MLB Playoffs 2017 Dotted with Former Baltimore Orioles
By Nate Wardle
Andrew Miller, Justin Turner, and Christian Walker are just a few former Baltimore Orioles players in the 2017 MLB playoffs as Orioles fans wait for the 2018 season.
The Baltimore Orioles, sadly, are not taking part in the 2017 Major League Baseball Playoffs, but that doesn’t mean some of their former players are sitting at home.
Many former Baltimore Orioles players are taking part in the 2017 MLB playoffs. Some of those names are ones everyone is aware of, such as Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop. Most Orioles fans would also recognize the fact that Justin Turner is a former Orioles player as well.
This list will only look at players who appeared in the major leagues for the Orioles, except for a few notable exceptions.
Cleveland Indians: Andrew Miller
Just one player on the AL’s top seed who played for the Orioles, and he is another notable. Miller, of course, was a large part of the Baltimore Orioles’ 2014 run to the ALCS, before losing to the Kansas City Royals.
That loss was no fault of Miller’s who was excellent both in the regular season and in the postseason for the Orioles. The team’s ability to get Miller for Eduardo Rodriguez also helped keep him away from other teams, including the Detroit Tigers. And I think we can all remember how bad the Tigers’ bullpen was the ALDS against the Orioles.
If you can’t remember, just google Delmon Young Baltimore Orioles double. Then, watch on repeat.
You’re welcome.
Houston Astros: None
No former Orioles on the Astros, although it is worth noting that Derek Fisher was drafted with a pick sent that the Astros received from the Orioles in the Bud Norris trade (Competitive Balance Round A pick).
Boston Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez
No, Eduardo never played for the Orioles in the major leagues. But, everyone knows that he was in the minor league system since he was a high profile trade for the aforementioned Andrew Miller.
Rodriguez may never see the mound as a starter for the Red Sox in the postseason. Doug Fister is set to start Game 3, and the Red Sox may be facing elimination in that game.
However, if Fister is ineffective (and with Drew Pomeranz going only two innings in Game 2, both Red Sox’ starters have been), Rodriguez may be called upon to try to keep the Red Sox in the game.
New York Yankees: None
Another team already looking like they are in trouble after getting thoroughly outpitched by Trevor Bauer with Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco waiting in the wings, the Yankees do not have any former Orioles on their team.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Justin Turner, Rich Hill
Some may not remember that Turner played in 17 games as an Oriole over two seasons (2009 and 2010) before being traded to the New York Mets.
Of course, he was mostly ineffective, hitting all of .111 with three hits in 31 at-bats. No one who watched him for the Orioles could have ever anticipated he would become the player he is now.
Rich Hill was even worse. He pitched in 14 games in 2009, started 13 and went 3-3 with a 7.80 ERA. It was ugly.
Maybe this is more an indictment on 2009 than it is these two guys.
Washington Nationals: Matt Wieters, Matt Albers, Jayson Werth*
Of course, Matt Wieters played for the Baltimore Orioles. The man was a cornerstone of leading the franchise back to respectability.
Albers spent three years in Baltimore, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He went 11-12 with a 4.60 ERA as a primary reliever, pitching 146 games over those three seasons. His worse year, you guessed it, was 2009, where he went 3-6 with a 5.51 ERA.
In fact, the portly right-hander has still pitched more games in an Orioles’ uniform than any other uniform.
Werth was drafted in the first round by the Orioles way back in 1997 but never played for the Orioles in the major leagues.
Chicago Cubs: Jake Arrieta, Pedro Strop, Brian Duensing
The Cubs are another team with three former Orioles, including Duensing, who was an Oriole in 2016, and I was somewhat surprised they didn’t try to bring him back in 2017 (they could have used him).
However, he fits into an excellent role in Chicago as a left-handed specialist, which will be helpful in the playoffs. A lot has been said about Strop and Arrieta and the trade that sent them to Chicago, so no real need to rehash that here.
However, it is vital to see that both are still contributors for the Cubs, with Arrieta, of course, being more than just a contributor. In fact, Arrieta getting back to his usual self could be one of the keys as to how far the Cubs go in their attempt to repeat as World Series Champions.
Must Read: Orioles Potential In-House Rotational Options
Arizona Diamondbacks: David Hernandez, Christian Walker
Remember these two guys? Hernandez is in his second stint with the Diamondbacks after starting the year with the Philadelphia Phillies. He will be a crucial piece in a bullpen that could see a lot of work.
Walker is a fantastic story. He was the MVP for the Diamondbacks’ AAA affiliate, and deservedly was promoted to the big leagues and played in 11 games, hitting .250 with two home runs in 12 at-bats.
Walker, of course, was a guy the Orioles liked, but with the emergence of Trey Mancini, he didn’t have a position, and he was expendable. So, he was put on waivers by the Orioles and signed by the Atlanta Braves. The Braves placed him on waivers less than a week later and was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds kept him for a few weeks before he was put on waivers again, ending up in Arizona.
The Diamondbacks have to be thrilled that a waiver claim is now on their playoff roster, working to try to help the team beat the top seed in the National League.
Ten guys who played for the Baltimore Orioles in the 2017 MLB playoffs that have a shot at baseball’s ultimate prize, a World Series title.
Next: 2017 MLB Playoffs Predictions Amid Orioles Withdrawal
Are you pulling for one of them individually?
Did I miss anyone?