Baltimore Orioles 3-Year Analysis: Position by Position

Oct 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) hits a RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning in game three of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Shortstop

Where has the power gone? That was a question asked over and over about Evan Hardy when he went such an extended period of games without hitting a home run. He went from September 5^th of 2013 until the 6^th of June in 2014 without a long ball.

One of the funniest moments of the season was when Hardy hit that first home at Yankee Stadium. He was “iced” by the dugout upon his return there, and Hardy threw sunflower seeds over his own head while running down the steps to the clubhouse.

So the power production was down, though he did manage to eventually total nine homers. His average was slightly better at the end, though it was quite a bit improved over most of the year.

Not visible in these scant statistics is the manner in which Hardy delivered in clutch situations as one of the best on the team and in the league. I believe that this factor largely offset his lesser power numbers, though it would be great if he could get back to hitting something close to 20 dingers.

So long as Hardy’s health – particularly his back – remains good, we can probably pencil him in for a very similar sort of season again in 2015.

Looking back rating – “0” – relatively the same.

Looking ahead rating – “0” – relatively the same.

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