Baltimore Orioles: 2014 Season Grades – Infielders

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Ryan Flaherty (3) makes a throw against the Detroit Tigers during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

I have become somewhat infamous on this blog as a Flaherty skeptic. I think the numbers support this, though I appreciate his late-season efforts and playoffs contributions which were at least decent.

Ryan Flaherty is a great asset to the team as a utility player. Factoring his ability to play so many positions at a plus level defensively, while also bringing a measure of occasional power at the plate, it is easy to see why he is a regular part of the Baltimore Orioles. He brings a wide range of values.

He is not, in my estimation, an everyday player … nor will he be. The batting average is simply not high enough for that. But with the injuries suffered by the Orioles this year, Flaherty was on the field more than would be expected for a utility man. He played six positions, only missing center field and catcher.

For the season, Flaherty appeared in 102 games and batted .221 with 15 doubles and seven home runs. His career average is .221.

So, grading him as a utility player, I will give him an official “B.”  If it were as a regular player, it would be something a good bit less.

I expect Flaherty to be on the Orioles for the next several years. Where else do you find a person who can play so many positions and actually hit any better?