Using a position player roster spot like a rotating bullpen roster spot

[interloper]

I think this is an interesting and somewhat novel way to use a roster spot when you have so many prospects deserving of playing time, but not enough space (or willingness to create space.. ahem.. Frazier) to give it to all of them. So instead, you can rotate a few guys based on matchups, and giving a lot of players a taste of the big leagues. 

Right now it's been limited to the 40-man prospects: Vavra, Stowers, and Ortiz. To get real playing time, these guys in addition to Westburg and Cowser will likely require an injury to the big league team. We'd all love to see Ortiz playing every day at 2B or Stowers every day in RF/DH, but in lieu of that, at least they're making it clear all these guys are important to the team and will see time throughout the year. It's kind of like playing with an expanded roster. We're used to this when it comes to the bullpen or rotation, but less so with position players. As the weather heats up and guys get banged up, I think it could only become more effective. 

Worked well with Ortiz. Now we'll see if Stowers gets a similar amount of run (2/3 games or so vs RHP). If we hit another run of LHP, I fully expect him to go down for Ortiz again. Or Westburg, should they decide to create 40-man space.

Edited May 1, 2023 by interloper

[Aristotelian]

Agreed, I thought it was interesting. If they're not going to let you carry an extra pitcher you might as well find a way to use it to your advantage. I don't recall the Orioles using the extra spot in this way before. I wonder how many times in a season you face 3 LHP's in a row. 

[sportsfan8703]

It's a unique situation because we have younger players and those players have options.  We did some finagling with Steve Pearce before when we were competing.  Sometimes it would be nice to have a third catcher, especially for a double header, so we don't completely lose Adley for a game.  

[ChuckS]

No data to back this up, but I would think it would be more difficult for hitters to adjust to this kind of schedule of being yo-yo'd around compared to a bullpen arm that is already pitching on an irregular schedule. 

Particularly with your higher end prospects, I would not advocate them being shuttled back and forth.