Baltimore Orioles: 2014 Season Grades – Outfielders

Oct 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Alejandro De Aza (12) can

I happened to locally meet a Chicago White Sox fan in September and thanked him for sending us De Aza, to which he said, “Thanks for taking him; he’s awful!” The man did not know and had not followed how well he was playing for the Orioles.

But still … giving him an “A” grade?  Well, yes. I’m just grading him on his time with the Baltimore Orioles, where he batted .293 in 20 games and was a great speed factor on the bases.

Consider this: If De Aza played 160 games on a pace with the numbers he put up for the Orioles, he would have 192 hits, 40 doubles, 24 triples, 24 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and 80 RBIs. That is why I’m giving him an “A” grade.

I understand that he is not likely to hit for totals like that projected above, but I’m also not sure what is not to like about the skill that he brings. The speed he brought to the lineup added an entirely new and needed dimension.

Answer to page one trivia question – The best Oriole batting average, whose name is in line one at the top of the stats page, belongs to Bud Norris at .333 – he was 1-for-3 with an RBI on the season.