Orioles break out nicknames for "Players' Weekend"

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Major League Baseball is holding another "Players' Weekend" on Aug. 24-26, and one of the perks is the unveiling of more nicknames that will appear on the backs of game jerseys.

The Orioles made so many trades last month, fans need a program to learn the real names. But they can take a break and maybe learn a little more about the personalities.

Infielder Tim Beckham is "Swaggy," dropping the "T" that accompanied it last year. Infielder Danny Valencia is "Slugger" and center fielder Adam Jones is "La Gente," which translated from Spanish is "People." It's more accurate to consider him "The Man."

Left fielder Trey Mancini is "Boomer" and pitcher Alex Cobb is "Cobb," though I would have gone with "Salad."

First baseman Chris Davis is still "Crush," outfielder Joey Rickard is "J-Rick," infielder Jace Peterson is "Petey," pitcher Yefry Ramírez is "El Varon," which means "The Man," new second baseman Jonathan Villar is "Villi," catcher Caleb Joseph is "Cale," pitcher Dylan Bundy is "Dilly," third baseman Renato Núñez is "Tato," pitcher David Hess is "Hesser," pitcher Mike Wright Jr. is "Bird" and catcher Austin Wynns is "Winnie."

Reliever Miguel Castro is "Villa Hermosa," or "Beautiful Villa," which actually is the name of the neighborhood where he grew up.

Reliever Mychal Givens is "Tony" because his middle name is Antonio. Pitcher Andrew Cashner is "Cash." Left-hander Paul Fry is "Papa Frita," which references a French fry, of course. Lefty Donnie Hart is "D.Hart." Lefty Tanner Scott is "Scottie." Reliever Evan Phillips is "Philly." Reliever Cody Carroll is "CC." And yes, designated hitter/outfielder Mark Trumbo is still "Trum."

The list also includes players who aren't on the 25-man roster. For example, injured Triple-A catcher Andrew Susac is "Suz." He's also done for the rest of the season with a broken left wrist sustained when Susac was hit by a foul ball.

Infielder Breyvic Valera, part of the five-player package acquired from the Dodgers for Manny Machado and currently at Norfolk, is "BV." Tides starter Jimmy Yacabonis, who could be recalled for Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, is "Yac." Reliever Ryan Meisinger, on the Triple-A disabled list, is "Meis."

Some guys like to keep it simple. Or their friends and teammates do it for them.

Rule 5 pitcher Pedro Araujo, shut down with an elbow injury, is "El Montro," which means "The Monster." Pitcher Jhan Mariñez, also on the disabled list, is "El Electricidad," which means "The Electricity." Former first-round pick Hunter Harvey, on a throwing program in Sarasota, is "Squirrel." I hear he isn't nuts about it.

Injured pitcher Gabriel Ynoa is "El Tiguere," which means ... "The Tiguere."

The disabled list also includes reliever Richard Bleier, who's "Dickie B," and infielder Elgelb Vielma, who's known as "El Flaco," or "The Joe Flacco."

OK, it's actually "The Skinny."

Infielder Steve Wilkerson is "Breeze." Outfielder Craig Gentry is "Gent." Outfielder Austin Hays is "Haysie." Outfielder Anthony Santander is "Kenny."

Of course he is.

Triple-A catcher Chance Sisco is "Sisco Kid" and anything else would have been hugely disappointing.

Manager Buck Showalter is "Buck" because his actual first name is "William." Third base coach Bobby Dickerson is "Bobby D." First base coach Wayne Kirby, and you should curb your enthusiasm for this one, is "Kirb."

Hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh is "Coolie." Assistant hitting coach Howie Clark is "HC." Bullpen coach Alan Mills is "Millsy." Bench coach John Russell is "JR." Extra coach Einar Díaz is "Caballete," which means "Easel." Bullpen catcher/BP pitcher Jett Ruiz is "Tyler."

Pitching coach Roger McDowell goes by "McDowell." One of the game's all-time best pranksters is using his last name. And he isn't joking.