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2009 Orioles hitters in review: Disapointments and bigger disapointments
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With the Orioles’ season long over and the free agent signing period still weeks away, I turned to facebook in the hopes of finding a worthwhile Orioles-related topic to discuss. After surveying 325 of my closest friends, I was prepared to pen a tribute to the only suggestion that tickled my fancy-- Brady Anderson’s sexy abs.
Then I remembered that the world is still waiting for a self-reflexive review of the team’s ’09 individual performance totals. Well, maybe not “the world” but my readers. Well, maybe not “my readers” but the people who somehow stumble upon this page. Well, maybe not…oh, you get the point.
In any event, below are the 2009 statistics for several key Orioles hitters, preceded by my preseason predictions and links to the world-renowned scarcely read Spring prognostication series "Time for an O."
AVG: .282
HR: 16
SB: 27
’09 stats
AVG: .277
HR: 19
SB: 10
The verdict:
Jones’ avg increased from .270 in 2008 to .277. His home run total more than doubled from 9 dingers to 19. I went way too high on stolen bases. Jones has good speed but he isn’t a great base runner and he won’t get the green light too often. Unless you think he would have stolen 16 bases in the last 3 weeks of the season were he healthy. Yeah, that probably would have happened.
My prediction
AVG: .302
HR: 25
SB: 21
’09 stats
AVG: .293
HR: 18
SB: 6
The verdict:
Why did I predict over 20 stolen bases from Markakis? He’s not even that fast. I’ll take the fall for that bad pick, but Markakis is to blame for a 13 point drop in average and decreased power numbers for the 3rd consecutive year. A bit disconcerting for year one of a guy’s six year contract.
My prediction
AB: 484
AVG: .262
SB: 22
’09 stats
AB:252
AVG: .266
SB: 1
The verdict:
Anyone who predicted Felix Pie would get less than 20 at bats in June and July, then rebound to become an everyday player with a .313 average in September, raise your hands. Ok, keep your hands up if you also predicted Pie, one of the fastest players in the majors, would register only one stolen base this season. Anyone ? Anyone?
My prediction
AB: 517
HR: 28
AVG: .278
’09 Stats
AB:410
HR: 11
AVG: .273
The verdict:
Wigginton’s power numbers were down this year and not because the O’s didn’t give him enough plate appearances. It’s because... Wait for it…He’s impatient and not very good.
My prediction
AB: 521
HR: 23
AVG: .273
’09 Stats
AB: 536
HR: 15
AVG: .241
The verdict:
Everyone knew Huff’s numbers would be down, but few would have predicted him tumbling to such poor totals at only 32 years of age. I wouldn’t want to speculate that this big, lumbering clown may have had a few good steroid years. Oh wait. I just did.
My prediction
AB: 323
HR: 14
BA: .244
’09 stats
AB: 449
HR: 25
BA: .258
The verdict:
I was on my way to having major egg on my face until Scott hit .208 with 7 homers in the second half. Still, overall he had a decent year and was one of the team’s only power producers.
My prediction
AB: 215
HR: 4
AVG: .224
The verdict:
Who cares about Gregg Zaun? He started slowly, complained when he lost time to the game’s top prospect, and was shipped to Tampa in August. I’m not even going to look up his numbers. Good riddance.
My prediction
AB: 380
HR: 17
AVG: .283
’09 stats
AB: 354
HR: 9
AVG: .288
The verdict:
Wieters didn’t start to find his power stroke until the second half, when he hit .333 with 4 homers in the season’s final month. He’s a four tool player and should have a long, productive career. He would, however, lose a foot race to a blindfolded 3 legged deer.
The final verdict:
Jones, Markakis, and Pie will never combine for 70 stolen bases. Anyone who thinks they could is sniffing glue. And no, I don’t want to talk about it. It was a difficult time in my life. Otherwise, Wieters’ freshman campaign took a turn for the better just as Scott’s ’09 took a dive but their numbers both managed to even out. Aubrey Huff had an awful '09, but he's somebody else's potty-mouthed problem now anyway.
And after thinking Ty Wigginton was a nifty pickup last season, I will now spend the next six months hoping the O’s sign one-year wonder Russell Branyan or aging slugger Carlos Delgado to take at bats from Wiggy. You won’t let me down next year, Wiggy. Unless you find a way to average less than one pitcher per at bat. Actually, that would be rather impressive.
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