The Baltimore Orioles have lost 3 games in a row, 8 out of 10, and 10 of 12.

Based on that, there is a lot of talk around town about this being another lost, depressing O’s season.

Anyone arguing that, is ultimately missing why this is a fantastic time to be an Oriole fan.

Before I point out those obvious points, I should make clear that I do not find the current level of play acceptable. The O’s are losing games they should not be losing, and making too many mental mistakes on a daily basis. Beyond that, the offensive slump has gone from being a couple of days that every-team goes through, to weeks of non-production. If that does not turn around shortly, there will be have to some accountability for it.

Here are 15 reasons of why following the O’s on a daily basis is currently enjoyable:

1) The O’s came into 2009 with zero hope of contending the most-talented division in baseball. When you can not contend, what you are looking for is development, and opportunity for the players that can help you going forward – that has occurred more this year vs any year in the past-decade.

2) Nick Markakis is 38 for his last 158 at-bats (.240 batting avg) and still has an OPS over .800. Markakis is in a horrible slump, that is hurting the offense…. but this is not something that is going to last. Markakis is going to get hot again, and still have a chance to have his most productive season yet in the bigs. He is one of the most complete players in the Majors, and I’m estatic knowing he will be around for at-least another 5 seasons.

3) Adam Jones turns 24 in August. He has a .934 OPS in the middle of June. He is on pace for 31 homers, and 45 doubles. In 2008, Jones had 23 walks, and 108 k’s. In 2009, Jones has closed that gap to 15 walks, and 48 k’s. The O’s will likely attempt to extend him after this season, but at a minimum, he is an Oriole through the 2013 season.

4) Matt Wieters has ascended to the Majors, and become the O’s everyday Catcher. He is 23 years-old… the O’s Front-office was smart enough to delay his 2009 arrival long-enough to gain an extra year of service time, and most-likely avoid Wieters obtaining Super 2 status. O’s fans are going to be able to watch his development on a game to game basis for the remainder of June, July, August, and September.

5) After crushing AAA pitching through the middle of May, Nolan Reimold has been recalled and has 7 homers in 85 Major League at-bats. He also has a respectable Walk to K rate, as he has walked 8 times, and struck-out 16 times. While there are a number of things Reimold has to work on, it is clear his power is legitimate. He has an .875 OPS, and is on-pace for 34 homers in 415 at-bats. He turns 26 in October, and could be a long-term option in LF or DH at a limited price for years.

6) Luke Scott clearly adjusted to the DH position, as he has 14 homers, in 153 at-bats. Scott turns 31 in a couple of weeks, and is not eligible for Free Agency until 2013. The O’s could keep him as a cheap-productive option for several years, or they could sell while his value is at a high and bring back some younger talent. Either way, the O’s win.

7) You might have thought the 4 year deal for Roberts was too long for a player who turns 32 in October, but the O’s made the choice to invest in him long-term. After an outstanding April, Roberts had a mediocre May, and an abysmal June so far. I am not sure where Roberts will be as a player in 2013, but I believe Roberts will be a productive member of the next legitimately good O’s team. To clarify, I believe that will be in 2011, but I do think it is possible it could be as early as next year. Watching and seeing how he rebounds from this slump, and finishes 2009 is very important with an eye towards the 2010, and 2011 seasons.

8) Brad Bergesen is the O’s 7th pitching prospect -Tillman, Matusz, Arrieta, Patton, Hernandez, Erbe – and he is showing he could possibly be an acceptable back of the rotation starter. In his last 23 Major League innings, he has allowed 4 er. Even if by June 2010 Bergesen has been passed over for the rotation, he has shown enough to believe he could help out of the bullpen.

9) The O’s obtained Rich Hill for a player to be named later. He is not young (29) and he clearly his issues with fast-ball command, but he also has one of the best 12 to 6 curves in the bigs. It is easy to see why he had 183 k’s, and just 170 hits allowed in 195 innings in 2007. In 5 starts with the O’s, he has been effective 3 times, and horrible twice. He has the remainder of 2009 to show that he can be a part of the O’s rotation for the next several years at a limited price. Being in position to give him an extended opportunity is a good thing, and something I look forward to watching every 5 days.

10) Chris Tillman was promoted to AAA Norfolk to start the season, and is performing well at age 21. Hernandez improved his control, and was dominating enough at AAA to earn a promotion to the bigs. Jake Arrieta overcame an early season groin-pull to start burying AA hitters, and earn a promotion to Norfolk. Troy Patton missed all of 2008 due to the labrum, and posted a 1.99 era at Bowie in 11 starts, also earning the promotion to Norfolk. Brian Matusz got in 66.2 innings of work at Frederick, allowing just 56 hits, with 75 k’s – earning his promotion to Bowie. After raking in the Hawaiian Winter League, the Carolina League, and the Arizona Fall League – former 1st round pick Brandon Snyder has turned it up another notch at Bowie this year. Snyder has an OPS up over 1.000, and just turns 23 in November. Each one of these players will be on the Orioles by sometime during the 2010 season at the latest.

11) As the O’s near the trading deadline, the O’s have multiple players that could help a contender. Baez, Sherrill, Guthrie, Huff, Scott are all going to garner interest, and it is possible that someone will offer the O’s further young pieces to augment the younger core with. Watching to see how MacPhail addresses this, is extremely interesting to watch.

12) The O’s just completed another draft, where the Scouting Director (Joe Jordan) was allowed to identify and draft the talent he wanted. We will see how that talent develops, but there is a clear definition of rolls in the Warehouse currently, and the different members of the Baseball Operations department are allowed to do their individual jobs.

13) The Orioles have continued to escalate their philanthropic endeavors through their Orioles Reach Program:

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/community/index.jsp

Further to that, the O’s continue to make tickets available to the general public at discounted prices.

Obviously the reason for that is demande is non-existent, but that does not mean the O’s do not deserve credit for offering $8 Bargain Night every Tuesday, and $6 Student Night every Friday.

There is literally a promotion or discounted ticket every home-game. The O’s understand that they demand will not increase until the on-field product improves, but it would be wrong to say that Sales and Ticketing Department does not provide affordable options for the public.

14) Koji Uehara is 34 years old, and far past his prime that allowed him to win 2 Sawamura Awards as the best pitcher in Japan. However, even though he is not a long-term alternative, he was an effective targeted signing. He brought the Oriole brand to Asia, and hopefully opens that door to future signings. On the field, Uehara spent the previous two seasons in Japan in the bullpen. Making the transition back to starter, and Major League Baseball; Uehara deserves a lot of credit for how effective he has been in his 10 starts. The O’s, and International Scouting Director John Stockstill deserve credit for finally making in-roads as an Organization. Another sign of the gains made is the Baseball Academy the O’s have opened in the Dominican Republic. International Signing Day is July 2nd, look for the O’s to make another signing of note then, or possibly this coming off-season.


15) The O’s are no longer the laughing-stock of baseball. Anyone that doubts that statement might want to checkout sites like Baseball America, Baseball Analysts, Baseball Prospectus, Fangraphs, The Hardball Times, etc etc with a bit more frequency.

What drove me nuts for years as an Oriole fan, is that it was hard to identify a consistent plan of action. Now, even when you disagree with individual moves (as I did with Hernandez being sent back down ), it is easy to identify what the Organization is attempting to accomplish.

There is a core of players in place that the team will move forward with. There is a plan in-place that all should be able to see. There is another waive of talent about to join, and augment the existing core.

I am not arguing that all is right in ‘Birdland.’ I am arguing that there is enough right, that it is finally enjoyable being an O’s fan again, regardless of a horrible stretch of play.

Chin-up O’s fans… the last time it was this good as an Oriole fan, it was 1997.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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