Orioles plan to select the contract of INF Manny Machado

[Eutaw]

#leggo

#wheelsup

iPhone 4 Tapatalk Master Race Out

[baltfan]

I'm pretty excited and now thinking about going to the game tomorrow night... but my head tells me this is probably a mistake. One good week is great but we're going to jump a 19 year old from just-holding-his-own in AA to the majors? Not to mention the potential lost FA year...

Those of you who want to see the Orioles take risks for a playoff spot this season are getting your prayers answered, for sure.

Pretty exciting.

We might not be in this position again in the next few years. You have to take a shot. It won't kill him if he isn't ready. He has struggled and overcome it at other levels.

[Malike]

I'll tell you this. If MLB.TV pulls the same **** tomorrow with the links for the game not working, and I don't get to see the debut, my work monitor is going to have some .40 cal holes in it.

[soxhotcorner14]

Currently trailing and fighting for our first playoff spot in 14 years = "no pressure"? Huh.

Jim, tell me where a coach is asking him to carry the team? Its not a sink or swim situation. Its come in and bat 7th and get your feet wet. So no, there is no pressure but to be himself and play baseball. He's got a cast around him to protect him.

[Ven6]

Currently trailing and fighting for our first playoff spot in 14 years = "no pressure"? Huh.

SoxHotCorner, a guy who has played the game, has pointed out the very big difference of bringing up a highly rated top prospect when the going is good, vs bringing that same highly rated guy up when the going is bad and expecting him to save the world. Not sure what you don't get here. Oh, I remember, you're to DD what JTrea was to AM.

[Ven6]

Jim, tell me where a coach is asking him to carry the team? Its not a sink or swim situation. Its come in and bat 7th and get your feet wet. So no, there is no pressure but to be himself and play baseball. He's got a cast around him to protect him.

SHC, you think Buck might go so far as to even say to him "you're here to field grounders and make throws, anything you do offensively is a bonus"?

[bdlj0887]

Just think how this differs from when Wieters got called up. Team already in the cellar, had the SAVIOR moniker tagged on him.

I think quite a few people, including me, still feel a little burned by Wieters. Of course, he's still a very good player. The situations are completely different though, you're right.

[wompfump]

If you can play in AA, you can play in the bigs. Simple as that. The game isn't that much different.

LOL, what?

[soxhotcorner14]

Just think how this differs from when Wieters got called up. Team already in the cellar, had the SAVIOR moniker tagged on him.

There is a perfect example. I was waiting for someone to point it out. Didn't have to look very far of an example of what not to do. Good post.

[joedogg9999]

Man im pumped. Maybe this is why they didnt feel headley was worth all that.im excited because he sures up 3b defensively and he cant hit much worse than our current awful 3b platoon

Bryce harper had identical AA numbers and he was an mlb all star. I beleive the idea of rushing prospects is just dumb. Bringing a guy up this early isnt going to ruin his career. He will get it eventually and what he could learn in AA he will learn a lot faster in the bigs. Good move considering our defensive deficiency at third

[notfast]

Baseball Tonite teased the O's "big news"

[bluedog]

A good 10 game run is a good start, but not enough to have earned his way up here. Not yet anyways. Who else should they call up to replace Flaherty? If looking for middle infielders, the cupboard is pretty bare.

sfosfan

I don't think the 10 game run is what earned his promotion. I think he's hit well enough all year long to warrant a promotion if the O's truly believe that he can handle the pressure of being in the majors. The 10 game stretch may have triggered the promotion, but he's been a top run producer for Bowie all season.

[RVAbird]

If you can play in AA, you can play in the bigs. Simple as that. The game isn't that much different.

All due respect, and I know you've played the game professionally, but it's not as simple as that. I understand it's a great mentality to have as a player (it's still the same game I've been playing since I was a child, relax, no pressure, go out and play etc.) but all you need to do is look at the percentage of players in MiLB history who've succeeded in AA and failed in MLB.

Once again, you've got the right attitude for a coach or player, but you're wrong. I don't flat-out challenge those with pro experience on many points, but I feel comfortable with this one.

[isestrex]

If true, either supremely stupid or brilliant. There is no in-between.

Best post of the thread. This could be Mike Trout... or it could ruin Machado's career. I mean, I say I have faith in DD and Buck but this is really pushing it. This is really gutsy.

As for the comparisons to Harper... Over the past month he's hitting .182 AVG with a .543 OPS. It's really looking like Harper wasn't quite ready for the big show quite yet. And now the Orioles are gambling that Machado will prove to catch up to big league pitching quicker and better than Harper.

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[bluedog]

Just think how this differs from when Wieters got called up. Team already in the cellar, had the SAVIOR moniker tagged on him.

This is a GREAT point. Machado will be expected to play average defense and average offense, not to put the team on his shoulders and lead them out of the wilderness. Can't get a much safer environment than coming in as the #8 or 9 hitter, at home against the worst team in the AL when the team is already playing very well and on a long win streak.