Understanding Rougned Odor’s Role with Orioles

Former Texas Ranger and New York Yankee Rougned Odor has agreed to a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles

Rougned Odor, a career .234 hitter, likely wasn’t brought in by the Baltimore Orioles for his on-base skills, but for his veteran leadership.  It also doesn’t hurt that he’s only 27 years old, soon to be a 28-year-old in February. Although it seems like he’s been in the league for over a decade, the eight-year MLB veteran still has room to grow.

In 2021, the Orioles used multiple players at second base, so Odor’s signing may possibly provide some consistency at that position.  A premium defender at second base, the only thing missing from Odor’s game is plate discipline and hitting for average. If newly hired hitting coaches Ryan Fuller and Matt Borgschulte can make some adjustments with him, the signing of Odor would be a steal.

If Rougned Odor has a great first half of the season, General Manager Mike Elias could trade him to a team looking to add some pop to the lineup to make the postseason. This signing is a low-risk move that isn’t likely to cost much more than the league minimum, which is a good thing, and a credit to Elias.

Jahmai Jones could be Odor’s backup this season and take the reigns in 2023 while Connor Norby, the 2021 second-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles, develops and moves his way up through the team’s farm system. Baltimore has a lot of young prospects with the potential to make the organization a contender in the next two to three seasons.

Personally, I know I’m looking forward to seeing what Rougned Odor can do in an Orioles uniform.  I don’t think he was himself in New York.  He had to shave his beard and all and that changed his personality.  The Baltimore Orioles need him to be himself, grow out his facial hair, and play with the intensity he did in Texas.