Baltimore Orioles: 2014 Season Grades – Outfielders

Sep 5, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder David Lough (9) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It really was supposed to be a better season for David Lough. Going to spring training he was the presumptive left fielder for the Orioles when facing right-handed pitching.

But then there was a concussion-like injury at the end of the spring. Nelson Cruz got off to a blistering start from day one. Steve Pearce filled in here and there and ended up with a career year. They needed to be kept in the lineup. Delmon Young was also effective, and the next thing Lough knew, he was a late-inning defensive replacement.

Lough got off to a terrible start. He never blamed the head injury, whether he truly believed it was not an issue or refused to acknowledge it in the fear of it being perceived as an excuse. In any event, it took more than half of the season for the David Lough that was advertised to arrive.

And even then, Alejandro De Aza shows up with his blazing speed and hot bat from the left side. It looked almost conspiratorial.

Lough ended up batting .247 in 174 at-bats. Surprisingly, he actually played in 112 games, though again, many of them were as a late-inning replacement.

He batted .191 in the first half of the season and .357 in the second half. He is a nice piece on a team, and it would be good to have him back if possible. We’ll give him a “C+” for the season, believing he can grade higher the next time around.