Baltimore Orioles Offense – A Position by Position Review

Aug 16, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) watches from the dugout in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

THIRD BASE (-1 = Marginally Worse)

One of the ongoing concerns at the top of the winter list was if Manny Machado could return to the Orioles lineup and produce at a similar level as 2013. Even without the injury that required the offseason surgery and winter of recovery, it would have been difficult for Machado to repeat his great adventure of the previous year – especially to hit 52 doubles!

Machado would make his 2014 debut on May 1^st, and it was clear that he was not really into batting form at first – hitting just .220 for the month with two home runs.

But July and August were a different story completely, as Manny would hit .351 over a 28-game period before injuring his knee and being put on the DL – where he remains now. He recovered his average to .278, which was very impressive given the slow start.

But the numbers of the others who have filled in at third base during his injuries and suspension time have not hit at the same pace; and therefore I have downgraded this position to a minus one since last year.