Baltimore Orioles: Getting to know first baseman David Washington

The Baltimore Orioles roster welcomes first baseman David Washington, who is expected to play in place of the ailing Chris Davis.

With Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis headed to the disabled list, many assumed that would mean that Pedro Alvarez would have a chance to prove his worth, or the team would use Trey Mancini and Mark Trumbo and promote someone else.

Not so fast.

Instead, it appears that David Washington is going to be promoted, according to David Hall of the Virginian-Pilot on Twitter.

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What does this mean? First, it means that the Orioles aren’t satisfied with Alvarez at first base either. It also makes it likely that Alvarez will see the writing on the wall and opt-out, which works for me.

But, who is David Washington?

Most of the position players the Orioles have promoted in the middle of the season over the last few years have been players who have major league experience. I’m talking about guys like Paul Janish and Julio Borbon.

Those players, although maybe relative unknowns to Oriole fans, are guys who people recognize.

Not Washington, who has never played in the major leagues.

David Washington, a left-handed hitter, was a 15th round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009 out of University City High School in San Diego, California.

Washington has played in locales like Johnson City, TN, Batavia, NY, Peoria, IL, State College, PA, Palm Beach, FL, Springfield, IL, Memphis, TN and now Norfolk, VA. Before coming to the Orioles in 2017, he spent his entire career in the Cardinals’ organization, making it to AAA Memphis in 2016.

Washington has played 371 games at first base, compared to 170 in right field and 35 in left field. However, he has played solely at first base for the Tides. He has a career .985 fielding percentage at first base, with 49 errors in 3379 chances.

But, let’s be honest, when talking about a first baseman, you want to know what kind of offense they bring to the table.

Washington fits the mold of Davis, Trumbo and his fellow Orioles. He is very much a power hitter, high in home runs and also high in strikeouts.

In 2016 between AA Springfield and AAA Memphis, Washington hit .259/.359/.532 with 30 home runs, 21 doubles, 77 RBIs, 67 runs scored, 67 walks and 169 strikeouts, which is a ton in the minor leagues.

In 2015, Washington struck out 150 times in the season.

One thing to consider is that while the strikeout numbers were high in 2016, so was the on-base percentage.

In 2017 for Norfolk, Washington was hitting .291/.344/.517 with 10 home runs, 16 doubles, 26 RBIs, 29 runs, 17 walks and 71 strikeouts. That batting average was on pace to be the best of his career, and it isn’t close.

In the last seven days, Washington is hitting .375/.444/.750 with four extra-base hits, three RBIs, and three runs.

In the last 28 days, covering 18 games, Washington is hitting even better, batting .382/.455/.735 with six home runs, six doubles, 14 RBIs, 14 runs. He also only has 17 strikeouts over that period, so he apparently sees the ball well.

In fact, in the other 37 games, Washington has 54 strikeouts, which is pretty close to a strikeout and a half per game. Know who else is averaging a strikeout and a half per game? Chris Davis!

Now, Washington isn’t on the 40-man roster. So, how is that going to work?

The team could move Anthony Santander to the 60-day disabled list and free up a spot. They also could choose to move a pitcher, maybe Andrew Faulkner off the 40-man roster.

Maybe they will decide to trade Ubaldo Jimenez.

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My guess is they move Santander to the 60-day disabled list, which is the natural move.

Washington is only 26 years old, so it is wise of the Orioles to figure out what they have, and if he is a ‘nugget’ moving forward.

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