I spent a large portion of last year, calling for Reimold to be promoted.
After the Orioles were unable to trade Jay Payton at the July 31st deadline, it made perfect sense to release Payton, and play Reimold everyday in LF for the remainder of the year… The O’s should have acknowledged that Millar was not in the plans for 2009, and inserted Huff at 1st, with Scott moved to DH.
That would have provided the Orioles with 200 Major League at-bats for Reimold, and a better understanding of the player they had.
Of course, one of the reasons they did not do that, was because they had been playing Reimold everyday in RF at the AA level.
I had spent the entire year stating that with Markakis long-term in RF, it made little sense for Reimold’s development to be playing RF.
Perhaps with an extended look at Reimold last year, the Orioles would not have made pronoucements as they did this Spring, where they said Reimold surprised them with his defensive abilities, and his overall athleticism.
It is now pretty popular around-town for Orioles fan to say that Reimold should be playing in Baltimore ahead of Pie.
To that, I disagree. I love Reimold… I wanted him to be the everyday LF before Pie was obtained… if the team traded Scott today, and made Reimold the DH… I’d be ok with that as well. (or moved Huff, and made Scott the 1st baseman)
However, Pie was obtained… the system is devoid of top positional prospects… Pie has just turned 24… he has performed extremely well at the AA, and AAA levels… and has just under 300 total at-bats over parts of 3 seasons in the Majors.
Pie needs at least 450 Major League at-bats in 2009… you are looking for month to month development… watching him play on a daily basis is one of the joys of the 2009 season, and an opportunity provided when you have a team playing without the expectations of competeting.
Reimold is a player that goes through extreme highs and lows… now he is crushing the ball… he will go through a drought at some-time as well.
Until Scott is moved, or possibly until 2010 – Reimold is going to have to stay at the AAA level and play everyday.
(Unlike Montanez, who at an advanced age.. could replace Freel as the 4th OF)
As long as Reimold is at the AAA level, let him worry about producing, and working on his plate-discipline.
Reimold’s AA Career – 690 at-bats, 290 avg, 44 doubles, 3 triples, 35 homers, 116 rbi, 116 runs, 78 walks, 129 k’s, 1XBH per 8.41 at-bats
2009 AAA – 38 at-bats, 421 average, 1 double, 3 homers, 13 rbi, 7 runs, 3 walks, 11 k’s, 1XBH per 9.5 at-bats, 1.137 OPS
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.