DC MLB Preview: Baltimore Orioles

2008 Record: 68-93

Key Additions:
Ty Wigginton (3B)
Rich Hill (P)
Gregg Zaun (C)
David Pauley (P)
Felix Pie (CF)
Mark Hendrickson (P)
Cesar Izturis (SS)

Key Losses:
Jay Payton (LF)
Kevin Millar (1B)
Adam Loewen (P)

Projected Lineup:
1. Brian Roberts 2B
2. Melvin Mora 3B
3. Nick Markakis RF
4. Aubrey Huff 1B
5. Adam Jones CF
6. Luke Scott DH
7. Gregg Zaun C
8. Cesar Izturis SS
9. Felix Pie LF

This lineup is actually very underrated. Aubrey Huff had a great year last season, and there is enough around him for the Orioles to put up some runs. Markakis is a stud, and will be for a long time. Adam Jones came on at the end of last season, and I expect him to keep improving. Brian Roberts finally decided to stay with the team, and he is a great leadoff hitter. Obviously everyone is waiting for Wieters to be added to this already decent lineup.

Projected Rotation:
1. Jeremy Guthrie
2. Koji Uehara
3. Rich Hill
4. A. Eaton
5. Danys Baez

CL: George Sherrill

Chris Ray is finally back from his Tommy John surgery, and it will be interesting to see if he can regain his role as the closer (I think he will by mid season). Baltimore's rotation is why they aren't going to do anything this year. Guthrie is solid, but after that it's really a joke. The good thing is they are loaded in the minors with arms, so they will just have to wait a little longer before they can turn it around.

Minors Watch:
Matt Wieters (C) - The next big thing to come out of the minors. He won't start the year in the MLB, but he is not far off. If the scouts are right this could be a 35+ HR hitting catcher, who is also good on defense.

Chris Tillman (P) - Ace in waiting with overpowering stuff. Ahead of the curve for his age. Might see him as a mid season call up, but no reason to rush him, since he is only 20 years old.

Jake Arrieta (P) - Not as polished as Tillman, but has just as much upside.

Overall:
The Orioles finally seems like they are building some kind of team. Their record has gotten worse each of the past 4 seasons, and this one will be no different as they develop these young guys. Look out for this team in 2011.

Record: 64-97