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Baltimore Orioles: Hanser Alberto Quietly Moving Up in the Rankings

By Kristen Bentley

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 15: Hanser Alberto #57 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates during the game against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 15, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 15: Hanser Alberto #57 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates during the game against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 15, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles have been full of surprises in 2020, and it’s safe to say that they aren’t finished.

First, it was the Baltimore Orioles right fielder, Anthony Santander, racking up an 18-game hit streak.

Now, it’s all about Hanser Alberto and his quiet moves up the ranks. After a four-hit game against the Blue Jays on Friday night, he’s in some good company in the stats.

Ironically, on the game where everyone wears #42 to honor Jackie Robinson, Alberto’s four hits gave him a total of 42 hits on the season.

Those 42 hits tie him for third in the League with Jose Abreu of the White Sox and Kyle Lewis of the Mariners. They also lifted his batting average to a meaty .331 – the seventh highest in the League.

Alberto has been leading the AL with doubles for some time now. And, the consistent-hitting second baseman is still at the top with 12. Only Christian Walker of the D-Backs has more, with 13.

Alberto is a perfect lead-off hitter for the Orioles. He regularly gets on base, setting him the second and third batters to score. He hasn’t had much power, with only two home runs on the season. But, that’s ok. He’s got Renato Nunez and Anthony Santander for those. With his AL-leading doubles, he’s often in scoring position. And, with Jose Iglesias back in the three-hole and Santander leading the MLB in extra-base hits, it’s easy to see why he’s scored 23 runs in 2020.

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It’s crazy to think that between November 2, 2018 and March 1, 2019, Alberto was tossed around the League on the waiver wire. Once a member of the Texas Rangers, he was DFA’d and selected by the Yankees. Seven weeks later, the Yankees put him on waivers, and the Orioles took. A month later, the Giants took him from the Orioles. Then, a month later, the Orioles took him back.

In his three seasons with the Rangers, he hit .192/.210/.231. In his two seasons with the Orioles, he’s hit .310/.334/.432 and he’s only getting better. There’s not a Rangers player who is anywhere near him in the stats. Just with hits, you’ve got to get to the 52nd spot on the list to Nick Solak and his 30 hits this season. Of course, Joey Gallo has seven home runs, but he’s only batting .184/.333/.439. and has 18 hits.

Alberto is known for his prowess against left-handed pitchers. He’s batting .440 against lefties, but he’s also batting .304 against right-handed pitchers. Any batter would be happy with those numbers.

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Alberto has played in all but one game this season, and he has one game where he came in during the seventh inning. He shows up to play every single day, and he delivers. The team couldn’t ask for more from their consistent second baseman. He seems quite happy in his Baltimore home, and we fans are certainly glad he’s here!

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