Outfield Aplenty

With just two weeks left in MLB Spring Training, many invitees to the Baltimore Orioles camp are continuing to impress the coaching staff, making their roster decisions quite difficult, a good problem for any team to have. Some of these guys REALLY want to make this exciting young ball club. Depth will be a huge advantage for the Orioles this season.

The outfield is the most clogged position this season. With Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Nate McLouth penciled in to start, and Nolan Reimold the most likely DH, who would you keep as your backup outfielder?

Lew Ford: .483avg/2HR/6RBI
Conor Jackson: .378/3/6
Steve Pearce: .393/4/12
LJ Hoes: .320/0/3
Chris Dickerson: .308/1/2
Trayvon Robinson: .286/1/5
Jason Pridie: .267/2/8

It's mind boggling that they can only keep one of those pleasant surprises on the MLB roster, isn't it?  Honestly, I'd keep 2 of them, and make Nolan Reimold prove himself at AAA Norfolk, both that he's back to form, and that he can stay healthy, especially considering his anemic Spring Training statistics.

Ford and Pearce were around last year, so that may give them an edge. Pearce can also play 1B. Jackson played 1B briefly. Hoes has already been sent down to AAA. To me it really comes down to Ford, Pearce, or Jackson. I couldn't in good conscious send any of those three down after their Spring Training efforts.

Soon enough, Reimold or Brian Roberts will get hurt like usual, and another deserving player will take their roster spot, unless Buck Showalter continues his baffling love affair with Ryan Flaherty.

Copyright 2013 Denim McDemus