Player Profiles: Manny Machado
The Baltimore Orioles have had one of the best third baseman in the history of baseball in Brooks Robinson. Enter Manny Machado who came up to the Majors at the young age of 19.
The Orioles drafted Machado in the 2010 MLB draft, he was the third overall pick. Machado made his Major League debut in 2012, his first full season was in 2013. Machado is one of the reasons for the Orioles return to winning and was a major reason why the Orioles had the best defense in baseball history in 2013.
Machado never really played third base in the minors, he spent most of his time playing short stop. With little practice at third base the Orioles brought Machado up and had him play third everyday.
Defensively Machado is one of the best defenders I have ever seen play the game. Machado’s knock on him as a prospect was that he would make lazy errors, this has not been seen at the Major League level. Machado won the Platinum Glove in 2013 being voted the best defender in league.
Machado does not lack offensively, still developing as a hitter he has a career .279 average and 21 home runs prior to the 2014 season. Machado has been a doubles machine and hits the balks to all fields. There are no real wholes in Machado’s game offensively or defensively.
Machado’s stellar play has made him a fan favorite in Baltimore and is one of Buck Showalter’s favorite players.
I worry that the Orioles may over use Machado, his knee injury late in 2013 was evidence of that. It is so hard to take Machado out of the lineup but I think he needs some rest.
The future is bright for Machado and I think he will be an All-Star for years. If Machado stays healthy and keeps his head on straight I can see him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Here are some of Machado’s stats.
