Graham on Yaz: "What you see with him is a very complete baseball player"

Adam Jones is the only certainty in the Orioles' outfield in 2015. He's going to be in center. Book it. Nick Markakis is in the last guaranteed year of his contract, which includes an option worth $17.5 million. Nelson Cruz will be a free agent after signing a one-year, $8 million deal in spring training. As the Orioles continue to transfer players in their minor league system, I'm asked whether Dariel Alvarez could be an option in left or right. I'm asked whether Mike Yastrzemski could be an option in left or right. I'm asked whether Henry Urrutia could be an option in left or right. I think more fans are focused on right, because Markakis has been roaming it since 2006. The idea of him being gone is a bit unsettling. Meanwhile, there's been a revolving door in left. The Orioles aren't going to talk contract with Markakis' representative until the season ends. Same with Cruz, J.J. Hardy and anyone else. It seems a tad ambitious to project Yastrzemski, 23, in next year's lineup, considering that he began this season at low Single-A Delmarva. Then again, he's already moved up two levels and we're just entering the second half. This isn't the fast track. It's a complete blur. "It is unusual, but his performance dictated that he be at the next level," said director of player development Brian Graham. "When players play and they perform well, it builds confidence and it's a huge teaching tool. It gives you something to fall back on. If you're not swinging the bat well or pitching well, you can fall back on your past success. That's why it's so important to have success in player development, because it always gives you something to fall back on. "With Yaz, he's had success at two levels and a real good start to the third level." What do we really know about Yastrzemski besides the familiar last name and the bloodlines? Well, he's the only player in the majors and minors in double figures in doubles, triples, home runs, stolen bases and outfield assists. So, he's got that going for him, which is nice. In 88 combined games at Delmarva, Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie before last night, Yaz was batting .314/.369/.539 with 22 doubles, 13 triples, 11 home runs, 63 RBIs and 17 steals in 21 attempts. Yaz has six hits in three games at Bowie. He went 4-for-5 in his debut and broke up a no-hitter in the ninth inning the following night. He went 1-for-3 last night with a double, walk and run scored. "What you see with him is a very complete baseball player," Graham said. "You see a guy with great preparation and a great work ethic. He's very focused and very serious about being as good as his ability will allow him to be. "This guy is a solid average runner, solid average arm strength, a solid average outfielder in all three spots. He's shown the ability to put really good at-bats together to get on base, he's shown power, extra-base power. So his performance, obviously, has been outstanding. And he has solid average tools." I need a comparison. "He's very similar to Nate McLouth. That would be the player comparison I'd use," Graham said. "He can play center field and is good in left field and right field, and anytime you quantify a guy as having the ability to play center field at the big league level, he's a good outfielder. That's how we do it. He has the ability to play center field at the big league level and he's also very good in left and right." The Baysox really need Yastrzemski in center after Alvarez was transferred to Norfolk, but it makes sense to move him around. The Orioles are set in center. Graham figures there "has to be pressure" on Yastrzemski to live up to the name - which, I might add, I've learned how to spell without looking it up. "But he handles it extremely well," Graham added. "This is a very mature kid with great makeup. He's very competitive and he likes to compete against himself. He has that type of mentality. There has to be pressure, but he handles it very well. I think it motivates him. "The one thing about Yaz is, he's humble. He can be self-deprecating and he's a great teammate. He's one of those guys that players like and they feed off his energy, feed off his approach to the game." Stay hungry.