Baltimore Orioles stocking up on first-round talent
By Joe Serpico
It’s time to stop the panic Baltimore Orioles fans.
With 22 days left until pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota, Florida, the Orioles are suddenly active. The vacancy in the outfield has been filled. Dan Duquette is staying.
While some worried that Duquette’s potential move to Toronto would be a conflict of interest, Buck Showalter and company have continued to build a team full of talent.
The Orioles acquired Travis Snider from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday in exchange for minor-league left-hander Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named. Snider, who turns 27 next week, was a 2006 first-round draft pick for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Baltimore continues to get younger in the outfield with the move. Nick Markakis, 31, and Nelson Cruz, 34, are gone. In their place, the Orioles resigned Delmon Young, 29, and acquired Snider.
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The addition of “Lunchbox” continues the trend of former first-round draft choices that the Orioles front office has targeted. Young and J.P. Arencibia, the other two “major” offseason moves, are also former first-rounders.
The Orioles 40-man roster now holds 10 former first-rounders and most should see significant playing time in 2015. In fact, you can almost fill the lineup with the group.
Adam Jones, Young and the newly acquired Snider fill the outfield. Arencibia, Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and Ryan Flaherty would make up fourth-fifths of the infield. The bullpen features Tommy Hunter and Brian Matusz. They have terrific starting pitching options in Kevin Gausman and the up-and-coming Dylan Bundy.
There is also the Orioles most recent first-round pick, Hunter Harvey. Harvey isn’t currently a member of the club’s 40-man roster, but it’s only a matter of time before he makes his mark in the Majors.
That is an impressive group.
Baltimore thrives on two things: the draft and finding diamonds in the rough that haven’t panned out on other teams. That’s what they continue to build.
Six of the past seven first-round choices are named above. Wieters and Machado are arguably the top player at their position under the age of 30. Gausman, Bundy and Harvey are considered terrific prospects, and the future rotation could feature the three first-round picks and a former second-rounder in Chris Tillman.
Snider and Arencibia never lived up to the first-round hype for their previous clubs, but won’t feel that pressure in Charm City. Arencibia has a chance to start the season with the Orioles not sure whether Wieters will be ready for Opening Day. Snider will get his chance to get regular at bats.
Anyone who was thinking that Duquette’s possible departure had anything to do with the club’s lack of activity this offseason has been proven wrong in recent weeks. These are typical Duquette moves. The Orioles don’t splash. They wait to find values in guys like Young, Snider and Arencibia. Low risks that could come with high reward.
For those who were quick to turn their backs on him, continue to keep the faith. He’s staying in Baltimore.
O’s fans live by the motto “In Buck We a Trust.” Trust Duquette too. He was named General Manger of the Year for a reason.