Baltimore Orioles: Asking the Question Who's on First

For most of the last 10 years, the question about who would play first base for the Baltimore Orioles was easy.

It always belonged to the Baltimore Orioles most expensive player ever, Chris Davis.

But, this is no longer the case. With workouts beginning today, the decision-makers will have a serious question to answer: who’s on first?

With so many young players vying for a spot on the roster, first base will be a spot that several of those players will attempt to win. Any player who wins that coveted spot could make a major impact on the team in 2020 and the near future.

In 2019, Davis played in 105 games, which is 64% of the games. That would equal 38 games in 2020. In 14 of the games, he was a pinch hitter, pinch runner, reliever, or right fielder. His inconsistent hitting has made him more of a liability than an asset. A young player could bring more.

With Davis’s $23 million on the books through 2022, the team might still put him in first on a regular basis, simply to justify his contract. Still, he won’t play everyday, so a solid utility player will also be needed.

No matter what shakes out in the upcoming weeks, someone has to be able to play first in the other 30% to 40% of the games that Davis probably won’t play. Let’s look at who’s most likely to have a set position in the infield:

Second Base: Hanser Alberto
Shortstop: Jose Iglesias
Third Base: Rio Ruiz
DH: Renato Nunez

That leaves questions about Richie Martin and Andrew Velazquez, who have Major League contracts. It also leaves questions about non-roster invitees Dilson Herrera, Pat Valaika, and Stevie Wilkerson.

Second base belongs to Alberto, who shuffled between second and third throughout 2019. Once Jonathan Villar left, Alberto was a perfect fit for the position.

Richie Martin spent most of 2019 manning shortstop, but Iglesias was given a $3 million contract to take over the spot. And, Iglesias won’t disappoint. He’s consistent at the plate, and more than able on defense. Fans will enjoy Iglesias, and he brings a bit of swagger that only MLB veterans can. Martin will certainly be used to fill in at short.

Third base isn’t a certainty for Ruiz, but his 114 games at that position seemed to be grooming for him. If he doesn’t perform in Summer Training, it could go to someone else.

With Martin and Velazquez needing spots, they could be the most likely candidates for a regular rotation as utility players. Orioles fans probably aren’t familiar with Velazquez as he was selected off of waivers from the Indians in mid-February. He still has two waiver options left, so the O’s could move him into the secondary squad if they can’t find a spot for him. Velazquez spent most of his time with the Indians in the minors, so it wouldn’t be anything he hasn’t already experienced.

Baltimore Orioles: Asking the Question Who’s on First

By Kristen Bentley | Jul 3, 2020

For most of the last 10 years, the question about who would play first base for the Baltimore Orioles was easy.