Baltimore Orioles New Power Threat

Sep 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis (21) congratulates left fielder Alejandro De Aza (12) after hitting a two run home run during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

It is no secret to anyone that the Baltimore Orioles score a high percentage of their runs via the long ball. They lead all of baseball by a wide margin, having now hit 191 home runs in this season.

As more proof that hitting is contagious, new O’s addition Alejandro De Aza went deep twice for the Orioles in Boston – lifting a two-run homer in the first inning that scored Nick Markakis ahead of him, and then connecting again in the third inning for the first of back-to-back solo shots along with Adam Jones. It was all the scoring the Orioles would need in a 4-1 victory over the Red Sox.

Prior to Tuesday night in Boston, De Aza had hit a total of 35 home runs in his career in 2,105 plate appearances. That is an average of one home run every 60 times he has walked to the plate.

The two long balls make a total of seven for this 2014 season, though it should be noted that he hit 17 just last year. The 30-year-old outfielder is maybe finding some new power in his “old age,” though it is more likely he caught the disease from those around him in the O’s clubhouse.

Dan Duquette seems to have hit a homer himself in acquiring De Aza. At the time he said of the multi-talented outfielder, “He’s good in left; he can play center field. He had two very good years in ’12 and ’13 where he hit for power, and he gives us a veteran outfielder that we can use to supplement our team.”

At the trade deadline on August 31, the Orioles acquired De Aza from the White Sox for a pair of minor league pitchers – Miguel Chalas and Mark Blackmar. At the time, De Aza was hitting .243 over 122 games, having 31 RBIs, five home runs, and 15 stolen bases. The O’s liked his left-handed bat and that he could bring some speed to the team. He is a career .268 hitter in 555 games.

In five games now with the Orioles, Alejandro De Aza is 8-for-20 along with three walks and four runs scored.

De Aza was signed in 2001 out of the Dominican Republic by the Dodgers. He was taken by the Florida Marlins in December of 2004 in the Rule 5 Draft. The White Sox selected him off waivers from the Marlins after the 2009 season.

De Aza only hit .232 for the Marlins in 67 games over his first two years in the big leagues. In his five years with the White Sox he has hit .270, often batting leadoff. He stole 26 bases in 2012. To put that into perspective, the Orioles have a team total at this moment of only 37 swipes!

Baltimore Orioles New Power Threat – Alejandro De Aza

By Randy Buchman | Sep 10, 2014