Sleepers: Baltimore Orioles

By Adam Forsyth

The Shallow

Adam Jones – Outfield (CF)

A converted shortstop, the former first round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners has found a home sharing the outfield in Maryland, for the Orioles. You know what you are going to get with Jones, as he is an above average defensive center fielder, who can hit for a decent average, with not too much pop. Unfortunately, while running the bases, well, he doesn’t necessarily have out of this world speed. There you go. Do what you will.

But seriously, many believe that a breakout season is on tap for the 23-year old Californian. I think that a modest bump of his 61-.270-9-57-10 line should be expected, but not by a meteoric rise. A couple of reasons being, minus his 2007 season at AAA-Tacoma, where he knocked out 25 long balls, Jones hasn’t hit more than 16 homers in a season. During his career thus far, his highest stolen base total came in 2006, when he swiped 16 bags, while splitting time in Tacoma, and in the majors in Seattle.

Jones can hit the gap, and has extra base power in his swing. His speed is enough to provide him with the doubles and triples to help you in your leagues; but, to expect anything more than a .280 average, and close to 15-15 totals wouldn’t be considered fair.

Jones will likely see most of his AB’s in the back end of the O’s batting order, losing out on the protection that hitting around guys like Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff, and to a lesser degree, Melvin Mora, will bring. But, the growth that he has made in the last couple of years of major league exposure, should help him stave off on pitches out of the strike zone, which to this point, has been his biggest knocks. A good late round pick, and hopes that he breaks out, is all that should be expressed on this youngster, as there is plenty of talent in the outfield in the realm of the fantasy world.

The Deep

Brian Matusz – Starting Pitcher

At only 21-years of age, Matusz certainly has some room to grow. Already being sent down to minor league camps, it appears that he is at least another season away from being given a legitmate shot at a big league career. Matusz is not a hard throwing fireballer, but is noted as more of a location specialist. The tall lefty throws a high 80’s to low 90’s fastball, but can reach back and hit 95 if needed. Matusz has the ability to maintain arm strength in all of his pitches, and has tremendous movement to further compliment his mix of speeds and location.

Tabbed as a future front of the rotation pitcher, the O’s could certainly use the help; however, letting Matusz mature, and working on his arm strength, as well as attempting to bump up his fastball, would make him all the more effective. He typically works off of his fastball, but has an above average curveball and change-up that he depends on heavily when a strike is needed.

The Colorado native has tremendous control, as recognized by his 4.05K/BB ratio (further magnified by the fact that he throws 11.3K/9IP). He should be in the majors, if not at some point this season, next year. Matusz has an impressive career manning the mound at the University of San Diego, finishing his three year career with a fascinating statline of: 26-8, 2.86-397. He’ll make the jump to the minors this season, as he has already been sent to minor league camp after a decent spring debut, and will probably start in AA-Bowie with the Baysox, before making the jump to AAA-Norfolk.

One way or the other, his aggressive approach, pinpoint location, and ability to control the at-bat, will have him taking the mound for the black and orange birds soon, making him a true fantasy sleeper.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 19th, 2009 at 10:38 am and is filed under Outfield, Pitchers, Sleepers, The Shallow & The Deep. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.