On Friday, the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox, 6-5, in Sarasota thanks to two-run homers by Adam Jones and Nick Markakis. The offense pounded out 13 hits, and the bats started to pick up after being quiet for most of the winter. They did most of their scoring in the early pertion of the game, hammering Boston starter Clay Buchholz for five runs in five innings of work.
Nick Johnson also contributed with two hits and has raised his batting average to .324. It will be fascinating to see if there’s any need or room for him on the 25-man roster. Robert Andino also had two hits and drove in two runs.
Baltimore starter Jason Hammel got roughed up a bit, as he went only two innings and gave up three runs. Brad Bergesen got the win on the afternoon as he went three scoreless innings on the mound.
With a little less than two weeks before the start of the season, the question is: who will be the leadoff hitter?
For now, I do not think there is one; however, Adam Jones has three home runs so far during the exhibition season. You could also pencil in Mark Reynolds in that slot, as well as Matt Wieters, but I’d prefer at the moment to slot Jones in the number four hole. He is a solid hitter, but not an elite one – yet.
Although Jones does strike out a good bit and does not seem to draw walks, he has the bat and ability to hit in the cleanup spot. Jones has 75 career homers, with 291 RBI, a .319 OBP and a .275 lifetime average.
Mark Reynolds has the bat and is the nest power hitter on the team; however, the strikeouts a concern and as well his low batting average. He could probably bat leadoff; Reynolds could also be a guys who would produce too many outs in that role. That being said, Reynolds should bat lower in the order.
Jones does fit the mold and has produced in the past with solid all-around numbers. However, for Jones to be successful in that spot, he will need base runners, and the Orioles need to do a better job with getting men on base.
However, if Jones is to bat cleanup for the Orioles – and lift his numbers in the process – he will need to lift up his game.
