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Baltimore Orioles’ options if they want to bench shortstop J.J. Hardy

By Nate Wardle

Apr 16, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) throws to first past Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) to force out left fielder Craig Gentry (not pictured) in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) throws to first past Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) to force out left fielder Craig Gentry (not pictured) in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Adrian Marin (82) fields a ground ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Adrian Marin (82) fields a ground ball in the fourth inning of the spring training game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Orioles’ future shortstop working his way through the farm

Rosa isn’t the only guy at AA Bowie he could be in this conversation.

Erick Salcedo and Adrian Marin also are worth looking at. Salcedo is in his seventh year in the minor leagues but is only 23 years old. Signed out of Venezuela, he has only been in the Orioles’ system for a few years. He is hitting .308 for the Bowie Baysox and could be worth consideration as a potential starter at shortstop.

The 22-year-old Marin hit in the .230s each of the last three seasons, which isn’t very good. But, in 2017 he is hitting .288 for the Baysox. He also has speed, as shown by his team-leading three triples and his three stolen bases.

Marin stole 25 bases in 2015 for A Frederick.

The shortstop of the future is at A Frederick. Ryan Mountcastle is hitting .331 for Frederick with 8 HRs, 32 RBIs, 15 2B and 56 hits, which all lead the team.

Mountcastle only has six walks on the season compared to 30 strikeouts, so he already fits in well as an Oriole. While several of the other players mentioned already are smaller, utility type players, Mountcastle is six foot three and just under 200 pounds.

His numbers have gotten better each year as he has advanced levels. Mountcastle was the first round (36th overall) pick of the Orioles out of high school in Florida in 2015 and is only 20 years old.

While I don’t think Mountcastle would be a replacement for Hardy in 2017, he likely could be the replacement long term at the position.

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