Jonesing for the center fielder
A reporter asked hot-hitting Adam Jones after last night's game whether the ball looks like "a beachball" when he's standing at the plate.
"It looks like a baseball," he replied with a straight face.
So much for cliches.
It was a funny, and honest, response by a player who is only one home run short of his career high in the second week in May. A player who is rolling along like a beachball in the wind, if you will.
"It looks good," he said, "and by staying short and quick to the ball, I'm allowing myself really not to get beat. I don't have to go out there and try to catch up to a fastball because I can already catch up to it by just staying short to the ball."
Feel free to take notes, and hope that you have God-given talent along with shorthand skills.
"I'm not trying to do too much," he said. "My head is clear and I'm trying to stay short to the ball, hit it on the barrel and just run.
"I have confidence every single day. The results, I'd just say, are on my side right now."
Opposing pitchers have noticed.
"I got a bat in my hand," he said. "I'm not going to go up there swinging gingerly. I got three strikes and I'm just trying to make the best of it up there."
He's doing it from the No. 2 spot in the order. Manager Dave Trembley has projected Jones, who enters tonight's game batting .363 with 25 RBIs, to be a No. 5 hitter as the center fielder matures physically. Maybe so, but for now, hitting behind Brian Roberts and ahead of Nick Markakis is working out perfectly.
If it ain't broke...
 |
Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Dear Lord, is Jones hitting!
Tillman had a great outing in Norfolk last night (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2BB, 10K) and is now 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA.
The Bedard trade is looking better and better every day.
I love this guy! He keeps it simple. I think a lot of players these days think too much. Just get the barrel on the ball and run like hell!
You see a guy who is 23, batting .363 with 25 RBIs at the number 2 spot and you know it isn't a fluke and in fact he is going to get even better??
I tell you what fellow O's fans, if we ever need cheering up for when our starting rotation is in shambles and our record is at the bottom...just look out at Center Field and smile!
Years from now, it will be wonderful to be able to say I saw this guy's development into a superstar. Seems to really have his head on straight too, so that will serve him well as his fame grows.
My goodness it was painful, however, to suffer thru another Hendrickson outing. Even the outs were loud; he was getting hammered.
He MUST be removed from the rotation.
The pen, of course, really came thru, and Sherrill actually pitched commandingly.
Morning Roch, Jones is funny...he is serious but yet bubbly..and he is darn good this year as well....when Wieters comes up..wow...what a lineup especially if Wiggy starts hitting..sure hope the pitching gets right...guess I should not ask any pitching questions..you will let us know.
Its a wonderful thing to have two of the best hitting and fielding outfielders on your team! On top of that Jones and Markakis both should be headed to St.Louis in July for All-Star game.
I would plug this guy into #2 permanently. He has the speed. Besides with Markakis and Wieters hitting behind him you just know that this is the production you would always get in this spot from him. With Roberts, Jones, Markakis, and Wieters as your top 4 you have four .300 hitters at the top. Put a guy with a ton of RBI potential at #5. An Aubrey Huff or an Adrian Beltre will do just fine.
Imagine Jones batting in the 5th hole and front of a hot Weiters in the 6th hole with Huff in the 4th hole.
I think Andrew is being his usual indecisive and cannot pull the strings to bring people up.
A lineup of
Roberts
Montanez
Markakis
Huff
Jones
Weiters
Mora
Reimold
Ituzu
Can hit with the best of them. And Andrew while you are at it, bring up Tillman, Berken and Patton and release Eaton, Hendrickson. While you are at it, trade Baez, Walker and Sherril. This is the year where we are not expected to win, but are expected to tranisition. And Andrew is not able to show he can exectue a plan neverless have one.. This would mean you made mistakes and we all know you are perfect.
Erik who?
Love this guy. Particularly if Tillman turns out to be the real deal--which he certainly appears to be, the Bedard trade may go down as one of the best trades in the history of the franchise.
I hope Pie is okay but this could turn out perfectly for the Orioles. Since they can't go with a two man bench tonight, DL Pie for 15 days, bring up Reimold and have him platoon with Lou. With a little more playing time going to Reimold, he has earned it this spring. Pie can take a 15 day vacation to work on the fundamentals then take a week rehab in AAA to hopefully find his swing. Then the Orioles can send either Lou or Reimold down to activate Pie.
Was anyone Jonesing about the dropped ball he had in CF? Dave Johnson has been all over him about his defense, playing too shallow, not using two hands when catching the ball, basically being too nonchalant. Hopefully, he will soon learn it is about substance and not style.
Do you think that AM will think to lock him up to a long term contract like the Ray's did with Longoria or will we go thru the years of wondering if he would resign with the O's when he is no longer under their control? Wouldn't it save money in the long run? Is there any doubt that Adam will be a superstar for years to come?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They'll probably give him the Markakis treatment and attempt to lock him up toward the end of his arbitration years. Just a guess. - Roch
How awesome is Adam Jones and how lucky are we to have him! I have never been so happy to be so incredibly wrong in reference to him hitting in the 2 spot. I could try to be more wrong, but would not be successful.
Roch, let me guess. You were up this early because you had to take your daughter to school?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the usual routine. Now she wants her turkey and cheese sandwiches for lunch on the mini bagels I used to give her for breakfast. Not quite as simple when you're working with less bread and you're half asleep, but I'm making it happen. - Roch
Yes Jones and Markakis is having an All-Star caliber year. But unfortunately we as Orioles fans should not be dissapointed if the best players at that position are not represented. We deal with it each time Trembley makes a lineup and places the likes of zaun and Pie in there instead of Weiters and Reimold who should be in this lineup by now, Andrew is like the Yankee and Boston fans, they do as they see fit regardless of what should be done.
ESPN said he is the CF currently closest to being Wille Mays. I'll take 70% of that and run with it.
Jason C: Adrian Beltre? Are you nuts? The guy has been slightly above average for the Mariners while making $13.4m per year. He consistently has more strike outs than RBIs. Only twice has he had more than 90 RBIs in a year and one of those seasons was his contract year.
If Andrew signs Beltre or trades for him, I think it will be time for the men in white coats from Sheperd Prat to visit the Warehouse.
Jason C: Adrian Beltre would only have a ton of RBIs in his contract year...that seems to be the only time he shows up...haha.
But seriously, the kid is good, and is going to be great. I hope they get him signed to an extension much like Markakis. I wonder if he can pitch? Just about anything is better than Hendrickson at this point. Eaton is even better.
If Tillman could get through 7 by throwing 95 pitches, I'd say bring him up, but with MacPhail's undying stance on pitch counts, I think Tillman would only get through 5 in the majors. Sure, he strikes everybody out, but that can hurt you if you aren't allowed to throw 100+ pitches. The way MacPhail treats those pitch counts, the team IS going o need a 13 man staff come June because the relievers are going to be spent.
Adam Jones' BABIP is over .400.. so I fully expect his average to come down some over the course of the season, but I don't think anyone expects him to hit .360 anyways.
Roch, if Pie wasn't on the roster, who would play CF if Jones got hurt in-game?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depends who else is on the roster. Reimiold if he's been called up. Or Montanez. - Roch
Ray - they have to spell it "rediculous" because they've used up the "i" by misspelling "Berkin". Of course, it probably really is "Berkin" but it reads "Berken" in all the team reports because of our incompetent GM.
People can continue to bash Pie, or they can note that his defense has improved quite a bit and he's been an effective hitter this month (five times on base in twelve plate appearances).
The argument isn't whether Arrieta-Tillman-Matusz could outperform our poor rotation filler material right now (even adherents to "don't-rush-the-prospects" generally agree they easily could), it's what bringing them up now does to their performance in future seasons. Is "putting the best team on the field," even if it's a 4th place team struggling for a .500 record, really worth a 2011 rotation featuring pitchers comparable to the current versions of Daniel Cabrera, Scott Kazmir, and Jeremy Bonderman? If you believe it is, welcome to another 11 years of no playoffs. Prospects who are a little older, have better control, and pitched solid innings totals last year are more viable options in my opinion. Hence Bergesen in the rotation, and I'd also welcome Berken getting a shot.
Roch, you forgot to post the transactions.... You know that Felix Pie has been placed on waivers, and Nolan Reimolds contract has been purchased.
2 that Mark Hendrickson has been placed on US Air flight 187 to Alaska and Tillmans contract has been purchased. And Adam Eaton has been placed on the 162 day inneffective list and Hill has been activated from the DL. Oh, and that Weiters has been called up from Norfolk while Chad Moeller was just twittered a "Thank, Andy" message on his facebook.
You fogot all that. Or is that your noon update?
jones seems to be more advanced at this juncture of his career than markakis was and that says a lot. looking down the road it's safe to say reimold will be given a shot at lf which would leave montanez as 4th of and dh and maybe a little first base. other than moore do the orioles have any prospects they are high on for 3rd base? same question for shortstop? and when would these projected prospects be expected to perhaps be with the big league club? also roberts is in a bad slump and the other night jim hunter mentioned roberts had a bad back..any news on that? and tonite big prediction..caps 2 pens 1
I started watching just as the fireworks stopped. I did get to see Pie's weak AB, but I guess if you have the runs, it is tough to hit. Now I have seen every excuse known to man.... I couldn't believe it (but then I did) when everyone is standing around & no LFer. What is this Rec ball? Pie couldn't tell SOMEONE he was going to the crapper?
Even this FO should see the golden opportunity before them.... DL Pie NOW, leave him there the full 15 & let him go to the minors for his Rehab games , take the full allotment of games allowed & see how he does. Maybe it jumps starts him? Maybe he folds like a cheap tent, regardless, they get their answers without wasting ML ABs to do it. They can bring up Reimold or Salazar in the mean time.
Anyone wanna take more swipes at Montanez? He had a fairly good game...again.
Jones is impressive, but he ought to start using 2 hands in the OF.
Roch,
Got an idea for you. Just tossing it out you can knock it out of the park if you'd like.
Moeller probably won't be with the team in June. Why not trade him to the Yankees who clearly are hurting at catcher? I hear there is a prospect in the minors we could bring up later in June who can play sparingly day games after night games and pick up more ABs in July.
This is of course assuming there is anything in that organization that we would even want. Doc had his way with wayward bombers. Backup to the Backup Catcher had a costly misplayed ball at the plate.
Special kid its good to see someone go from loving football and basketball to baseball.
Roch how long do we have him under contract?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He isn't eligible for arbitration, so a long time. - Roch
Huff wants to be here. No signs that last year was a fluke. He takes next years line-up from very strong to scary because of the protection he offers to Markakis and Weiters who protect Jones and Roberts. His glove is better than Wigginton's and unless Mora takes a big paycut (which he might), we will need Huff's production. Beltre is certainly an option but why mess with a good thing? The Orioles seem to use that to justify all of their non-moves.
I would like Tillman to have 2-3 starts where he goes 7+ with a solid WHIP still before he gets the nod. There is no question he is ready in terms of stuff, but there really is no rush. Patton should be brought up unless he is tender between starts still. Probably time for Reimold to jump in the mix. If he makes decisions even tougher, so be it. I really wanted to see Weiters in Columbus at the end of May but I suppose I may just have to watch him on MASN.
mstrchef13, don't worry, I don't think anyone gives 2 "reasons for a 4th inning delay" about anything B_O says any longer, if they ever did at all.
His head must weigh a ton because it's obviously filled with rocks.
And he still thinks Oscar is a SS because he played there 5 years ago.
No one in the clubhouse has swagger like Jones!
I loved Jim Palmer's "Oh no..." when Montanez was heading home. Without the baserunning miscues we couldve had 7 runs in that inning.
I was sitting behind 1B about 13 rows back and I don't think I have ever seen a ball hit that hard in a long time as Adam Jones 3 RBI shot. I don't think it got more than 15 feet off the ground. The LF took one short step back then stopped, glove never was raised above his waist. Didn't turn around. The sound was astounding.
Roch,
WOW! I LOVE Jone's game. And he's only 23... in that born in the U.S., no-fake birth certificate kind of way. He's only going to get better in CF. I have only two words to explain the trade that brought him here: Highway Robbery.
Roch, do you see 500 homeruns in Jones future?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This season? I don't think he cracks 400. OK, seriously, that's asking a lot at this stage of his career, but the ceiling on this kid is ridiculously high, so I won't dismiss it. - Roch
I don't get Trembley's number 5 slot comment. Maybe I'm not an old baseball guy, and don't understand you shouldn't have one of your best hitters guaranteed an at-bat in the 1st inning. Plus Adam's got tremendous speed, so why slot him in 5? Seems to me we're scoring more runs in the first inning than any other inning over the course of the season. I'd attribute that to Roberts, Jones, Markakis batting 1-2-3 and Huff protecting Markakis. Last year we had Millar protecting Markakis and we all know how well that went. I'm with you Roch. If it ain't broke...
Brian, Pie did tell DT that he was not feeling well. DT tried to stall the umpires and had Wiggy on stand-by if Pie didn't have a quick recovery.
Adam Jones was a guy I was excited about going into last year and he has easily become my favorite current Oriole. I like his personality too, and he seems to have a dry humor about him in his interviews. Thank you Bill Bavasi!!!
BLS said:
Brian, Pie did tell DT that he was not feeling well. DT tried to stall the umpires and had Wiggy on stand-by if Pie didn't have a quick recovery.
That's not what DT said in his press conference. He said he didn't knwo where he was or what was up. Also, why would DT have to go looking for him if he knew where he was? Not very professional...
I know they probably won't do it - but think if the O's sign free agent pitcher Erik Bedard in the off season.... Jones, Sherrill, Tillman, and Mickolio for free....
JPA,
I couldn't agree with you more, we should resign Huff ASAP. We have no other prospects at 1st base, and he looks real good in the middle of this line up. He seems to be doing well enough at 1st base. I've been saying this all winter, why not lock him up for 3 more years? He's only 31.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but I still don't understand why Hendrickson started last nite. Wouldn't it have made sense to skip his start? Why push everyone back a day, it seemed like Guthrie was just getting going. I would think they would want to keep Guthrie, Uehara, Bergesen on a regular 5 day rutine. You watch, Guthrie will be all out of sync in his next start. And Bergusen will get hit hard. Sinker ballers work better when there a little tired.
I hate to say it, but I'm starting to question weather Trembley is the right guy. I like his respect for the game, but he seems to get caught a little flat footed every now and then. You watch guys like Mike Socsia, and Joe Madden, these guys are always one step ahead. I don't mind getting beat my a better team, but we seem to beat ourselfs a lot.
Brian,
Than I am hearing conflicting reports. I had heard and read that DT had Wiggy on stand-by and sent a trainer to see if Pie was going to make it because he knew he was in the clubhouse not feeling well.
Everyone calling Andy names and questioning his ability really needs to take a step back and look at the organization. All the players you are clamoring for in Wieters, Tillman, Hill, and Jones were brought in by Andy. Without Andy MacPhail our pitching depth is no where close to what it is right now. We saw too many Daniel Cabreras, Adam Loewens, Hayden Penns, and Matt Rileys have careers ruined by mismanagement. Lets take our time and look at these guys on an individual basis. Andy knows what he is doing and he has got our offense set for years to come and he will have pitching in that same position in the next 18 or so months. Give the man some time. Calm down. And most of all enjoy watching the development of these young players. Andy knows what he is doing. You calling him incompetent really makes you lose all credibility.
AJ is the real deal. And I like his response. He's going to be one of the faces of this franchise when they start making playoff runs. I love what he's doing and am really looking forward to watching his career in the future. He's gonna be a stud.
Eric Bedard will have to win 3 or 4 Cy Youngs to make our trade Jonsey and Sherrill anywhere near reasonable for Seattle. How could they let this kid go. His whole approach to the game and his incredible skills remind me more of Frank Robinson every time I watch him. Andy Macphail has a lifetime pass from me just for pulling off that trade.
I agree with TWA's comment at 11:13am. Bring back Bedard for one or two years if he stays healthy and continues to perform. He'll be more appreciative to be back in Baltimore, and brings stability to the top of our rotation.
I know that I'm in the minority, but I think that it could work, with 2 or 3 of the "kids" close behind him in the rotation.
Now I know how the Astros felt when they dumped Glenn Davis on us. Roch was Adam Jones even the marque player in the Bedard deal or was he a throw-in?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He was the centerpiece. The first player the Orioles sought. Tillman and Sherrill the others. Mariners wanted to stop right there, but MacPhail held out for Mickolio and Butler. - Roch
I have noticed that Mr. Tyler has not been at the games recently. Do you know why?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm told he hasn't felt well for a few games, but he's still been at the ballpark. - Roch
I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Bedard back, but I don't know that we really need him. It would depend on his attitude.