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Orioles: 2016 AL East Positional First Base Rankings

By Nate Wardle

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) connects for a RBI single in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) connects for a RBI single in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Logan Morrison
Sep 6, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Logan Morrison (7) doubles during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Tampa Bay Rays – Logan Morrison, Brad Miller, Steve Pearce (Prediction: 4th, James Loney, Steve Pearce, Logan Morrison, Rickie Shafer)

I was correct in saying that I didn’t think James Loney would make the team after his disastrous 2015 season both offensively and defensively.

With him gone, the Rays platooned Logan Morrison, Steve Pearce and Brad Miller. None of these guys are going to supply much defense, and the metrics reflect that.

Offensively, Morrison made most of his starts against right-handers, hitting .244, while hitting .200 against left-handed starters. Overall, Morrison hit to a .238/.319/.414 clip with 14 HR, 18 2B, 43 RBIs and 45 runs. Not a lot of production for a team that needs offense.

Miller was the primary starter at shortstop, but also spelled Morrison, although his numbers were not much better.

Pearce, on the other hand was on fire for the Rays in his platoon role against lefties, until he got hurt. Then, he was traded to the Orioles, but never stayed healthy.

An improvement for the Rays over Loney, and better than some other teams, but still not what a team in need of offense was looking for from their first basemen.

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