The middle infielders depth chart

[Frobby]

I’m sure Tony probably plans a full depth chart at some point, but I thought the placement of the middle infielders was particularly noteworthy.  

Norfolk: Bannon, Jones, Martin, McCoy

Bowie: Vavra, Grenier

Aberdeen: Hall, Ortiz, Graffanino

Delmarva: Henderson, Hernaiz, Westburg, Servideo

Greg Cullen, acquired in the Tommy Milone trade, doesn’t appear to be on a roster.   Somewhat surprising considering he posted a .794 OPS in the Sally League in 2019.   

I omitted a few guys at Bowie who I consider non-prospects.   
 

 

[Tony-OH]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

Greg Cullen, acquired in the Tommy Milone trade, doesn’t appear to be on a roster.   Somewhat surprising considering he posted a .794 OPS in the Sally League in 2019.   

Good catch. I imagine he must be injured since I have to imagine he would have made a team.

[Just Regular]

Having wondered about the two "thoroughbreds" and who might get a stretch to Bowie, and who would settle for Aberdeen,  Delmarva/Delmarva feels like bogey/bogey, with very little credit for alternate site development is being given.   Granted Bowie next week would be aggressive for either one, but it isn't like the club didn't hype some.   One of them instantly is not getting everyday SS reps, but perhaps that projection for at least one of them is already in ink.

I guess it is okay to make them check a box, but it'll be discouraging if they can't get out of the Sally fast.   High school class of 2020 guys will make Sally teams.   What will Gunnar think of them after Bruce Zimmermann??

A few 2019 minor league first full seasons for 2018 draft infielders in Late 1st/Compensation range:

NCAA:

1-24 Nico Hoerner - 70 AA games, 20 MLB games (he was a notable fast track as old Cubs crumbled)

1-37 Cadyn Grenier - 80 Sally games, 20 High-A games  (though Westburg has SEC + less "reach" factor in his draft class)

High School:

1-26 Triston Casas - 120 Sally   (e.g., what would have been fine for Gunnar last year, I doubt the Red Sox are having Casas repeat)

1-38 Xavier Edwards - 75 Midwest, 45 High-A   

These placements do make me reassess the Joey Ortiz strong sell on the MLB.com piece the other day some too, as preparing the ground.   Isn't it exciting JOEY ORTIZ will be at ABERDEEN!!!

I suppose ultimately the best Orioles playing baseball anywhere is still good.    They have enough summer to play their way into AFL consideration even starting here.

 

 

[Sports Guy]

I don’t like having all those guys in Aberdeen.

[connja]

Be interesting to see the knock on impact if one of the AAA guys gets promoted.  Unless Ruiz or Urias picks it up soon, we're gonna have to try something different at 2b.

[Frobby]

1 hour ago, connja said:

Be interesting to see the knock on impact if one of the AAA guys gets promoted.  Unless Ruiz or Urias picks it up soon, we're gonna have to try something different at 2b.

Jahmai Jones hit very well in the alt site games with the Nats.  It will be interesting  to see if that carries over to Norfolk.  

[Frobby]

On 4/30/2021 at 4:30 PM, Frobby said:

I’m sure Tony probably plans a full depth chart at some point, but I thought the placement of the middle infielders was particularly noteworthy.  

Norfolk: Bannon, Jones, Martin, McCoy

Bowie: Vavra, Grenier

Aberdeen: Hall, Ortiz, Graffanino

Delmarva: Henderson, Hernaiz, Westburg, Servideo

Greg Cullen, acquired in the Tommy Milone trade, doesn’t appear to be on a roster.   Somewhat surprising considering he posted a .794 OPS in the Sally League in 2019.   

I omitted a few guys at Bowie who I consider non-prospects.   

By now, Vavra, Ortiz and Servideo have all missed substantial time with injuries, which is a shame.  Henderson and Westburg have moved up to Aberdeen.  Carmona was promoted to Delmarva and is playing regularly at 2B.  Cullen is at Bowie.   Richie Martin is rehabbing at Bowie now.  

Looking at how the healthy players have been used:

McCoy 47 SS, 7 3B, 5 2B, 4 OF

Jones 39 2B, 8 LF

Bannon 28 3B, 9 2B

Grenier 57 SS, 8 2B, 1 3B

Cullen 22 2B, 7 3B

Westburg 41 SS, 24 3B

Henderson 34 SS, 28 3B

Hall 30 2B, 12 SS, 12 CF

Graffanino 32 2B, 6 SS, 3 3B

Hernaiz 30 SS, 19 2B, 7 3B

Carmona 12 SS, 11 3B, 7 2B
 

 

[Just Regular]

If we don't buy a shortstop, I am honestly curious the next few years to see if an everyday shortstop can grow out of this deployment.

I have the shortstops play shortstop shtick and in the offseason looked at the minor league track records of the top 30-35 incumbent MLB shortstops for 2021.

Except for Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Paul DeJong, I believe just about everyone played 90%+ minor league games there.  I have as a prior that 60% minor league shortstops are very likely not to stay there, but grant the modernization of Orioles PD might challenge that.

I'd still feel better if any one of them went to near 100% deployment, and think they are like quarterbacks in the sense that if you've got two, you've got none.

[Frobby]

7 minutes ago, OrioleDog said:

If we don't buy a shortstop, I am honestly curious the next few years to see if an everyday shortstop can grow out of this deployment.

I have the shortstops play shortstop shtick and in the offseason looked at the minor league track records of the top 30-35 incumbent MLB shortstops for 2021.

Except for Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Paul DeJong, I believe just about everyone played 90%+ minor league games there.  I have as a prior that 60% minor league shortstops are very likely not to stay there, but grant the modernization of Orioles PD might challenge that.

I'd still feel better if any one of them went to near 100% deployment, and think they are like quarterbacks in the sense that if you've got two, you've got none.

I think the O’s brass clearly value versatility, and they do have a lot of potential shortstops and want to give them all a good look this year.  I’m guessing next year they’ll sort it out more.  

[Matt Bennett]

Wanted to shoutout Mason McCoy’s bat ticking up lately. Same time Jahmai Jones offensive production has been trending down. Has played mostly SS in Richie Martin’s absence. 

.301/.378/.562 in the last 28 days 

 

[RZNJ]

3 minutes ago, Matt Bennett said:

Wanted to shoutout Mason McCoy’s bat ticking up lately. Same time Jahmai Jones offensive production has been trending down. Has played mostly SS in Richie Martin’s absence. 

.301/.378/.562 in the last 28 days 

 

Gotta admire how he has grinded his way up the ladder.  Showing a little power lately.   They actually had him in CF last night, I think.

 

Good post to bring attention to him.   

[Frobby]

Agreed on McCoy.  He did strike out with two runners on to end last night’s game in extra innings, though.   

[RZNJ]

4 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Agreed on McCoy.  He did strike out with two runners on to end last night’s game in extra innings, though.   

You managed to find a cloud in the silver lining.  Nice job!  

[sportsfan8703]

On 4/30/2021 at 4:30 PM, Frobby said:

I’m sure Tony probably plans a full depth chart at some point, but I thought the placement of the middle infielders was particularly noteworthy.  

Norfolk: Bannon, Jones, Martin, McCoy

Bowie: Vavra, Grenier

Aberdeen: Hall, Ortiz, Graffanino

Delmarva: Henderson, Hernaiz, Westburg, Servideo

Greg Cullen, acquired in the Tommy Milone trade, doesn’t appear to be on a roster.   Somewhat surprising considering he posted a .794 OPS in the Sally League in 2019.   

I omitted a few guys at Bowie who I consider non-prospects.   
 

 

The depth has gotten better as the season has gone on and with promotions,

AAA - McCoy, Bannon, Martin

AA - Westburg, Grenier, Vavra, 

A+ - Gunnar, Hall

A - Mayo, Norby, Burns, Hernaiz

DL - Joey Ortiz

Deeper depth, better quality, and guys are pushing each other for ABs. Norfolk might get a house cleaning. 

[RZNJ]

1 hour ago, sportsfan8703 said:

The depth has gotten better as the season has gone on and with promotions,

AAA - McCoy, Bannon, Martin

AA - Westburg, Grenier, Vavra, 

A+ - Gunnar, Hall

A - Mayo, Norby, Burns, Hernaiz

DL - Joey Ortiz

Deeper depth, better quality, and guys are pushing each other for ABs. Norfolk might get a house cleaning. 

Servideo (DL)

Cullen (DL)