Baltimore Orioles Offense – A Position by Position Review

Aug 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) slides into home plate against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

SHORTSTOP (0 = Relatively the Same)

How can you not like J.J. Hardy? He is the ultimate example of a guy who exemplifies what is the definition of the #1 baseball phrase of 2014 (in my opinion) – He “grinds it out” every day.

His grinding of 2014 has not had the same power as the previous three years with the Orioles, though the home runs have returned a bit of late. While his power numbers are down, his batting average is up; and he has already equaled his doubles total of last year (at 28).

Hardy has stood back from the plate a bit more this year and is using all fields rather than merely being a consistent pull hitter.

The most impressive current statistic about J.J. Hardy is that he has the third-highest batting average in the American League with runners in scoring position. Indeed, he has come through with a lot of critical hits this season.

All in all, even with the homers lower, I rank him as relatively the same as 2013 in overall production. And for the shortstop position, they are very good numbers.