Baltimore Orioles: Battle to Start at Second Base
By Nate Wardle
Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the Baltimore Orioles are only a few weeks into Spring Training. The team has only played two full games at this point, both Oriole victories.
However, one thing has been apparent through those games. Whoever wins the starting second base job, will have earned it.
Many, myself included considered Ryan Flaherty to be the incumbent. Flash has good range and a little bit of power for a second baseman.
But there are several others in camp working to make sure Buck Showalter doesn’t have an easy decision.
Jemile Weeks, acquired in the Jim Johnson deal, has been the best the Orioles could have expected so far. In one game, Weeks is 1-2, has scored twice, was walked once and has a stolen base. His speed is one thing the team was looking forward to with Weeks, and he has certainly shown that so far.
Jonathan Schoop has played in two games, going 1-2 with a walk, a strikeout, an RBI and one run scored. Schoop has shown that he still has some learning to do in the field, as evident by his high throw to the plate in the middle of a rundown in Saturday’s game. But Schoop also had a clutch hit that helped the Orioles win that game.
Buck Showalter continues to comment that Schoop has really filled out and no longer has any ‘baby fat.’ The young man continues to impress and will certainly push for a spot on the team.
Alexi Casilla has not played yet as he continues to nurse an injury. At this point it isn’t a concern, but with all the other talent, it might be hard for him to crack the roster.
Flaherty does not have to worry too much, as I still think he is on the Orioles’ roster come the end of Spring Training. However, it may be as a utilityman and not as the starting second baseman.