Baltimore Orioles: Middle Infield Depth, Signing of Ozzie Martinez
Oct 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) flips to second to start a double play in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals in game two of the 2014 ALCS playoff at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Though Baltimore Orioles fans might have wished for the signing of a different Martinez, the Birds did today complete a Minor League contract with Ozzie Martinez, who was most recently with the Atlanta Braves organization.
This is clearly a depth move, which raises the greater question as to what is the depth of the middle infield in the Orioles’ system. Clearly the O’s needed to dig into their corner infield depth in 2014; what if that need were to occur up the middle in the future?
Over the next three pages/slides, let’s take a moment to look at the Baltimore Orioles organization and the middle infield in this way …
- The current major league middle infielders: J.J. Hardy, Jonathan Schoop, Ryan Flaherty …
- The current depth chart in the upper levels of the minor league system …
- Ozzie Martinez, and where today’s acquisition fits into the equation …
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