Baltimore Orioles: Clearing Up The Middle Infield Competition

After Wednesday’s roster move, the Baltimore Orioles have 37 players in camp and one less middle infielder.

It has to be hard to find a middle infielder who Mike Elias hasn’t taken a look at since becoming general manager of the Baltimore Orioles. After stockpiling middle infield pieces early on in spring training camp, the competition for second base, shortstop, and backup roles is starting to clear up.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Orioles released 32-year-old shortstop Alcides Escobar, who had an opt-out in his contract set for March 20th. Escobar’s release slightly clears up one of many spring training battles still taking place and means the 11-year MLB veteran won’t be bringing his .293 career on-base percentage to Camden Yards as a member of the Orioles’ lineup in 2019. Darn.

Many fans enjoyed the signing of Escobar back in mid-February and seemed to be on board with him making the Opening Day roster in a backup/utility role. Having a true veteran with the experience Escobar possess is valuable, especially on a roster as young and inexperienced as that of the Baltimore Orioles. But, Alcides Escobar?

Manager Brandon Hyde is still being very tight-lipped about his Opening Day roster, however, this move seems to signal that both Rule 5 picks, Richie Martin and Drew Jackson, will crack the active the roster out of camp.

From MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko’s piece discussing the release of Escobar, Hyde had this to say about Martin and Jackson.

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"“We feel like both Richie and Jackson have high upside, so we want to continue to keep looking at them and give them an opportunity.”"

Bring on the rookies, the youth, the experiments, and the downright weird. Give the kids a chance to sink or swim and move on from those who can’t cut it. It now seems that Martin will get his chance as the starting shortstop and Jackson as a super-utility player for the Orioles, even taking reps at both corner outfield spots late in spring.

There are still 37 players in camp, including middle infielders Jace Peterson, Jack Reinheimer, and Hanser Alberto. Neither Peterson or Reinheimer are on the 40-man roster, meaning an additional move will need to be made if either makes the 25-man roster. Alberto’s case is a little different. A utility player who can play multiple positions and brings major league experience to the table, Alberto is already on the 40-man roster.

Bonus points if you had Alberto on your pre-season roster prediction. You just might be able to cash in on those extra points.

With just one week to go before Opening Day, are the Orioles done making any surprising moves? Will Renato Nunez make the team? Will Mike Elias find a contributor among the growing list of players on the waiver wire? Stay tuned.

After Wednesday’s roster move, the Baltimore Orioles have 37 players in camp and one less middle infielder.

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