Baltimore Orioles

BALTIMORE ORIOLES



The Orioles have the toughest spot in all of baseball. They are underachievers who will never realize their potential because they play in the toughest division in all of baseball. The owners aren't willing to spend (unless your name is Mark Texiera) and ultimately, they will never be able to compete with the Yanks or Red Sox.

Aubrey Huff: Aubrey Huff is probably one of the most underrated players in the league because he plays for the O's. He has had some very good years, notably last year (.304 32 HR's, 48 2B's, 96 Runs and 106 RBI's). Now put someone like him on the Red Sox and it'd be scary to see what he could do. He will always be underpaid and overlooked, but of all the Orioles, he's the cream of the crop. He's another year older, but I expect him to remain solid and hover around the same numbers.
ABK:7 ABB:11

Brian Roberts: Roberts will do alot of everything for you (minus homeruns). In a thin second base position, he should be in the top four. He always is rumored to be traded and I have a feeling this will be the year as the O's find their way out of playoff contention early. Last year he scored 107 runs, knocked in 57 RBI's and stole 40 bases. He also had 8 triples, which is ridiculous. He will bat around .300 and be a very vital part of your team.

Melvin Mora: Mora is such a streaky player that he is only worth owning if you grab him off the waiver wire when he starts to get hot. Year in and year out he has these crazy spurts of greatness, but he has the coldness to level it out, and maybe even hurt you. Take last year for instance. From March to June, he batted .230, 10 HR's 39 RBI and 35 Runs. Then he got hot. In June, his average was .311, August- .418, and September .306. In those three months he hit 13 HR's, 65 RBI's and scored 42 times. He should go undrafted considering the quality depth at 3rd base. He could help at some point off the waiver wire. ABK:7 ABB:14

Nick Markakis: Markakis is connecting more with the baseball and is about ready to have his breakout year. Although Huff is the best producer on this team right now, Markakis is poised to breakout. He had somewhat of a down year last year but was still solid overall, considering his opportunities to produce on such a futile team. I can easily say with confidence that he will bat .300, knock in 100 runs and score 100 runs. I'll peg him for 30 Hr's also. ABK: 5 ABB: 6

For the rest of the team, I don't feel they are really draftable. At some point in the season they may be of help to you, like Adam Jones or Luke Scott, but overall- this team is headed for last place in their division. Their pitchers are sorry (none of the 5 projected starters had a winning record and combined for a 29-35 record). George Sherrill got a little recognition last year, but was really all hype. He had 31 saves, a 3-5 record and a whopping 4.73 ERA. I can tell you right now that that's way too high.

There is speculation that the Orioles will bring up highly touted minor leaguer Matt Wieters to play catcher but don't believe the hype or reach too high for him. I was able to get Longoria in almost the last round of every draft last year and he proved to be worth it. However, the Orioles will most likely sign a veteran catcher to start over their current starter, Guillermo Quiroz and his .187 AVG. Wieters could make the club, but I expect it to be much later in the season than people are saying.


Team MVP: Nick Markakis Team LVP: Pitchers