench except for Sunday games and the occasional spot start. I would expect Trembley to start letting Pie play more often than he has in the past. However, Nolan Reimold earned his spot in left field months ago so how does Pie factor into the O's future? I understand that Pie needs to prove himself over a longer stretch of time but it wouldn't surprise me if the Orioles have four legitimate young outfielders by the time the off-season rolls around.

Is it feasible to let Nolan Reimold take a shot at playing first base during spring training next year? He's only played one game at first in his professional career but the Orioles have been successful at converting players in the past. Melvin Mora was brought up as an outfielder and they were able to develop him into a solid third baseman, one of the hardest positions on the field. The Orioles gave Luke Scott, a career outfielder, an opportunity to play first base this season and he's filled in adequately for Huff's vacancy.

Or is it more feasible to let go of someone like Luke Scott in order to allow Reimold to be the DH next year? As much as I like Luuuuke Scott and his scorching hot streaks, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him go. In the past, I would've been completely against trading Scott because he is only 31 and seems to have a decent number of productive years left. He also recently signed a contract extension. However, two or three years from now, do you see the 34 year old Luke Scott playing a bigger role than Nolan Reimold or Felix Pie in the O's future? Or would you be ok with developing Nolan Reimold only as a DH when he's proven he can field?

Andy MacPhail has stressed that the Orioles should have an inventory of young players. I couldn't agree more but at some point, the O's need to distribute their wealth and surplus of young players at certain positions in order to fill holes in the roster where perhaps they don't have players waiting in the wings. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the Orioles don't have incredible depth in their minor league system at first base. How about we give Reimold a shot at first and go from there?

Best Games of the First Half

BKsportstake — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:55:41 -0000

In this supposed 'rebuilding' year for the O's, there have been a handful of thrilling games with spectacular performances from the young guys and veterans. While their record was 40-48 at the All-Star break, the majority of fans agree that this team is on the right track. Here is a list of the 5 most memorable games from the first half.

Opening Day, April 6th. Orioles 10 vs. Yankees 5.

The Orioles kicked their season off on the right foot by beating the Yankees and their prized off season acquisitions. Mark Teixiera was properly greeted by tens of thousands boos hollered by bitter O's fans. C.C. Sabathia allowed six runs as Roberts, Jones, and Markakis combined for 8 hits and 7 runs between the three of them. This game was more than just a win but rather a benchmark for where this team was and still is fostering hope for the future.

Reimold's Heroics, May 27th. Orioles 12 vs. Blue Jays 10 in 11 innings.

Nothing was in the Orioles favor for this game. For one, it was a day game, they were facing the American League's best pitcher at the time in Roy Halladay, and it was the final game of a series in which they won the first two games. Despite all of those pieces in the Blue Jays favor, Orioles Magic returned to Birdland. Halladay was bumped from the game after 7 solid innings and the O's had there chance. The Orioles were down by 5 runs entering the 8th but battled back with a merry-go-round of hits to tie the ballgame. In the top of the 12th however, Danys Baez gave up a two run homer to Aaron Hill to break up the tie. In the bottom half of the inning, the rookie Nolan Reimold stepped to the plate playing in just his 13th career major league ballgame. With the score 10-9 and two runners on base, the rookie jacked the 1-1 pitch over the left field fence, game over, O's win 12-10!

Wieter's Debut, May 29th. Orioles 7 vs. Tigers 2.

This potentially historic game drew national attention as the #1 prospect in baseball was called up. However, Matt Wieters' debut in front of a packed house at the Yard was overshadowed by Luke Scott's two home run performance and Bergesen's gem. Luke's grand slam onto the flag court and Brad Bergesen's 8 strong innings helped the O's win their 7th game in 8 days.

Roberts Silences Citizens Bank Park, June 20th. Orioles 6 @ Phillies 5.

In the midst of interleague play, the Orioles stunned 40,000 Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park by taking the lead after trailing by two entering the top of the ninth. After a Ryan Howard bomb off Danys Baez in the 7th to give the Phils a two-run lead, the O's used a Gregg Zaun solo shot and a Brian Roberts two out, two strike, two-run home run to overcome the Phils. The Orioles went on to sweep the World Champions the following day.

Historic Comeback, June 30th. Orioles 11 vs. Red Sox 10.

What really is there to say about this one? Wow! Everyone who was at or watched this historic game was speechless. This is perhaps the most memorable game of the past decade for the O's. The Birds overcame a nine run deficit, yes a NINE RUN deficit, to beat the first place Red Sox. With five runs in the 7th and five more in the 8th, the Orioles set a franchise record for largest comeback in team history. This win is a testament to the team's heart and persistence regardless of the situation, the two qualities winning teams must have in order to succeed. Unfortunately, Orioles fans will always remember the 4-run lead the Orioles blew in the 9th the following day. That's baseball.

Honorable Mentions

Battle of the Beltways part 1, May 22 @ Nationals. 4-2 in 12 innings.

The Orioles kicked off their interleague schedule by taking a trip down 95 to play in the 'Battle of the Beltways' versus the Nats. This was a very well played game by both teams and it took a fluke play to split the 2-2 tie. In the top of the 12th, Danys Baez was forced to hit because the O's ran out of bench players. He swung at the second pitch he saw and the ball dribbled down the left field line as Baez reached first safely to keep the inning alive. Roberts and Jones followed with consecutive doubles as Baez scored what ended up being the game winning run. Take that, 12-29 Nats!

K-Rod's Collapse, June 18 vs. Mets. 5-4.

Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the 9th, the O's were in line to add another loss to their 0-34 record when trailing after 8 innings. With arguably the best closer in the majors on the mound primed to record another save, the Orioles stood no chance right? Nope, the O's defied the odds and scored two runs of Francisco Rodriguez, aided by a game winning single by Aubrey Huff, to win the series against the Mets.

Poll

Which was the best game of the first half?

Opening Day, April 6th. Orioles 10 vs. Yankees 5

17 votes

Reimold's Heroics, May 27th. Orioles 12 vs. Blue Jays 10 in 11 innings

17 votes

Wieter's Debut, Scott's Slam, May 29th. Orioles 7 vs. Tigers 2

9 votes

Roberts Silences Citizens Bank Park, June 20th. Orioles 6 @ Phillies 5

14 votes

Historic Comeback, June 30th. Orioles 11 vs. Red Sox 10

149 votes

Battle of the Beltways part 1, May 22 @ Nationals. 4-2 in 12 innings

0 votes

K-Rod's Collapse, June 18 vs. Mets. 5-4

3 votes

Other

1 votes

210 votes | Poll has closed

R.I.P. Steve McNair

BKsportstake — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:30:40 -0000

While he only played two seasons for our Baltimore Ravens, I consider it an honor to have watched Steve McNair play in a Raven uniform. He'll always be remembered as a Tennessee Titan, as he should be, but he'll also go down as one of the toughest and grittiest players in NFL history.

During his time in Baltimore, it seemed like he was always on the injury report with a strained back, sore shoulder, or bruised ribs, among many more injuries. Regardless of the ailment, he persevered and led the Ravens during the 2006 season when they went 13-3 and won the AFC North. At the end of his career, it appeared his injuries finally caught up with him as the perennial hall of famer was forced to call it quits after 13 seasons.

However, his past statistics and achievements take a backseat to today's news that McNair, 36, was tragically shot and killed in Nashville. It is unclear exactly what happened but when it comes down to it, a young man and woman lost their life due to an act of gun violence.

On my way home today, I heard a piece of the Sporting News radio show during which they were discussing the link between professional athletes and violence. As of now, it does not appear that Steve McNair put himself in any danger. However, professional athletes, especially NFL players, seem to find themselves in the middle of dangerous situations. Sean Taylor, Darrent Williams, and Steve McNair are just a few of the athletes who have recently been killed or involved with gun violence. Their deaths give creedence to the notion that high-profile athletes are targeted more often than average joes. I've got to believe that professional athletes are going to feel more inclined to protect themselves.

Would you feel comfortable with more athletes wielding firearms for protection? Occasionally, professional athletes are the danger as seen through Tank Johnson's and Plaxico Burress' off the field gun-related problems. It is a very complicated issue that may never be fully resolved. As for now, our prayers go out to the McNair family as they mourn the loss of a true competitor.

RIP Steve

Baltimore Beatdown Editor's Note: See the excellent story posted by our fellow SB Nation blogger for the Tennessee Titans by clicking here. Their fans deserve our messages of sympathy as well. Thanks.

Poll

Should Steve McNair be voted into the NFL Hall of Fame?

Yes

987 votes

No

258 votes

1245 votes | Poll has closed

The Stover Question

BKsportstake — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:06:49 -0000

10-10 game. 4th down. 57 seconds left in the 4th quarter. AFC championship game berth on the line. From 43 yards out. Who do you want kicking? Steve Hauschka? Graham Gano?

No way.

You want Matt Stover. Sure, his range may be limited but I want the most accurate kicker in the NFL on my side. At a spry 41 years old, the Ravens most trusted offensive weapon in team history deserves to kick again. He earned it last January when he nailed the 43-yarder to seal it against the Titans.

Some cite his weakening leg and increased unreliability for reasons why the Ravens should move on. I cite the game-winning field goals and the ability to come into the most tense situation without crumbling under the pressure for reasons why he should kick for the Ravens. In a recent Baltimore Sun article, Mike Preston explains Stover's primary problem is that he has been too good for too long.

It's hard for me to doubt Ozzie Newsome's decision making, as he is the sole reason for why this team is able to reach such great heights. I don't know for sure if he made the decision to let Stover go but whoever did should come forward and fully explain why the Ravens are putting their money on the unproven youngsters, Graham Gano and Steve Hauschka. It's possible that one of those two can help the Ravens make a Super Bowl run. However, I would prefer that the Ravens re-sign Stover to kick field goals under 45 yards and keep one of the two young kickers on the roster to kick field goals over 45 and man the kickoff duties.

The Stover question is as easy to solve as the phrase which best summarizes the situation. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

So let me ask again. 4th Quarter. Season on the line. A chance to play for a spot in the Super Bowl. Who do you want kicking? I want Matt Stover. Do you?

Poll

Who do you want kicking the majority of the field goals for the Ravens in 2009?

Matt Stover

30 votes

Steve Hauschka

9 votes

Graham Gano

12 votes

51 votes | Poll has closed

A Week to Remember

BKsportstake — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:36:40 -0000

Has there been a time in the past twelve seasons when you, as a die-hard Orioles fan, have felt more optimistic about the future? For the bulk of these 11 straight losing seasons, your head has been filled with false hope and a general sense that this team will bring a winning team back to Baltimore, eventually.

By now, there is no hope left. O's fans know that this team is on the right track. While the O's are still developing (as are most teams), the young talent is falling into place and the positive results are shining through. This most recent week may go down as the most significant week for the Orioles organization in the past decade.

Just think about what has happened over the course of one week, a week that included five shaving cream pies to the face, a game winning blast by a promising rookie, a triplet of solid outings by three pitching prospects, a grand slam in the midst of a scorching streak, and a date that may go down in history as the dawn of a new era of baseball in Baltimore.

Nolan Reimold, the Orioles second most talented hitting prospect, looked like the real deal by hitting 3 HR's including a walk-off shot. Jason Berken, one of the Orioles young pitching prospects, pitched solidly enough for me to believe that the pitching is actually on its way. David Hernandez kicked off his major league career with a fine outing Thursday night. Brad Bergeson pitched a gem and Luuuuuke Scott blasted his fourth and fifth homer in three games Friday night overshadowing the debut of the second coming of Jesus Christ aka Matt Wieters. Was the rainbow over the warehouse on Friday a coincidence? I think not.

At 23-26, 5 games back of first and closing, the O's are winning for all the right reasons. Young talent is taking this team over and the light at the end of the tunnel is visible, for real this time. Then again, that's what winning does for a team and an organization.

Poll

What was the most memorable occurence from the past week?

Nolan Reimold's walk-off homer Wednesday

7 votes

Luke Scott's 6 home runs in 4 games

10 votes

Berken's, Hernandez's, and Bergesen's solid starts

3 votes

Matt Wieters' debut on Friday

5 votes

25 votes | Poll has closed

Don't Expect Much From Wieters

BKsportstake — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:46:13 -0000

Even though he is arguably the most talented prospect in all of baseball, don't expect Matt Wieters to blossom into a superstar from the get go.

If history is any indication, it is unlikely that Wieters will be an impact player in his first couple months with the O's. While anyone is an upgrade over Gregg Zaun and Chad Moeller, don't expect Wieters to instantly provide a solid bat in the middle portion of the lineup.

Even the most highly rated prospects struggled in their first couple months in the big leagues. Nick Markakis, for example, batted .220 in his first 100 at-bats with only 2 homers. Through their first 100 at-bats, Adam Jones (.210), Evan Longoria (.220), and Dustin Pedroia (.180) each struggled in the first couple of months after getting called up. However, after their initial struggles, all of the aforementioned players turned into impact players.

Rarely will a rookie will burst onto the scene in the couple months following their call-up. Joe Mauer is an example of such a rarity. The batting title-winning Mauer hit .320 to go along with 6 HR's in his first 100 AB's.

As for Wieters, he may join the likes of Joe Mauer and immediately live up to the hype. Prior to the 2009 season, a large handful of 'experts' including ESPN's Buster Olney picked Wieters to win the AL Rookie of the Year award. Olney believes that Wieters is 'Joe Mauer, with power.' It is possible that Wieters comes right out of the gate swinging. However, a player like Mauer is an anomaly. While some have considered Wieters to be an anomaly as well, I am not going to be foolish enough to expect too much out of this kid before he settles into the major league environment.

Either way, the Orioles don't need him to produce in the short run. If Wieters is batting under .230 halfway through July, don't panic. This kid seems like the real deal but we have to give him time to develop, much like the Orioles team as a whole.

Problem: Struggling Orioles Offense, Solution: Wait it Out or Promote Wieters

BKsportstake — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:17:59 -0000

Going into Sunday's series finale of the 'Battle of the Beltways,' the Orioles anemic offense had failed to post more than four runs on the board since May 14th, a stretch of eight games.

While the O's have won a few of these low scoring games, no right minded Orioles fan can expect to see the current Orioles pitching staff win games when the offense does not produce.

The Three-Headed Monster (Roberts, Jones, Markakis) at the top of the lineup is no longer the most feared 1-2-3 in baseball. Nick Markakis is slumping, badly. In the past nine games, he is batting .184 with only two extra base hits in that stretch. Most importantly, he has driven in only five runs. His performance is instrumental to the Orioles offense.

Aubrey Huff is another struggling Oriole crucial to driving in runs. Huff, similarly to Markakis, is batting .229 in the past nine games with 4 RBI's. Brian Roberts and Adam Jones have done an excellent job this year getting on base. When Markakis and Huff aren't able to capitalize with runners on base, the Orioles can't win ballgames. It's that simple.

What is going to get this offense going again? First of all, Nick Markakis needs to get back on track. His RBI triple on Sunday is good to see but he went 1 for 5 in the game. I expect that Nick will break out of this slump soon, he is too good of a hitter to continue slumping. Second of all, Aubrey Huff must capitalize with runners on base.

If the offense does not get back on track in their current form, Matt Wieters' inevitable promotion must come to fruition. In the past 10 games, the switch-hitting superstar-to-be is hitting .333 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's.

If Andy MacPhail is waiting for the right time to promote Wieters, this is it. Chad Moeller and Gregg Zaun are embarrassing at the plate and the O's can't afford to lose games simply because Markakis and Huff aren't doing well.

--BK

Ace No More

BKsportstake — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:09:49 -0000

Going into this season, O's fans knew that the pitching would be bad. But most came to the conclusion there was at least one legitimate starter on this team, Jeremy Guthrie. Those O's fans, including myself, were wrong.

After 9 starts, Guthrie is 3-4 with a 5.37 ERA. When Guthrie struggles, the long ball is primarily to blame. He has given up 14 HRs through the first month and a half this season. Last year, he gave up 24 over the course of the entire season.

In addition to the long ball, Guthrie struggles putting batters away. This can be attributed to the fact that he lacks an out pitch. The Orioles former ace, Erik Bedard lived and died on his nasty curveball. Guthrie has a decent array of quality pitches but he does not have that signature strikeout or out pitch that most major league aces weild.

Since injuring his shoulder last August, Jeremy has not been able to regain the consistency and reliability he showed during the bulk of 2007 and 2008. Guthrie does not maintain the ability to stop, or at the least, mend the bleeding by the Orioles pitching staff, the primary objective of the staff ace.

Jeremy Guthrie's work ethic and effort should work in his favor as the season continues. Whether you like it or not, Guthrie will remain the ace because he's the best we got. The only other candidate to fill Jeremy's role as the ace is Koji Uehara. The 34-year-old rookie is the most consistent and reliable starter on the team. However, he has not played in the majors long enough to earn such a prestigous role.

Regardless of what we call Guthrie, he is going to have to turn it around in order for this team to stay afloat before the prospect levees break and the bevvy of young pitching talent floods Camden Yards.

--BK

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