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Fantasy Forces:
2B-Jerry Hairston (26)- Hairston made big strides in his second season as a starter last year, especially in the second half when he
hit .291. While it has taken longer than expected, the Orioles are hoping the speedy leadoff hitter is ready to flash the potential he
showed in '00. Coming from a long baseball lineage, '03 will see bigger increases across the board.
Risky Business:
DH-Chris Richard (28)- Ever since he teased us in '00, we've been waiting for the highly touted lefty to bust out. Since
then however, he has been saddled with injuries including last year when he missed 110 games with a bum shoulder. He will be the
primary DH this year but his once promising career is slowly drifting away.
CF-Gary Matthews Jr (28)- After years of drifting around, Matthews finally made an impact after coming over to the Orioles in
April. Racking up a career high in at-bats, he also set topped his previous bests in average, runs, steals, doubles, triples,
homeruns, RBIs and steals. Looking at the nominal new highs, it's safe to say there won't be any miracles in Matthews' future.
Though he will vie for playing time in a crowded outfield, don't expect too much more than his previous seasons.
SP-Pat Hentgen (34)- Since hauling 520 innings of work over two seasons with the Jays, the former Cy Young winner has not only
failed to top 200 innings again but also has not seen an ERA under 4.72. Battling through Tommy John surgery, he is 18 months into his
rehab, the time period generally regarded as full recovery time. Healthy or not, this is his last hurrah. Given the state of the
Orioles rotation, it won't take much of an effort to hold down a spot and Hentgen should for awhile.
SP-Sidney Ponson (26)- Before the arrival of Lopez, Ponson was considered the future ace of the Orioles. Riddled with shoulder
problems (all Orioles who aren't raise their hands), the beginning of Ponson's season is up in the air. Chided by the organization for
his poor conditioning, he still has good value on the trade market and if or when he is healthy, Ponson could be shoveled off.
Past Their Prime:
1B-Jeff Conine (36)- One of the steadier producers in the lineup, Conine made his first trip to the DL since '98, spending six
weeks away from the lineup. Consistent with the bat, he has seen his power numbers gradually dip and is probably going to move into a
backup role as the season wears on, giving way to the young talent, to use the word loosely.
SP-Scott Erickson (35)- Returning from his own Tommy John surgery Erickson proved his career is on a steep downward slope,
lacking much of the effectiveness his diverse repertoire used to have. Though a reliable inning-eater, the results suggest his days as
a member of the rotation are dwindling although given the state of health of the rotation he can probably be expected to get a fair share of
starts resulting in the usual dismal production.
1B-David Segui (36)- Every spring Segui is slated to take a bulk of the at-bats versus righties and every year he succumbs to
injuries, leaving him far short of expectations. A proven hitter when healthy, he is no longer a spring chicken and will enter the
season as a backup for the first time. There are plenty of parallel options to choose from and his days as a starter are over. |
Supporting Cast:
RF-Jay Gibbons (26)- While the Orioles bashing sensation continued to show his might at the plate, the lack of climb in his
average was disappointing. Battling a bad right wrist, Gibbons struggled with the outside portion of the plate, normally a strong spot
for him. Though he has a good swing and likely will make contact, the lefty swung far too early far too often, resulting in poorly hit
pitches that could have led to fat ones later in the count. He is supposedly healthy after surgery on the wrist, his second in two
years, and if so should be closer to the perennial .300 threat he was in the minors.
CL-Jorge Julio (24)- Intent on going with a committee entering the season, Hargrove changed his mind as the Orioles stood 12 games in
without a save. After his first career save, Julio racked up 24 more while knocking out sensational numbers all around. With a
explosive fastball and effective slider as a backup, he has the makeup to be a dominating closer but as long as he is on this team, 30 saves
seems a stretch.
SP-Rodrigo Lopez (27)- With injuries and failures littering the rotation, Grover called on this Mexican sensation to try to
settle down the rotation. By the time October rolled around, Lopez led all major league rookies in wins while posting the only
sub-4.00 ERA among Baltimore starters. Even though he faded toward the end of the season, he will once again take his place atop the
rotation. Willing to throw strikes early in the count, he gets away with it by mixing pitches and speeds but lacks focus sometimes.
OF/SS/2B-Melvin Mora (31)- After being one of the pleasant surprises of the first half, Mora plummeted to earth in a sub-Mendoza
Line second half. Gaining playing time in a variety of positions, Mora racked up a career high in homeruns but saw his average take an
adverse hit because of it. Generally regarded as a speed guy, the fourth year pro seems unwilling to use his speed to get on base,
preferring instead to drive the ball. While his versatility will assure him of nearly full-time ABs, Mora should see a return to
normal in the power departments and he seems to have peaked.
3B-Tony Batista (29)- Batista continues to be among the top power-hitting third basemen at an all or nothing cost. Using
a roundhouse instead of a swing, he has adjusted to the point of making inside pitches a strong point while neglecting the outer half of the
plate, leaving his career .257 mark as a potential high point. He will again be near the top in run production at the hot corner but
an average that low will offset any positive gains.
SP-Omar Daal (31)- Back at his old stomping grounds, Daal spent much of the first half whining about not being in the rotation
and much of the second half bombing as a starter. Upset with his bullpen role, of which he was very successful, Daal spent too much
time pitching out of holes and let mini-rallys turn into game-breakers. Pitching away from the scrutiny of Chavez Ravine, he may be
relaxed enough to approach his starts with a new confidence. That will quickly be squashed by the team around him and his fading
talent.
SS-Deivi Cruz (30)- Regarded at one time as a lead-off hitter, Cruz likes to make his at-bats short work, for better or worse.
Slated as the starter until prospect Eddie Rogers is ready, Cruz can be a dependable fielder and steady producer in the lower end of the
order but little else.
C-Geronimo Gil (27)- What was supposed to be a platoon role turned out to be a solo venture following the pathetic season by
backup Brook Fordyce. Although he only hit .232 on the season, Gil displayed the pop that the Dodgers coveted when he was in their
system. Like many of the Orioles, he faded badly after the break but will be back behind the plate in '03.
Better Days Ahead:
SS-Eddie Rogers (24)- While Cruz holds down shortstop for the immediate future, the long-term answer is Rogers, who come equipped
with all around talent but a raw approach to the game. He swings at bad pitches and makes errors on routine plays just as easily as he
dives in the hole to save a run. He could start at Triple A but will take over at some point for Cruz depending on how well the
incumbent plays. |
