Taking a Look at our Minor League Hitters: 2nd Base

[Oldorioles]

Taking a look at our Minor League Hitters: 2nd Base

Let's take a look at the second basemaen in the system and see how they did during the past year and where we might expect them to wind up next year. (Note: This is just for players who played a majority of their games at 2nd base last year).

Adams - What are they going to do with him? It seems clear that he can hit - on any level. A .284/.341/.454 split isn't too bad for a 24 yo getting his first taste of AAA pitching. I thought his defense was OK when he was called up, but the O's front office clearly is not entirely sold on him as an everyday player. I think Andino is the utility guy next year, so that may leave Adams back in AAA. I'd love to hear some opinions on what to do with Adams (I, personally, would give him a shot if Roberts can't answer the call).

Miclat - What a nice story this past season. His 50 SB and his success rate were eye opening. It's important to remember that he was repeating at Bowie, but he did increase his BA over 30 points and his OPS 85 points. Does he repeat there a third year (the 718 OPS is hardly overwhelming)? If not, what happens to Adams at AAA? I don't see how you give up on him.

Schoop - He went from the Gulf Coast league last year to Delmarva and Frederick (as a 19 yo) and hardly missed a beat. I think they'll start him out back at Frederick with Machado next year, but will probably move him up mid-season , much like this year, with continued success. Man, did he look good at Delmarva early in the season.

Leonora - Known for his glove, Dudley struggled mightily at the plate (498 OPS, including a 359 OPS briefly at Delmarva). That being said, he's only 19 and was playing at a level higher than most players his age. They may promote him to Demarva full-time next year, simply because there are few other options and he's pretty good defensively.

Zrenda - An undrafted free agent signing out of Brown, Ryan was adequate in his brief time at the end of last season spelling Leonora and Narron. As a 23 yo, I suppose he might be kept as a utility type at Delmarva next year but that's about as much as he can hope for.

Mooney -I think Mooney is a candidate for release. His .205/.321/.243 line is much the same as his last two years. (Side note: this would be a shame in one sense since we would be geting rid of one of our three "Ooney's" - Rooney and Cooney are the other two).

Pena - Nice late round draft pick last year. He produced decent numbers in the GCL, but he should have as a 22 yo. I see him being bumped up to Aberdeen.

Mercedes - I think we can gett a little excited about Alexander. In his 2nd season in the DSL, he put up a very respectable .317/.405/.422 line. Why not bring him over and put him in the GCL next year and see what he can do?

P. Rodriguez - He repeated in the GCL as a 21 yo and really crashed. I think he's done.

Hanley - Speedster in the DSL, known mainly for his pinch running. He has his third sub 550 OPS as a 20 yo. I think he'll probably be cut.

Predictions Summary for 2012:

Norfolk: Adams

Bowie: Miclat

Frederick: Schoop

Delmarva: Leonora (with Zrenda on the bench)

Aberdeen: Pena

GCL: Mercedes

DSL: open

Cuts: Mooney, Rodriguez, Hanley

This is a rather conservative approach, but I think much depends upon what they do with 2B at the big league level. Adams, Miclat, and Schoop could all be promoted at some point next year.

[Lucky Jim]

I think Adams gets switched to 3B at Norfolk with Miclat moving up to take over 2B. Miclat's OPS over the last two months at Bowie was well over .800 and 50 SB with 3 CS has to be one of the best lines ever in the minors. Bell either gets moved out of the organization or switched to 1B or DH. I think Schoop and Machado are a package. Both either start at Bowie or Frederick. There is an argument for either case. Personally, I would like to see both start at Bowie and stay in one place all season.

What do we do with Bell? I was thinking the same, but wouldn't it mean jettisoning either Bell or Snyder? (Unless, I guess, we get creative with DH and LF or something.)

[Oldorioles]

I think Adams gets switched to 3B at Norfolk with Miclat moving up to take over 2B. Miclat's OPS over the last two months at Bowie was well over .800 and 50 SB with 3 CS has to be one of the best lines ever in the minors. Bell either gets moved out of the organization or switched to 1B or DH.

That's very a interesting idea. Miclat certainly made the case to be promoted. Your scenario would allow Adams and Miclat to both play at Norfolk everyday. If you moved Bell out, that team would have precious little power but to me it's about developing the prospects and Bell has really fallen off the last two years while Miclat has really picked it up.

[stef]

With a seeming increase in interest in players playing multiple positions, I could see Adams getting time at 3B, 2B, LF (and DH). Adams, Miclat, Snyder and Bell could easily coexist on the Norfolk roster. Mahoney, if moved up, would take Hughes's spot—still enough ABs for all.

[Frobby]

I notice you didn't even bother to list Hoes as a potential 2B -- which is probably correct, in my view.

We actually have a lot of interesting players here. Ultimately, Schoop is the guy, and he has to be moved along at whatever pace makes sense for him without regard to how it affects the others. I agree with RZNJ that I want Schoop and Machado staying together. It's a coin flip whether they start 2012 at Bowie, or hang in Frederick for a couple of months.

As to Adams and Miclat, it's very hard to know what to do. Adams can surely hit, and his defense still needs work but he wasn't quite as abysmal as I expected. Miclat has spent enough time in AA to get promoted, but you have to find somewhere to put Adams if Miclat goes to Norfolk.

I wonder whether a MiL trade would be in order this winter, to get rid of some guys where we have redundancies and strengthen some other spots.

[Tony-OH]

I think Adams gets switched to 3B at Norfolk with Miclat moving up to take over 2B. Miclat's OPS over the last two months at Bowie was well over .800 and 50 SB with 3 CS has to be one of the best lines ever in the minors. Bell either gets moved out of the organization or switched to 1B or DH. I think Schoop and Machado are a package. Both either start at Bowie or Frederick. There is an argument for either case. Personally, I would like to see both start at Bowie and stay in one place all season.

Can't find anything to disagree with here. Bell could also see some time in LF/RF.

[Tony-OH]

I notice you didn't even bother to list Hoes as a potential 2B -- which is probably correct, in my view.

We actually have a lot of interesting players here. Ultimately, Schoop is the guy, and he has to be moved along at whatever pace makes sense for him without regard to how it affects the others. I agree with RZNJ that I want Schoop and Machado staying together. It's a coin flip whether they start 2012 at Bowie, or hang in Frederick for a couple of months.

As to Adams and Miclat, it's very hard to know what to do. Adams can surely hit, and his defense still needs work but he wasn't quite as abysmal as I expected. Miclat has spent enough time in AA to get promoted, but you have to find somewhere to put Adams if Miclat goes to Norfolk.

I wonder whether a MiL trade would be in order this winter, to get rid of some guys where we have redundancies and strengthen some other spots.

Honestly, I think it will depend on how they look in the spring. It wouldn't hurt them to start at Frederick and hope they both get off to quick starts and move them to Bowie by June.

[Tony-OH]

Tony, do you know why Hoes went to instructs? Do you think he goes back to 2B next year?

I was told that the Orioles have basically moved Hoes to the outfield because they envision Schoop as the 2Bman of the future now. Not everyone agreed with this move. Some felt Hoes' prospect status took a dive as a left fielder because he may not have the power to play there. Others feel his power will be enough. My thought is can the Oriole afford a 15-20 home run guy in LF and RF?

[EagleOriole]

I was told that the Orioles have basically moved Hoes to the outfield because they envision Schoop as the 2Bman of the future now. Not everyone agreed with this move. Some felt Hoes' prospect status took a dive as a left fielder because he may not have the power to play there. Others feel his power will be enough. My thought is can the Oriole afford a 15-20 home run guy in LF and RF?

I think you can have Hoes in LF if he can carry a .360-370 OBP. Is that realistic at the ML level though?

[Lucky Jim]

I was told that the Orioles have basically moved Hoes to the outfield because they envision Schoop as the 2Bman of the future now. Not everyone agreed with this move. Some felt Hoes' prospect status took a dive as a left fielder because he may not have the power to play there. Others feel his power will be enough. My thought is can the Oriole afford a 15-20 home run guy in LF and RF?

Can he be a plus fielder? I'd take a .360 OBP, 12-15 HRs, and good defense from my LFer.

[allstar1579]

I was told that the Orioles have basically moved Hoes to the outfield because they envision Schoop as the 2Bman of the future now. Not everyone agreed with this move. Some felt Hoes' prospect status took a dive as a left fielder because he may not have the power to play there. Others feel his power will be enough. My thought is can the Oriole afford a 15-20 home run guy in LF and RF?

I'm pretty much with you on this. I'm thinking maybe if he can create offense by stealing bases and getting on consistently he might make up for the lack of power though.

[wildcard]

The O's need Adams or someone like him. Someone that can step in if Roberts can't go but who can be optioned to AAA. I could see the O's trading him if they can acquire a majors league ready 2B with a potential to lead off. But barring that Adams probably needs to stick around to start the season.

Andino will start at 2B if Roberts can't. Adams becomes a bench player most of the time. However, Hardy misses time almost every year so Andino has to be available to fill in at SS which makes Adams filling in a 2B even more valuable.

[Frobby]

First thought. IF the O's moved Hoes from 2B, not because they don't think he can cut it there, but because Schoop is seen as the better prospect, then I think that's pretty dumb. I hope it's not true. The Frederick manager says he suggested it to get Hoes more relaxed and to get his bat going. Second thought is that of course the O's can afford two OF's who aren't power hitters. It just depends on what else they bring to the table.

Reading between the lines, Hoes just isn't a very good defensive 2B, not a natural at the position, and the amount of time and energy he was spending trying to master that was distracting him from polishing his hitting. It might have been worth it to keep trying if Schoop hadn't come along, but Schoop is a natural infielder who will be at least solid at 2B if not better, and who may hit as well or better than Hoes. So, Hoes is in the OF.

I'd be more than happy with a 12-15 HR guy in LF so long as he gets on base and defends well. Right now my question is whether Hoes can be a 12-15 HR guy. You are talking about a guy who has hit 16 HR in 1676 PA so far in his minor league career. He had a stretch of about 2-3 weeks where he hit a bunch of doubles and homers this year -- is the light bulb going on, or was that just a fluke? We'll see in 2012.

[JayThomas]

Can he be a plus fielder? I'd take a .360 OBP, 12-15 HRs, and good defense from my LFer.

I prefer .360 OBP, 25 HRs, and average defense from my LFer. Give me Reimold.

[Stotle]

Reading between the lines, Hoes just isn't a very good defensive 2B, not a natural at the position, and the amount of time and energy he was spending trying to master that was distracting him from polishing his hitting. It might have been worth it to keep trying if Schoop hadn't come along, but Schoop is a natural infielder who will be at least solid at 2B if not better, and who may hit as well or better than Hoes. So, Hoes is in the OF.

I'd be more than happy with a 12-15 HR guy in LF so long as he gets on base and defends well. Right now my question is whether Hoes can be a 12-15 HR guy. You are talking about a guy who has hit 16 HR in 1676 PA so far in his minor league career. He had a stretch of about 2-3 weeks where he hit a bunch of doubles and homers this year -- is the light bulb going on, or was that just a fluke? We'll see in 2012.

His physicality is changing, as well. I'd be willing to bet on more power manifesting in-game next summer.