Grade-A Andino
I won't make the Wally Pipp comparison, but Cesar Izturis' appendectomy has created an opportunity for Robert Andino to play every day. And he's seizing it with gusto.
Andino drove in three runs yesterday, matching his total for the entire season. He's batting .257, which opens your eyes when you consider that he hit .201 in 144 at-bats over parts of four seasons with the Florida Marlins. He's showing off tremendous range and soft hands in the field.
What does it all mean?
It means Andino will go back to the bench when Izturis returns, though it won't be for a while. Izturis isn't expected to begin baseball-related activities until he joins the Orioles in Miami for next week's series against the Marlins. And there's no rush.
We shouldn't forget that Izturis was playing his usual stellar defense, and also hitting .260 - including .298 with runners in scoring position and .360 with RISP and two outs. That's a bonus.
Andino is proving that he belongs on the roster, that he's a capable backup who could evolve into more as he gains additional experience. And that should be enough for now.
This is still Izturis' job, but Andino looks a lot more comfortable in the field than earlier this season, when he seemed to bobble every ball hit to him. And he can handle the bat better than advertised.
"Playing once a week, not playing every day, the more at-bats, the more pitches I see, the more comfortable I should be," he said.
"In Florida, you saw who was playing shortstop (Hanley Ramirez), so that was limited. It's a blessing to be over here. Izturus is a good friend of mine, so you don't want that to happen to him. But you just try to have fun, help the team win."
Blake Davis made another solid impression on the Orioles during spring training, and he's close to returning to the field after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured foot. He'll push for a roster spot next season. So will Justin Turner, who is on Triple-A Norfolk's disabled list with a sore wrist. But Andino is firmly in the mix.
He just has to keep doing what he's doing. As manager Dave Trembley always says, competition is a good thing, it's a healthy thing. And it tends to heat up when a starter no longer has his good health.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Roch,
Thank you for bringing the Kool Aid drinkers back down to earth. Some of the muppets on here were ready to annoint him the new starting SS. He is what he is, a capable backup player.
I like Turner and Davis, but are they both pretty inexperienced at positions other than 2B and SS, respectively? I thought Andino had experience at both middle infield spots. If so, that gives him a leg up on the competition.
And meanwhile Hayden Penn is a New Orleans Zephyr. Thanks Andy.
I read over the weekend that Andino had made the list for "runs saved" in the AL. I'm not sure how the number of runs saved was determined, but I found it interesting that Andino, a part-time player, made the list. The other guys on the list were all starters. That defense is really what we need from Andino. Just like Izturis, if he hits a solid .260, we'll take it.
I admit I rated the Penn-Andino trade as a head-scratcher in the spring. But Andino has done well, while Penn cleared waivers. Funny how baseball works out sometimes...
I said it awhile back this guy can play, i think he can hit better then Izturis, Izturis was never known for his bat anyway. and you have to cradit Andy McPhail for maken this trade. he has made some really good moves
I guess the main focus the rest of the year will be weeding out the rotation.Hernandez didn't seem to do that well at Norfolk yesterday,probably due to the layoff the past couple weeks.But you have to imagine everybody there is smelling blood in the water right now.I've been kinda dissappointed with Berken's last couple starts,he doesn't seem to have a plan out there on the mound but I know he's better than what he's been showing.
As far as Bergy goes let's see what happens once the scouting reports catch up. I think he's been sneaking up on people somewhat.But as long as the umps give him the low strikes,he'll be tough to beat.
I just wonder why they didn't check into Andino last year.
I see a void suddenly of everyone calling for Crow's head? Just a few days ago, people were looking to run Trembley and Crow out of town?
Just remember, the time to scrutinize play and coaching isnt during the losing streaks...when they are playing their best ball.
Roch - in reality, when do you see Tillman getting a call and do you see Arrieta in a O's uniform in September?
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I have no idea. I could see them both here later in the summer, but haven't been told for sure. - Roch
Roch- Rowell 0-4 with 3 k's yesterday. He is really starting to look like 1 of the many 1st round busts that the o's had from 1993-2006.
I guess actually, of the 21 1st/supp 1st round picks,
Snyder, Markakis, and Roberts are the only ones still here. Werth is good. Fontenot is ok. Olson is TBD.
Thats less than %25. I guess that is not totally horrible, but the fact that they did not get any other rounds right either, save for Bedard.
And, no....It's not "He's only 20". You know after 3 seasons if the kid is gonna be something special. I mean, they have ROY awards for those with great numbers as a rookie.
The smart move, might actually be to send him back to Delmarva, and see if he can tear that pitching up, maybe it would really boost his confidence and turn it all around.
What do you think?
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I think he's where he should be. He's just slumping again and learning how to play a new position. I guess you keep running him out there and hope something clicks. - Roch
Terpsfan and Lawerence -
I never seen your suggestions to what you would do to improve the club. Or what you would do if this time next year we are in the same boat. Brummie, JPA and I put forth our suggestion at your request. Now it is your turn.
Andino has been great, but I also thought Luis Hernandez was ready to take over for Miguel Tejada. I think he should also get some late innings at 2B.
I told my kids, at yesterday's game, Andino is my new favorite player (sorry, Melvin) I have been very impressed and I don't impress easily. He could be our ss of the future.
I love what Andino's doing right now, but I seem to recall a similar situation a couple of years ago when Tejada went on the DL - Luis Hernandez came up and was excellent for the time Miggy was out, but then we all know what happened after that. I'm not saying the same thing will be true with Andino, but I'm also not ready to crown him the shortstop of the future.
Roch,
Andino looks like a different player than he did a couple weeks ago. Gaining confidence everyday! Makes the trade for him that much sweeter.
Speaking of which, how is Hayden Penn doing these days?
Good stuff on Yahoo about Bergeson, nice to see some O's get national exposure occasionally:
http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/Closing-Time-Bosom-Buddies-back-on-the-air-in;_ylt=AsNQn6UzH4.2ujAQwDpgsUC5bZ8u?urn=fantasy,170094
yes,sir Andino has been solid! Lets just hope DT gives Wiggy some AB's. I'm all for sitting Mora for a few consecutive days. Maybe it would entice him to waive that no trade clause. Wiggywill hit 20+ homers this season. Is this team streaky or what?
Roch,
The talk about Andino is a great time to bring up the over-reliance on batting average as a measure of performance. Timely hitting is a better measure (RISP and even OBP are probably better).
Here's why. Take a look at how just a few more hits over the first 60 games can look like light years' difference in ability;
Games AB HITS AVE
60 220 78 0.355
60 220 72 0.327
60 220 66 0.300
60 220 60 0.273
60 220 54 0.245
So, over the first third of the season, the highest BA guy (superstar) gets 24 more hits in 60 games (about 1 in each 2 games) than the .245 scratch-a-single hitter --- not a big deal unless those hits were productive or led to a run in some way (run scored, runner moved around, or RBI). OBP figuring into this is more complicated and I wanted to keep this simple.
My main point is that BA is not that big a deal if the hits lead to no scoring. Seems like BA gets too much press as the height of success.
I have heard of other athletes coming back from appendectomies much quicker than Izturis' recovery timetable. I think Brady Anderson had a non-laparoscopic appendectomy back in the day and was out about 4 days. Now, I myself applied for disability when I cut a toenail too short, so I am not one to judge Cesar. But it just seems a lengthy recovery for an athlete. Am I off-base???
hey roch, wanna grab be a bobble head on wednesday? study for the bar and can't make it to the game.
As usual, I'll eat my words on the Andino-Penn trade and tip my hat to MacPhail. The only thing that concerns me about Andino is that he seems to be a bit of a free swinger. Hopefully w/ more at-bats he'll take more pitches. His glove is solid and should only get better w/ more action.
Well put Roch. Do you see him as a young Ceaser Izturis? He could definatly win a gold glove, but the hitting could improve a bit, and I know the Crow will help him. Also, what did you see from Pie? It looked like he was more comfortable.
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Andino has to prove he's as good defensively as Izturis before I hang that label on him. He's not there yet. Pie looked OK. - Roch
Roch,
I read somewhere, might have been Espn that Trembly is in the last year of his contract. I know he has a club option for next year.
It seems like there might be danger in him becoming a lame duck manager. The players could very easily quit on him knowing that he might not be back.
The guy must be on pins and needles not knowing if he will be out of a job the first week of October.
If this year is "not about wins and losses", and all the guys in the bunker have to do is activate DT's option year, when will Andrew stop the uncertainty and decide on his future?
I don't see why this should be dragged out.
Roch,
With Hayden Penn getting sent back to AAA,this is another great deal McPhail pulled off.Andino has made the most of his opportunity. Other than Chris Ray, who do you see as the top three relievers in the Orioles Minor League System. Please don't say Radhames Liz or Bob McCrory. :)
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Haven't seen them all, but Luis Lebron and Wilfrido Perez should be high on the list. Jim Miller's having a nice season in Norfolk. Kam Mickolio should be considered. - Roch
Are either Davis or Turner a possibility for 3B next year?
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Not Davis. Probably not Turner, either, since he's been mostly playing 2B. - Roch
Roch,
Ran across this one while looking for something in the robotics world.
This is a pretty fascinating explanation of why hitters see breaking balls the way they do.
http://www.newscientist.com/movie/best-new-visual-illusions-curveball
Maybe you can run it by The Crow and see if he can do some on-the-field testing!!
Roch- Agree with you 100%, quick question can Andino play second and third as well or is he just a shortstop? Cause if he can spell b-rob and Mora that would be another plus!
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He can move around the infield. - Roch
Roch, i just heard that Hobgood will start out at Bluefield. Have you heard anythng about it. They said they were in no hurry with him.
The O's don't have much depth below Matuz even though there's a couple of halfway decent prospects down there.I think Zagone and Britton are a bit overhyped and will struggle to make it up the ladder.Maybe Bascom wil pan out.
If the O's over the next couple months do something with Guts, Hill,Koji,Hendrickson,Baez their overall depth is going to take a beating.Not that I'm against replacing these guys.
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Haven't heard, but that sounds about right for a h.s. kid. - Roch
I have to admit that I was disappointed to see McPhail give up on a potential starting pitcher and receive only a no hit utility guy in return. But right now, this looks like a good deal. I doubt though that he'll hit long term. And I'd imagine that, ultimately, his mark here will not be overly significant.
ROCH IT WAS A GOOD WIN SAT, AND YESTERDAY, YESTERDAY WAS GOOD, BERGY PITCHED A GREAT GAME AND GAVE RELIEVERS REST. ALSO IT WAS GOOD TO SEE PLAYERS HIT SO WELL AND GET OUT OF THIS SLUMP. I HAVE? DT DECISIONS BUT FIRING HIM WON'T SOLVE O'S PROBLEMS, WE HAVE HAD A SLEW OF MANAGERS HERE,IN THE PAST, WE NEED TO BE PATIENT WITH HIM AND GIVE HIM TIME HOPEFULLY THESES YOUNG KIDS WILL DEVELOP INTO GREAT PLAYERS AND WE FINALLY WILL HAVE A GOOD TEAM DT IS THE RIGHT MAN TO HELP DEVELOP THESE YOUNG KIDS. GOOD TO SEE ANDINO, REIMOLD.BERGY AND OTHERS DEVELOP. ALSO WENT TO FREDERICK KEYS I LOVE THE MINOR LEAGUE GAMES IT IS GOOD TO ROOT FOR OUR MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS.
John...you said:
The O's don't have much depth below Matuz even though there's a couple of halfway decent prospects down there.
I find this humorous since for the last 10 years the O's had NO depth below, above or anywhere, period. This is a nice problem for a change.
Roch,
I see that Berken is scheduled to start against the Mets.
Do still think it will happen?
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Haven't heard any talk of him coming out of the rotation, so yes. - Roch
Roch, I apologize if this has been asked before, but I wanted to know where you think Brandon Waring stands within this organization and the potential plan for him. I saw he hit his 11th homer at Frederick last night, and it seems he could possibly be a plus bat at the 3B position in the future should the O's try to put him there. Thanks.
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Haven't asked about the plan for him, but he could move up to Bowie after the break. And I think he's an option at third base. - Roch
John,
Ripken started at Bluefield coming out of high school, so it's a good spot for Hobgood as well. I don't think you want to throw him into the Fredericks of the world, with guys that are 2-4 years older. Let him make his march through Delmarva and Aberdeen after Bluefield.
As an O's fan living in Miami, I watched Robert Andino regularly during his career with the Marlins. He played high school here so the Marlins knew what the were getting. He really did not have much chance with the Marlins but not just because of Hanley Ramirez but also because of Alfredo Almezaga (now on the disabled list) who is an outstanding utility player with a great glove at shortstop. I remember Andino hitting one clutch game winning home run in an important game. You should also note that he started playing center field last year for the Marlins when he was need there even though he had not had much recent experience in the outfield. At the time of the trade, I thought it was a great one for the O's.
Not sure what you've been reading Jacko, but I've made many specific observations about things I would do differently than DT has done, as recently as yesterday when I said Wieters should have been in the lineup. Last week, when Roch invited everyone to make three suggestions, unlike you and your boy B_O, I didn't post repeated rants saying the same thing over and over while providing no reasonable alternatives, I suggested three things. Here they are again; you must have missed them--
there are three things I would do between now and the end of July (if not sooner) that I think could improve the team.
1. Be willing to trade, in exchange for a solid return, anyone on the active ML roster who is not either a rookie pitcher (except Koji whom I don't really consider a rookie) or named Johnson, Reimold, Wieters, Jones or Markakis. I'd love to keep Scott and Roberts, but if you get a lot back, you need to be open to moving them. I'd like to sign Huff for a year or two, but he probably wants 4-5 years for security and I would not give him that; so, I think you move him. Guthrie and Baez could bring some decent returns. Same with Izturis. Mora and Wiggington, less valuable, but see what you can get. Sherrill's value is probably back up with his recent turnaround. I don't mind keeping him, but again, a strong offer and he's gone if I am in charge. Obviously you don't trade them all, but if Andy doesn't move 3 or 4 of these guys by the deadline, I think he's making a mistake.
2. Dump Zaun and find a backup catcher who can at least throw someone out if not hit better than .200. Watching him strike out with the bases loaded the other day and then do it again last night to start the ninth makes me sick. Although we obviously have bigger problems than Zaun, he was a bad signing and adds virtually nothing to this team. He doesn't even jump on guys' backs after a win because he is too slow to catch them in line.
3. Move Koji to the pen, preferably now, and bring back Dave Hernandez to the rotation. He should be getting the same shot Berken is to prove whether he is part of the future rotation. Koji is not a big league starter, but he could be a very solid long man or a set-up man. Let's give Bergey, Berken and Hernandez the rest of the season to make their marks before they are pushed by Tillman, Arrieta and Matusz. The more of these guys that pan out the more value we have to trade for a hitter and the more security we have against injury to one or more of them. The difficulty is how do you make room to recall Hernandez now, so maybe you wait to do this until you trade Baez.
first when you pick up a young player from the marlins you usually are going to get a good baseball player. they have a great scouting department. second had andino been on the o's last yr and played the way he's played since izzy went down, izzy wouldn't be here this yr. if andino continues to play in the field like he has been there is no question he can be a starting s.s.
Speaking of a shortstop Roch I just read an article about the Orioles being serious about signing a 16 year old shortstop of the Dominican. Do you know anything about that?
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I've mentioned him in the past. Sano. O's are scouting him and have interest, but he's gonna command around $5 mil. - Roch