With fourth organization, Jorge Mateo finally got his shot and ran with it

The transaction date was Aug. 5, 2021 and it probably didn’t register big around Birdland at that time. But the Orioles had claimed a one-time top 100 prospect, infielder Jorge Mateo on waivers from San Diego. He had a lot of speed but the promise he once showed had not materialized yet at the big-league level.

Of course, he had never gotten an extended chance really to show what he can do, getting just 121 plate appearances in 79 games with San Diego. He was already 25 when he broke in there during the 2020 season.

But now the player that once was ranked as high as No. 26 by Baseball America in its 2016 top 100 is thriving finally on the Orioles watch. He made a good first impression late last season, batting .280 with a .748 OPS in 32 games and that meant he might get a real chance this year.

He has and he’s run with it.

In the first half it was solid and steady defense at short that he showed along with that blinding speed. But in the second half, his bat has come to life. And while his overall numbers heading into last night’s game with a .233 average and .690 OPS, are below big-league average, it’s his recent hitting that now has him ranked among the top shortstops in the American League per FanGraphs.com Wins Above Replacement.

As of last night, Boston's Xander Bogaerts at 4.2 led AL shortstops in fWAR with Corey Seager of Texas at 4.0 and Mateo next at 2.7. That put the O's shortstop ahead of players like Bo Bichette, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Pena and Bobby Witt Jr.

Mateo posted a .610 OPS before the All-Star game and that number is .903 in the second half as he was batting .308/.346/.558 heading into last night.  It is not as simple as this, but one key stat for him is less swinging and missing. A strikeout rate of 30.6 before the break is now 20.0.

“Yeah, you could say that for sure (that less chasing has been big for him). I think it is something that plays into it when it’s time to step up to the plate. But just working (is big). Just hard work has been one of the keys for the success I have been experiencing lately and a lot of focus,” he said in the clubhouse this week through team interpreter Brandon Quinones.

From Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Mateo signed as an international free agent with the Yankees for $225,000 in 2012. He was later traded to Oakland and then to San Diego and now he is finally putting it all together at age 27 with his fourth organization.

Does he model his game after anyone?

“I would say Jose Reyes. I really watched him a decent amount because he is a player that is similar to me. I also watched Derek Jeter and the way he conducted himself and the way he was a true professional out there. When it came to hitting a guy I would watch a lot was Manny Ramirez,” he said.

Mateo said both when asked if he gets more excited for a big defensive play or in getting the big hit as he did in late-inning at-bats recently against the Red Sox and White Sox.

But some top defensive plays are still fresh in his mind from earlier in the year.

“Yeah definitely. One of them was against the Pirates. I dove up the middle and was able to make a play. Then in Toronto coming up with a huge, backhanded play to help us basically win the game towards the end. Same thing against Cleveland where I had to make a play in the hole, and I was able to come up with it and make that play. So definitely a lot to choose from,” he said.

It sure is now working out for Mateo in Baltimore. Did he have a sense last year that joining this team would turn out to be so good for him?

“So, you know of course I always had full confidence in myself and what I’m capable of doing,” Mateo said. “But you never know. It’s such a long season and you never know if you’ll be here for a full season or what that entails. But I’ve been really happy that I’ve had the opportunity to compete, earn my spot and do a good job.” 

Now, with his combination of speed, defense and some pop in his bat, some consider him among the most exciting players in the game currently.

“You know it is something huge and great that people want to come and watch me, Jorge Mateo play. I take a lot of pride in that, and it is something I am really happy to hear. You know every time I go out there in the field, I want to put my best foot forward and play really well. You never know if someone is watching me play for the first time, I want to leave them with a good impression. And show them I am a really good player, whether they are coming to watch me or anyone else on the team. I want to make sure I leave a good impression on them,” he said.

What a win: The Orioles 4-3 win in 11 innings over Chicago gave them a series victory and kept them within 2.5 games of the final AL playoff spot. During a season filled with numerous stunning wins, this one will rank right up there.

They were down to their last strike in the bottom of the ninth when Chicago's Adam Engel dropped a game-ending popup in foul territory. Given new life, rookie Kyle Stowers homered to right center on the next pitch (his first MLB homer) to tie the game and they won it in 11.

Stowers homer came on an 0-2 pitch against top closer Liam Hendriks. It was the first homer he allowed on an 0-2 pitch since 2018 and snapped a 19-straight saves streak for Hendriks. 

It was Orioles magic as they improved to 65-59 and now head into a big weekend series at first-place Houston.

The win gives the Orioles a 14-8 August record and they have three straight winning months for the first time since 2016.