MLB Preview 2015: Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles 2014 Record: 96-66
Team overview:
The defending AL East Champions will come into the 2015 season with even higher expectations than what they met last season. On paper, two of their three best all around players, Matt Wieters and Manny Machado combined to play 108 games last season. Also their potential emerging star at first base, Chris Davis was having a season from hell before being suspended for the end of his season. Buck Showalter and his staff were able to put the problems behind them and with a formidable pitching staff and a great bullpen, the Orioles were able to roll through the division. Although the division will be much tougher this year, I would expect the Orioles to be competing once again into the late months of the summer.
This team has a captain and team leader in Adam Jones. Jones, 29 years old, is in the middle of his prime and when he is on top of his game he is one of the best outfielders in the MLB. The Orioles added Alejandro De Aza at the trade deadline last season, and Travis Snider this winter to play the corners with him. While neither put fear into pitchers hearts, they are both formidable veterans. It will be tough for them to find the production to match what the O's will lose in Nelson Cruz, but Snider should be in a platoon with Steve Pearce as well as Delmon Young, and that may be a decent combination with occasional power.
While the outfield could use work around Jones the infield should be ready to go. Machado is young, appears to be fully healthy already, and I expect at worst he improves the team defense in a major way. J.J. Hardy and Jonathan Schoop are the middle infielders, and with that you have the old and the new. Schoop is only 23 and unproven, while J.J. Hardy is 32 and one of the better defensive short stops in the league. I expect Schoop to learn a lot, and I personally like the kid’s future. The signing of Everth Cabrera will help with depth for them, because he can play both shortstop or second base if either were to struggle. Cabrera has also been one of the most successful base stealers in recent years, but will definitely start in a bench role after a steroid suspension ended his time as a Padre in 2014. Matt Wieters hasn’t been cleared to go following Tommy John surgery, but he said he will be ready for opening day and should be able to put in a full season. With Caleb Joseph being a better defensive catcher than hitter, it isn’t out of the question that Wieters spends some time at DH before being an everyday catcher. I am intrigued to see how he comes back from the injury, as he is a piece that can put a team over the top when healthy.
As previously mentioned, the bullpen was a top ten pen last season and should be the same this year. I can see where the team is going with their rotation. It appears Chris Tillman is entering his prime as a pitcher, and while Wei-Yin Chen isn’t the youngest, nor is he a top tier pitcher, I certainly don’t see him falling off a cliff after his best statistical season. They also have veterans Miguel Gonzalez, Bud Norris, and Ubaldo Jimenez competing to round out the rotation, but the player to watch is Kevin Gausman. Gausman was once a top prospect and is now entering his second full season in the rotation. He hasn’t lived up to his ace expectations, but he is only 24 and appears to be getting it going as last season wore on. If he can hold down the rotation, this will be the best team in the AL East.
What to watch for:
Another young pitching prospect is what needs to be watched for with this team. Dylan Bundy who was the 4th pick in the 2011 MLB draft may, just may be ready for an MLB debut in 2015. His last two seasons featured Tommy John surgery and a few other nicks in his elbow. He isn’t quite where many thought he would be today, but if he can be a 5th starter by August, watch out; That may be the spark this rotation needs.
One last thing to watch is Chris Davis. As mentioned he had his two-year rise see an abrupt stop last season, and it will be a follow to see how he can come around from a suspension. The team may have a short leash at first base, as Steve Pearce has played there last season and they have young prospect Christian Walker (AAA) who appears to be MLB ready. The team can move the group around on defense and also use Davis as a DH. Also, if they feel comfortable in their hitting and he is showing some value, he may be on the trade market to solidify the outfield or the rotation.
Where do they rank:
As mentioned above, I think at least 3 of the other 4 teams in the division will improve this season. I think the Orioles have the potential to be a better team than last year but I’m not sold that that automatically means a better record. I will be interested to see how the questions in Machado, Wieters, Gausman, Bundy and Davis all play out. If I start to see what I like I may be looking at this team as the class of the division. Due to their results last year I still place them at 1st in the American League East.
