The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles: Inside Look of the Current 40-Man Roster

By Nate Wardle

Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman (30) is taken out of the game by manager Buck Showalter (right) in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman (30) is taken out of the game by manager Buck Showalter (right) in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Left Field

Hyun Soo Kim, Christian Walker, Adam Walker, Anthony Santander

Left field offers some intrigue, but not quite as much as others. Hyun Soo Kim is likely to be the primary starter, and with Buck Showalter saying he wants to start him more against left-handers, he may not be in a platoon situation like previously thought.

The next three guys played the majority of their games in the minors in 2016 in left field. In Christian Walker, the team knows they are getting a guy who can get on base, has some power and is an improving defender. The another thing is he is a known commodity, having come up through the O’s system.

More from The Baltimore Wire

Adam Walker has recently claimed off waivers from Milwaukee. Walker is not a great defender but is certainly a power hitter. Of course, he also strikes out a ton, in fact, I think he led his level in strikeouts each of the last two years. So much for high OBP guys!

Then there is Anthony Santander, just drafted in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday from the Cleveland Indians’ organization. Santander is truly a long shot, having never played above high-A. For more of a profile on Santander and the other Rule 5 picks, see our analysis from Thursday.

Center Field

Adam Jones, Joey Rickard

Not much discussion in center field, as Adam Jones, will once again be patrolling there. Buck confirmed that this week, not that there was much question. Sure, some people, myself included, have floated ideas of moving him to a corner OF position as his numbers decline. However, I think a lot of that decline has to do with his shoulder injury from last year.

Joey Rickard is listed here, as he is the only player out of these eight capable of playing center field. I honestly think that Rickard is looking more and more ticketed to AAA Norfolk. I believe the Orioles are going to work to try to keep Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavarez, meaning that Rickard will probably need to be in AAA. This is fine because he has options, but I worry that the best player may not be in the majors, and that is a problem.

Right Field

Aneury Tavarez, Dariel Alvarez

The drafting of Tavarez, and being a right fielder makes him the current favorite to start at right field, as long as he has a solid spring. It may also be the end of the road for Dariel Alvarez in Baltimore, as they continue to pass by the guy who is a great defender, but questionable at the plate. Rickard will likely be Tavarez’s biggest challenge, at least of on team options.

Home/Baltimore Orioles