2006 In Review: Catchers

Ramon Hernandez

.275/.343/.479, 29 doubles, 2 triples, 23 homeruns, 91 RBIs, 1 stolen base

Grade: B+

2007 outlook: Hernandez will be the starting catcher again next year going into the 2nd year of his contract. I would expect similar numbers next year, hopefully with a little more consistency. Ramon started off 2006 as the hottest hitter on the team for the first 2 months. He went into a slump at the end of the summer, his average dipping into the .250’s before catching fire again in September. Ramon was great behind the plate also, look for him to continue his success in that area next year too.

Javy Lopez

.265/.314/.412, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 8 homeruns, 31 RBIs

Grade: D

2007 outlook: After being traded in August to the Red Sox for a minor league outfielder, the only place O’s fans will catch Javy Lopez at Camden Yards will be in the opposing dugout. Lopez only played in 76 games for the O’s and his production wasn’t there. Once he got to Boston he struggled even more. I expect Javy to sign a small contract to either be a back up on a contender, or the starter on a bad team.

Raul Chavez

.179/.207/.179

Grade: F

2007 outlook: Chavez only had 28 at bats for the O’s and he was up multiple times. He cleared waivers every time we sent him back down, and he should assume the same role next year if they decide to hold on to him.

Chris Widger

.118/.211/.118, 2 RBIs

Grade: F

2007 outlook: The Orioles signed Widger after trading Javy Lopez to be the back up for the rest of the season. He played in 9 games before injuring himself. Don’t expect Widger to be back next year unless theres nobody better out there to fill the back up catcher role.

Danny Ardoin

.077/.200/.077, 1 RBI

2007 outlook: Same as Widger. Ardoin was claimed off waivers when Widger got hurt to take his place. Played in 5 games for the O’s. Shouldn’t be back next year.

Orioles Lose Final Rain Soaked Game, 9-0

Hayden Penn finishes his miserable year 0-4.

Penn pitched just like he had been since being called up. He gave up 7 of the 9 runs, 5 hits, and 3 walks in 2 and 2/3rd innings. Julio Manon gave up another run in an inning and a third. And Russ Ortiz gave up the 9th run in the 5th inning, which ended up being the last.

The hitting? Well, there was no hitting on the last day of the Orioles Season. The Red Sox rookie pitched a no-hitter through 5 innings, but it won’t be official because the game was ended early due to rain. We did have one base runner though with a Fernando Tatis walk.

Final Markakis watch: 0-0 (.291)

With the season now over, I’m going to review the year in segments. I’ll do a review of each position in a different post. I’ll grade each players performance for the year, give a little write up on each player, and also give a 2007 outlook. I also will put up a top ten prospects list eventually, and will keep everyone updated on all the off-season activity that the Orioles decide to partake in.

In the mean time I’ve got the Baltimore Ravens (4-0) to watch, Maryland college basketball coming up, season 1 of Heroes, and season 3 of Lost. Heres hoping to a productive off-season for our beloved O’s. And next year, I’ll try to be more on time with my posts. Thank you for those that have visited my blog this season and I hope you continue to do so.

Jason Grimsley Names Orioles In Steroid Affadevit

 

Jason Grimsley named 6 players that used anabolic steroids in his affadevit. He told investigators that Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, David Segui, Miguel Tejada, Jay Gibbons, and Brian Roberts had used steroids when he was teammates with them. Naturally, all the players mentioned have denied that they have ever used steroids. Except for David Segui, who said he was using HGH because of a doctor’s prescription and that the Orioles knew about it. We’ll have to see where this leads, but theres no way to prove it one way or another yet. Is there any reason for Grimsley to lie? Or was he just trying to get the investigators off his back? Will we ever know the truth? Only time will tell…

O’s Beat Red Sox In Game 161, 5-4

Chris Ray gets the win to even his record at 4-4.

Adam Loewen started and was wild in his final start of the year. He went 5 and a third innings, walking 5, striking out 5, giving up 3 hits, and 4 runs. He was all lined up to get the loss until the O’s took the lead in the top of the 9th. The bullpen did a good job of holding the Red Sox to those 4 runs. Chris Britton pitched 2/3rd an inning, LaTroy Hawkins pitched an inning, and Chris Ray pitched 2 innings of scoreless baseball.

The hitting did enough to stay in the game, and then in the 9th inning took the lead for good. Chris Gomez had 3 of the 9 hits in the game, one of them being a double. Kevin Millar, the man that drove in the tying and winning runs, had 2 hits including a double. Jeff Fiorentino also had a double. Miguel Tejada, Jay Gibbons, and David Newhan had the other hits.

Markakis watch: 0-4 (.291)

The Orioles play their final game of the season tomorrow. Hayden Penn (0-3, 13.76) goes up against Devern Hansack (0-0, 0.00). Go O’s.