Baltimore Orioles 3-Year Analysis: Position by Position

Oct 3, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce (28) hits an RBI single against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning of game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Right Field

The most glaring change on opening day in Baltimore in April will be to look out to right field and see the strange sight of someone other than Nick Markakis playing there.

The anger of some of the fanbase in seeing Markakis gone to the Braves is a bit odd relative to the mood of the same fanbase just 12 months earlier. If a vote was taken at the end of 2013, I am not sure that a majority of O’s fans really wanted to see Nick return. There was much disgust with his drop in power production and the expense for what had become “a singles slap hitter.”

Though Markakis did not return to power numbers like several years ago, he did resurrect some of it while also providing a more than adequate role as the leadoff hitter throughout the 2014 season.

Markakis played 147 games in the outfield, contributing a total of 14 home runs. Cruz and Pearce added a pair each, and Lough a single homer for the total of 19 from the position.

It could not be imagined that any one person will be playing 147 games in right field for the Baltimore Orioles in 2015. At this point we would bet on Steve Pearce getting the most at-bats, unless a trade eventuates for a Nori Aoki or an extra outfielder from the Padres, etc.  If Pearce is the man, it is not inconceivable that numbers such are were seen in 2014 can be repeated – maybe with some more RBIs, but not quite the same OBP.

Looking back rating – “+1” – marginally better.

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

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