Outfield and DH math: Who gets ABs to replace production of Cruz, Markakis?

The Orioles will be looking to replace the offensive production of Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis this season after both players left the club via free agency.

In both cases, it appears that it will not be one individual player that attempts to duplicate their offensive production, but several that get the chance.

Last season, Cruz took 37 percent of the at-bats by O's left fielders and 59 percent of the at-bats at designated hitter. Markakis took 91 percent of the at-bats by O's right fielders.

Looking at the current makeup of the Orioles outfield, we know Adam Jones is the everyday center fielder, but we don't have a clear picture after that.

It looks like Travis Snider, Steve Pearce, Delmon Young, David Lough and Alejandro De Aza will split the at-bats between left field, right field and DH.

Outfielders Alex Hassan and Henry Urrutia are also on the 40-man roster and are sure to get a look in spring. Dariel Alvarez may factor in at some point, as well. But for now, it looks like the five players will share some at-bats between three spots in the batting order.

They do have some big shoes to fill. Last year, Orioles left fielders ranked first in the American League with an OPS of .828. Right fielders were third at .762 and DHs were fourth at .796.

Maybe it turns out that while none of the five players mentioned above plays every day, all five get 350 or 400 at-bats or more. They all get some chances to contribute, and manager Buck Showalter does his usual stellar job at mixing and matching the lineup to play the right guy against a certain pitcher or team or in a certain ballpark. Maybe some platoons are worked out that produce the best total production for the team.

Here are those players' career average and OPS splits:

* Pearce - .280/.878 vs. left-handed pitchers and .240/.700 vs. right-handed pitchers
* De Aza - .247/.677 vs. left-handed pitchers and .274/.748 vs. right-handed pitchers
* Snider - .249/.698 vs. left-handed pitchers and .245/.720 vs. right-handed pitchers
* Young - .302/.806 vs. left-handed pitchers and .276/.715 vs. right-handed pitchers
* Lough - .242/.620 vs. left-handed pitchers and .274/.717 vs. right-handed pitchers

These splits produce some results that may surprise you. For instance, while Pearce and Young fare well against left-handed pitching, they rank fourth and fifth in this group in career OPS against right-handed pitchers. Ranking in that order, you get De Aza, Snider, Lough, Young and Pearce.

Last year, Pearce and Young both fared well against right-handed pitching - in fact, quite well, with Pearce going .279/.856 and Young .312/.809.

No doubt those two will probably lead this group of five in at-bats when the season is over, barring some injury or other issue.

But it will be interesting to track this group of players during the season and see which players may join them as the Orioles look to get solid production out of left field, right field and DH. Just as they did last year on their way to the American League East title.