Baltimore Orioles: Who Stole the Offense?
Jun 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher
Matt Wieters(32) celebrates with left fielder
Nolan Reimold(14) after hitting a three run home run in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
So what has become of the Baltimore Orioles offense, having been shut down two consecutive days with zero runs and only seven opportunities with runners in scoring position? After a month of June where they outscored opponents 148-102, with a 5.29-runs per game average, one would not expect the spigot to turn off so suddenly.
I truly think the answer is primarily one thing about all others combined: they have simply run into some pretty good pitching – both starters and bullpen. It has also seemed that an unusual percentage of those balls that have been fairly well “squared up” have been hit hard right at someone.
Along the way, the Orioles have had good pitching, only allowing three runs. I’d rather have the pitching stay consistent than the hitting, but nothing beats both working together. Easier said than done.
But all to say: I don’t think the Orioles are falling into some sort of team hitting slump. On quite a few swings and fly balls even last night, there was the look that they just missed on catching it square.
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Who is the next man out?
The answer to this is Nolan Reimold, as he will be gone on a paternity leave. But the question is asking beyond that time, who is the next to be designated like Delmon Young?
As always, there is the regular possibility that at any moment, an injury could change the entire landscape. But apart from that, it would seem that an outfielder has to go in order to bring Jonathan Schoop aboard. I can’t see the Orioles leaving the presumptive long-term second baseman in the minor leagues, especially if he is hitting there, which he is.
Jimmy Paredes has performed far too well to lose, even if they still need to somehow find a position for him. Chris Parmelee is not only a solid player thus far this year, he is a future piece in the probable loss of Chris Davis. Travis Snider has another year under team control, and though he does not look awesome, his production numbers are at least decent.
So it really comes down to Reimold or David Lough. The Orioles really do have a plethora of left-handed hitters in the aforementioned names, along with using Chris Davis often now in right field. Remember too that Ryan Flaherty can play corner outfield. With Young gone, Reimold looks to be more necessary to retain.
It has always been presumed that Lough’s ticket to remain on the roster is that he serves as the backup for Adam Jones. Up until the past couple weeks, a Jones backup player could easily be forgotten or overlooked. Adam plays all the time … until recently. His style of play makes him a bit more vulnerable to some besetting injuries as he ages.
So the question comes down to whether or not it is deemed that Nolan Reimold is an adequate replacement in center field. I think the answer is “yes” and that, at some point in the next week, the Orioles will have to reluctantly bid a likely farewell to Lough.
Lough is only hitting .216, and though considered a fast runner, he has been thrown out in 4-of-5 base stealing attempts. He’s a good guy and a good athlete, but I think the numbers simply catch up to him. These are problems that long-term winning organizations face. We’re just not used to that in Baltimore.
Next: Baltimore has become a place of starting over again for numerous players