Losing Nolan Reimold a Mistake for the Baltimore Orioles?
Jul 7, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman
Munenori Kawasaki(66) and right fielder Nolan Reimold (14) chase down an RBI single by Los Angeles Angels first baseman
Albert Pujols(not pictured) in the fifth inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Baseball is a sport that gives up on players all too quickly. You can be an all-star, multi-tool, switch hitting phenom who also can pitch five innings of shutdown ball, but if you slump or get hurt you can be replaced and be out in a flash. All professional sports have similar issues, but baseball is the one that seems to turn their back on their own the quickest.
So okay, Nolan Reimold is not the player described above. But he has been a serviceable, quality player that the Baltimore Orioles spent much time and effort in developing over the years. Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as their 2nd round pick (61st overall) in the 2005 MLB Draft, the player spent some good quality time at Norfolk and with the big league squad. He has proved to be a good, although not splashy big league player.
More from Baltimore Orioles
- What other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?
- Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the Stretch
- Baltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent Wins
- The Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September Roster
- Orioles Josh Rogers Expectations in his Major League Debut
He has been injury prone. Very injury prone. And the last injury was the one that doomed him when a roster logjam allowed no place for him to go when the Orioles designated him for assignment on July 1. Five days later the Toronto Blue Jays claimed him and he immediately hit .333 with 3 RBI’s over the next 4 days. True to form, Reimold was placed on the 15-day DL with a left calf strain on July 12. But when back from that slight injury he went 2 for 4 including 2 home runs against the Houston Astros to lead the Blue Jays to a 6-5 victory that got the Blue Jays within 1.5 games of the Orioles.
So was it a mistake to give up on Nolan Reimold? I say yes. A quality player, even with the injuries, is one you make sure to find a place for during a seeming playoff run. Only time will really tell, but giving up on him may cost the Orioles while strengthening a division opponent.