Is there any hitting help in the minors?

[bluedog]

Interested in everyone's perspective. We know the O's are winning right now despite their offense, not because of it. We're not likely to trade for a key bat any time soon, so if the team is to improve help will have to come from within the organization.

So is there anyone who's genuinely in a position to help the club offensively from the minors in the near term? Antonelli? Townsend? Avery? I haven't seen enough of these guys to know if they would be potential improvements over the likes of Betemit & Chavez.

Thoughts?

[baltfan]

Antonelli is the only hope I can think of. And I am not that hopeful regarding him.

[Slappy]

Betemit can hit. Chavez is on the team for speed and defense. Reynolds and Hardy will hit. Not too concerned, yet.

[playbaltimorecom]

We have nothing in the minors. Antonelli is batting .230 at Norfolk.

I would find a way to get Paulino in there-can he play 1B?

Hall K-ed in his first 2 AB's as a Tide btw.

[McNulty]

The best balance of defense and offense might well be having Antonelli at third, Reynolds at first, Davis/Betemit/Johnson DH.

Antonelli can play.

[bluedog]

We have nothing in the minors. Antonelli is batting .230 at Norfolk.

.

It's not Antonelli's BA that excites me, its his .430 OBP. He's walked in 30% of his PAs thus far. With all the HRs the O's are hitting, having Antonelli on base over 40% of the time could be worth a lot of runs.

[playbaltimorecom]

The best balance of defense and offense might well be having Antonelli at third, Reynolds at first, Davis/Betemit/Johnson DH.

Antonelli can play.

I don't know much about Antonelli, but I would go with that.

Don't like what I see from Betemit at 3B (he is better than Reynolds but not much better). Reynolds should be at 1B IMO.

I like this idea. He just needs to start hitting.

[JohnnyK27]

Avery has to be getting close ...But he's a OF ....and Waring 3B is very hot at AA (although his glove doesnt appear to be a improvement. It would be nice to see him find his way to AAA soon.

DD should be looking to pick up a 3B and move Reynolds to fulltime DH.

[playbaltimorecom]

It's not Antonelli's BA that excites me, its his .430 OBP. He's walked in 30% of his PAs thus far. With all the HRs the O's are hitting, having Antonelli on base over 40% of the time could be worth a lot of runs.

Wow-that is impressive. It should would be nice to have a power hitting 3B and 1B that can field their positions

BTW: Bill Hall was 0-4 in debut tonight with 4 K's, ouch.

[theobird]

The offense will be just fine as soon as hardy, Markakis, and Reynolds starts to hit. It will also be a big boost to get Reimold back in the lineup.

[wildcard]

I think Antonelli needs a little more time to get hot but when he does I'd like to see what he can do at 3B. I think he offer several things the O's need. High OBP and better defense. Antonelli up, Johnson to Norfolk.

Exposito may be a good back up catcher. Good arm. Can hit some. Looks like a good pick up.

[dan-O]

Avery has to be getting close ...But he's a OF ....and Waring 3B is very hot at AA (although his glove doesnt appear to be a improvement. It would be nice to see him find his way to AAA soon.

DD should be looking to pick up a 3B and move Reynolds to fulltime DH.

Man, we've had that dude forever, seems like. Relic of the Miguel Tejada trade, right? He's the only one left - Albers and Scott are gone.

[skanar]

Man, we've had that dude forever, seems like. Relic of the Miguel Tejada trade, right? He's the only one left - Albers and Scott are gone.

Troy Patton, dude.

[LookinUp]

In the near term, I'd say the only help that could conceivably be available and make a difference would be Antonelli (if he can keep his OBP high) and Townsend, though it's VERY unlikely he'd get a promotion, particularly when the team already has DH's everywhere you look. Our top prospect position players were:

Machado - not ready
Schoop - not ready
Hoes - starting to hit. I suppose he could get called up if something funky happens and we need a 4th OF.
Avery - everyone assumes he's very far away, even though he's in AAA. Never say never, but it's doubtful he'd upgrade us at the plate.
Townsend - hasn't had enough MiL ABs. You never know what could happen if he destroys AA for 4 months. Low chance.
Delmonico - in Delmarva right now.
Esposito - ditto.
Davis - so far away
Lino - so far away
Mummey - not ready
Adams - don't think so

Realistically, I think anyone looking for offensive help needs to look at the guys we're putting out there now, and maybe consider more time for Flaherty or Antonelli. Beyond that, Roberts is the best hope.

[LookinUp]

Man, we've had that dude forever, seems like. Relic of the Miguel Tejada trade, right? He's the only one left - Albers and Scott are gone.

Wasn't it Costanzo? I think Waring was a relic of the short-lived Cincinnati connection.