By Adam Forsyth
The Shallow
Luke Scott – Outfield (LF)
If only “Lucky” Luke could play the entire 162 game season against the Detroit Tigers…Just imagine the stats that this veteran left-handed batsman would produce!? Scott recently hit .429 with 5 HR’s and 11 RBI in the past weekends’ four game tilt against the Motor City Kitties.
Unfortunately; being in the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles only play the Tigers four more times (Aug. 3-6); however, that doesn’t necessarily limit his output against the rest of the league.
The 30-year old has some pop, and is showing a new-found touch at the dish hitting well over .300 (career .266 hitter heading into ’09) and seems to have found his place in Maryland. He’s forcing O’s Manager Dave Trembley to consider moving him up in the line-up as he has been typically hitting sixth with much success.
Expect “Cool Hand” Luke to keep scorching in the batter’s box as the season progresses, forcing the Orioles to extend him contract wise more than the two-straight one-year deals they’ve provided him. In left field, he’s really all they’ve got that major league ready, as Felix Pie has been, um, well…horrific.
The Deep
David Hernandez – Starting Pitcher
Where exactly did this 16th round pick come from, as he wasn’t really on the short-list of arms to contend for starts heading into the 2009 season. Regardless, Hernandez has shot right up the ranks in the short term and at least earned himself more than a sniff in the bigs.
Going 5.2 deep against a great Tigers line-up, this Oriole righty impressed in giving up only five hits, while striking out three. His control was a bit suspect, as he gave four free-passes; however, nerves can be considered in a major league debut.
With his next pair of starts coming against a lowly Seattle Mariners roster, Hernandez certainly has the potential to add to the one win that he was able to get in his debut. Hernandez had over a 10 K/9IP ratio his last two seasons in the minors, so expect his K rate to increase the more he gets comfortable against major league bats.
