Orioles midseason report card 2022: Part Three the middle infielders
The Baltimore Orioles just finished their first series since the All-Star break, falling to the Yankees two out of three games in a three game home series. The Orioles are one game under .500 with a 47-48 record. So far I have graded the outfielders in part one of this series and catchers and first base in part two. Here I will be grading the middle infielders, the shortstops, second baseman’s and third base. If there is any big position of need for the Orioles it would be the middle infield.
Second Baseman
Rougned Odor: Odor has had an interesting season, some clutch hits, good defense, power but overall not very good. Odor is a veteran player and it seems like all he wants to do is pull a home run out of the ball park. Odor is an energy guy but a .201 average and a .390 slugging is not getting it done. The Orioles have better options in the minors, aka Jordan Westburg for starting second baseman. Grade D+
Richie Martin: Martin has not had many opportunities at the big league level, and he’s a guy that the Orioles want to get regular at bats. Martin has had a great year at AAA and been solid when he has been recalled. Martin plays great defense at several positions and has a lot of speed. Martin came up and was hot early but is not at AAA after his average dipped to .167. Martin just did not have much of a chance to play regularly. Grade Incomplete
Jonathan Arauz: Arauz was acquired off waivers from the Boston Red Sox midseason. Arauz has not had much playing time and has a .167 average with one home run. Another player that is on the roster as a head scratch while better talent is at AAA. Grade E
Shortstop
Jorge Mateo: Mateo has been hot lately and can be one of the Orioles most exciting players. Usually Mateo hits ninth and it is hard to get him out of the lineup. Mateo has pure speed and plays elite defense at shortstop. Offensively, if Mateo can get on base it is almost an automatic run. The trouble is getting Mateo on base, he only has a .210 average and does have some power with seven home runs. Mateo has 23 stolen bases which leads the team. Mateo just seems to be a guy with a lot of potential waiting to be unlocked. Grade C+
Third Base
Ramon Urias: Ramon got off to a semi slow start but has been hot ever since coming back from a minor injury. Ramon hits the ball all over the field and has some power with 10 home runs. Urias has a .263 average and OPS of .762 which is fourth on the Orioles. Defensively Urias plays outstanding third base and where ever else the Orioles may put him. Urias is one of the only middle infielders that has secured a position. Grade B+
Tyler Nevin: Nevin has been back and fourth between AAA and the Orioles. Nevin has struggled offensively and has played average defensively. Nevin has played sparingly and has a .200 average with two home runs. A plus side to Nevin’s game is a really good batting eye. Grade D
