Baltimore Orioles: Corner Outfield Predictions for 2015

Oct 10, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Alejandro De Aza (12) is congratulated by first baseman Steve Pearce (28) after De Aza scored in the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals in game one of the 2014 ALCS playoff at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

So much has been written in this offseason about the losses of Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz, often accompanied with great angst about what is to become of the corner outfield positions and how the lost production can possibly be replaced.

For a great many Orioles fans, speaking of solutions in the return of Manny Machado and Matt Wieters, along with hopes of Chris Davis having a better year, does not hold sufficient optimism that their production will be enough.

There has not been a significant trade to bring a well-known name to the Birds, and only Colby Rasmus remains of top-50 sorts of free agents available to play left field or right field. Even there, understandable concern is resident that he is far from a definitive solution.

So what if the Baltimore Orioles are stuck for this coming season with only the options known to us at this time? Could that work? Yes, it could … and here are some predictions for the 2015 season for current corner outfielders (and promise now you’ll stick with me to the remarks at the end) …

Alejandro De Aza – The lefty becomes the everyday right fielder and builds upon the foundation laid in his end-of-season stint with the Orioles in 2014. De Aza proves to be a very effective leadoff hitter, getting on base at a percentage equal to Markakis, yet doing so with more speed and similar, if not slightly better power. De Aza also has a significant numbers of doubles and triples, particularly hitting drives between outfielders into the power alleys in the larger American League stadiums. He is second in the AL in triples, only outnumbered by Mike Trout.

Steve Pearce – In his final year before free agency, Pearce has a beast of a season. He combines the confidence of 2014 with the desire to get his best deal possible for 2016 and beyond. As a decent daily outfielder, and occasional DH, he hits 25 home runs and is a critical bat in the middle of the Orioles lineup.

David Lough – Probably the best athlete on the Orioles, Lough puts the 2014 first-half of the season head injury problems completely behind him and becomes the regular left fielder for the Orioles. He brings unusual speed to the bottom of the lineup, while also turning on pitches and hitting about 10 home runs in Camden Yards.

Alex Hassan – Proving he was a success story looking for a place to happen, Hassan dazzles the Orioles management in spring training and plays his way onto the team and into a regular role. His ability to get on base (.387 in his AAA career) is beyond anything the O’s have had in recent memory and he becomes a fan favorite with a likeable personality, in spite of his New England / Duke University roots.

Daniel Alvarez – Just as he did in AA and AAA, Alvarez adjusts quickly to major league pitching. He has a powerful spring training, but does not go north with the team. However, his numbers at AAA make it impossible for him to remain there, and by early May he is with the Orioles. Overall, he puts together a rookie season that has folks in Baltimore saying, “We ain’t seen this since Markakis first arrived.”

Henry Urrutia – Healthy this year, fit and strong from an aggressive offseason program, and finally comfortable in the USA, Urrutia’s motivation drives him to a breakout season. He becomes a regular player with consistent production throughout the year, and though not a power hitter, he does cover the OPS numbers of the departed Markakis.

Delmon Young – No, Delmon doesn’t get to see the outfield much in the 2015 season, but he becomes a regular designated hitter and has a beastly year. He hits in the upper .200s and drills about 18 home runs out of the bottom half of the order. As well, he hits above his average in critical situations, particularly with men in scoring position. Though he only hits half the number of homers as Cruz did in the DH slot, Young makes up for the rest with a better overall average and situational hitting.

Nolan Reimold – The baseball gods finally smile upon Nolan Reimold as his suffering has finally atoned for whatever sins for which he has been punished with one injury after another. The Orioles are reminded of his considerable and varied skills when healthy – hitting for average and power with surprising speed; and he plays an effective left field without diving into any seats and breaking his neck. His 19 home runs go a long way toward covering the loss of Cruz.

Reimold has finally atoned for his sins.

Summary – Well, maybe the last one was the biggest stretch. And by now you must be thinking that this writer is only fit for writing about fantasy baseball – not the competitive type either.

Here’s the story: Will all of these eight predictions come true? Of course not. There is not enough room and playing time on the same team for these things to happen. Could half of them come true? That’s still probably not very likely, but at least a bit more believable and marginally possible.