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Baltimore Orioles: Alberto, Iglesias, and Their Odd 2020 Stats

By Kristen Bentley

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Jose Iglesias #42 of the Baltimore Orioles and teammate Hanser Alberto #42 celebrate after both scoring on a throwing error by Travis Shaw #42 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Sahlen Field on August 28, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Blue Jays are the home team and are playing their home games in Buffalo due to the Canadian government’s policy on coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Jose Iglesias #42 of the Baltimore Orioles and teammate Hanser Alberto #42 celebrate after both scoring on a throwing error by Travis Shaw #42 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Sahlen Field on August 28, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Blue Jays are the home team and are playing their home games in Buffalo due to the Canadian government’s policy on coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles have very few veteran players on their roster. And, one has made the news for an unusual stat line.

But, he’s not the only Baltimore Orioles player who has a stat line that doesn’t quite mesh with the expectations of a professional ballplayer.

Especially one who plays half of his games at home-run-friendly Camden Yards.

The oddest stat line of the 2020 season belongs to Jose Iglesias, but Hanser Alberto‘s is a close second.

Consistency at the Plate

Iglesias’s stat line is unusual because it makes him look like a power hitter, but only has one home run. His slash of .370/.387/.504 shows that he gets on base with consistent contact. Considering that he hit 11 home runs with the Reds in 2019, his single home run is an anomaly for the agile shortstop.

Iglesias’s .370 batting average is one of the highest in the League. For some strange reason, MLB is not including him in the rankings with other players who have fewer plate appearances.

Comparing Similar Stats

For example. Juan Soto with the Nats only has 113 at-bats, yet MLB is ranking his .354 batting average as the second highest in the League. Iglesias has 119 at-bats and 124 plate appearances, and should be at the top of the list, above Tim Anderson‘s .369.

Iglesias does show up in the doubles ranking, where he sits in a tie for the 5th most doubles with several other players like JD Martinez, Jose Abreu, and teammate Anthony Santander.

Limited Strikeouts

Another impressive stat for Iglesias is his 16 strikeouts. Two other players have the same number of at-bats, but significantly more strikeouts and fewer hits. Edwin Encarnacion has 41 strike outs and Ronald Acuna Jr. has 43. Combined, those two hitters have 56 hits. Iglesias has 44 of his own.

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Iglesias had one All-Star season with the Tigers. In 2015, he hit .300/.347/.370 with two home runs and 11 stolen bases. If the All-Star Game existed in 2020, he would clearly be at least one of the picks for the Orioles.

Alberto’s 2020 Differences

The other odd slash belongs to the team’s other middle infielder: Alberto. It might not be as impressive as Iglesias’s, but .299/.320/.402 is nothing to laugh at. What is also unexpected is the lack of power from Alberto. In 2019, he hit 12 home runs, but in 2020, he’s been held to two, despite having a similar line: .305/.329/.422 – that’s what is so strange about his line in 2020.

What seems to be the big difference for both Alberto and Iglesias is the number of doubles they’ve hit in all parks. Iglesias has 13, and Alberto has 12. In 2019, both batters had 21. So, in this shortened season, they are above their 2019 numbers in doubles, but under in home runs.

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The two middle infielders have been consistent highlights of the 2020 season. Iglesias has had three four-hit games. Alberto has had one four-hit game and three three-hit games in 2020. They’re also proving to be outstanding double-play partners. Let’s hope they finish the 2020 season strong and lead the O’s to a playoff berth.

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