Which Baltimore Orioles are Primed for a Big 2015?

May 24, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher

(66) throws in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Indians defeated the Orioles 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Many Baltimore Orioles fans were anticipating big years from certain players last year, and several of those came through.  Who can a big year be expected from in 2015?

Going into 2014, the Orioles and their fans had a few players that expectations were a little higher on.  I mean, we knew Chris Davis was not going to repeat 2013 (although we also didn’t expect his 2014 play either).

One of those was Zach Britton.  ZB was out of options, and had to make the team.  And he showed up in Spring Training with his slider working and became the set-up guy.  From there he took over the closer position as Tommy Hunter struggled (almost predictably).

Another was Nick Markakis.  Finally healthy, many expected a big year at the plate from Markakis.  And in some ways he did not disappoint.

A few players truly did come out of nowhere, like Brad Brach, Caleb Joseph and Steve Pearce.  And the O’s wouldn’t have made the playoffs without them.

So for 2015, I have a few different players in mind.  One is going to be kind of a no-brainer, another is contingent on health in training camp, and then a true player who may be surprising.

1) David Lough.  Let’s face it, David Lough had an abysmal beginning of the year in 2014.  Whether it was the concussion-like symptoms, the pressure of playing for a new team, etc., Lough struggled mightily.  Yet, many fans also forget that he hit much better in the second half.

Those numbers show a drastic difference.  His second half came in fewer appearances, as Delmon Young got more chances to start and Alejando De Aza came on board. In the second half, that is what the Orioles would love to have at the top of the lineup.  There would be no need for Nori Aoki or Colby Rasmus.

Do I think that Lough could sustain those numbers over the entire year? Well, no.  But I do think he could be a .290 hitter with good speed at the top of the order, or if De Aza leads off, at the bottom of the order to give that speed combo the Orioles like to use.

2) Manny Machado.  Not much needs to be said here.  If Manny shows up for Spring Training healthy and makes it through the entire season healthy, he will have the best year of his career.  The sky is the limit for Manny, if he can just stay healthy.  Manny started slowly last year after being rushed back, but once he hit his stride he was hitting with more power than before and really doing some damage.  Of course, then he got hurt again. ESPN recently picked Manny as the one player who could break out in 2015; and as long as he stays healthy, there is no reason he shouldn’t.

3. T.J. McFarland.  The AL East has a lack of left-handed pitching.  In fact, ESPN has an article today about how the Yankees could fill out a lineup with all left-handed hitters, and the writer believes that is intentional.  Well, the Orioles only have one starter who is a lefty, and that is Wei-Yen Chen. Zach Britton and Wesley Wright are both lefties, but both are firmly entrenched in the bullpen.  Brian Matusz is a lefty, but his future in Baltimore is cloudy.

McFarland has toiled as the long man out of the bullpen for two years now and spent part of last year in the minors.  However, as one of the few lefties the O’s have who can start, I think this could be a big year for McFarland. His numbers in Baltimore, albeit in fairly low-stress appearances, is 8-3 with a 3.58 ERA.

McFarland had a better 2014 than 2013.  Some of his peripherals, particularly his WHIP, are very high (1.4+). However, the Orioles continue to like what they see out of the left-hander.

A lot can change between now and March, and several pitching additions, could keep McFarland off the roster.  However, I think the Orioles will be able to use McFarland in 2015 either as a starter due to injury, or as the first man up when one of their many right-handers takes the mound.

Who do you think could have a breakthrough year for the Birds?