Episode 44: Jonesing for Consistency

Published by Bird's Eye View at July 16, 2013

Leading Off

We start off with The Brian Roberts Watch (1:44), to find that B-Rob had a decent week. Playing the field in addition to serving as the designated hitter, Roberts appeared in the 1,6, 8, and 9 hole. He didn’t have a ton of hits, but when he got them, he made them count.

No real updated in The Medical Wing(4:00):

Steve Johnson – threw live BP on 7/11
Steve Pearce – no real update… feeling “better” after 7/14 injection
Wilson Betemit – no change … nowhere near a return

The BEVys

Catch our mid-season awards show this Thursday, July 28th!

Jonesing for Consistency

It seems that Adam Jones’ season has been inconsistent, with his struggles in the field, and his Vlad Guerrero-esque approach at the plate (6:50). In fact, a look at his stats show that he’s had a very solid first “half.” Jones has been the MVO (Most Valuable Oriole) for the past two years, and with his big contract extension last year, has become the face of the franchise in many respects (8:03).

Many fans considered all to be forgiven with his home run against Mariano Rivera, to avoid a sweep in New York (8:49), but some are still clamoring for him to be moved from center to left (10:24), or dropped in the order (13:23). With the frustrating at bats, when you look back at Jones’ body of work, he’s going to have more clutch at-bats than not (13:52).

Hammel Woes

The guys debate what reasonable expectations for Jason Hammel were before the start of the season (19:52). Though he will never be an absolute stud – an ace – Jason Hammel was tapped to be the veteran presence that made him the #1 starter in a weak rotation. Instead, he has done a good job of impersonating the guy who got run out of Colorado. Hammel has been very fortunate in his seven wins (23:25), and hasn’t won since late May.

Scott broke down Hammel’s pitches with the help of his friends at brooksbaseball.net (24:30). Whereas there are “facts” and “numbers” involved, the bottom line comes to the fact that Hammel is getting less movement on his pitches, and the velocity has come down on his fastball and slider (26:39).

The question becomes “what do you do with Jason Hammel? The options are (29:20):

Leave him in the rotation
Send him to the bullpen
Get him to agree to being sent to AAA
Release him

OK, so it’s very unlikely that he’ll agree to a demotion, or that he’ll get released. The most likely development is that Buck will leave him in the rotation (29:50). The question is how long a leash he will get it. There aren’t a plethora of talented arms waiting to replace him.

BEV: Fantasy Like a Boss

Score – Jake 1, Scott 0 (32:55)

Last week: Jake took Machado and Scott took in Markakis in a battle over OBP.

This week: Which Orioles All Star will be involved in more at-bats? Scott: Manny Machado Jake: Chris Davis

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a terrible week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly (37:07).

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