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Orioles To Call Up Manny Machado

By Mark Polishuk | August 8, 2012 at 10:28pm CDT

The Orioles will select the contract of top prospect Manny Machado before Thursday night's game against the Royals, according to a team press release.  Machado, the third overall pick of the 2010 draft, is hitting .266/.350/.431 at Double-A Bowie this season.  The 20-year-old was regarded as the 11th-best prospect in the game according to Baseball America's preseason rankings and moved up to the #9 slot in BA's midseason rankings.

Though Machado was drafted as a shortstop and has played all but five pro games at the position (three games at DH, two games at third base), it appears as though the O's will use Machado at third.  Though J.J. Hardy has struggled to a .658 OPS this season, he has a firmer grip on the shortstop position than the defensively-challenged Wilson Betemit and Mark Reynolds have at the hot corner.  It's a big surprise to see Machado called up this early, though with the Orioles in a pennant race, "if we can do something that makes us two inches better to have a chance to win the last 49 games, we’re going to do it," manager Buck Showalter tells MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link). 

The early call-up will put Machado in line to be arbitration-eligible after the 2015 season (though not Super Two-eligible) and able to hit free agency after the 2018 season at age 26, according to MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith.  These calculations are based on Machado remaining in the majors, which Nicholson-Smith calls "a big if."

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View Comments (69)

Comments

  1. Rabbitov

    11 years ago

    Say whaaaaaaaaat.

    Reply
    • vtadave

      11 years ago

      Solid post bro.

      Reply
      • NickinIthaca

        11 years ago

        You forgot Joey Lawrence up there as well

        Reply
  2. Killian Lord

    11 years ago

    Whoa.

    Reply
  3. OrangeCards

    11 years ago

    Wow. Shocked. This might turn out to be a mistake, but it’s hard not to be excited. Anyone else going? Wieter’s debut was a lot of fun.

    Reply
    • Justin Andrews

      11 years ago

      I was already goin for my Mandarin Chen shirt. Now I feel like a kid on Christmas eve.

      Reply
  4. itsmewade

    11 years ago

    A’s fan. I’ll probably watch tomorrow. I love watching debuts of top prospects.

    Reply
    • elock

      11 years ago

      Only problem is they haven’t actually said if he’ll play in the first game against the Royals, just that he’ll be up for it. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

      Reply
      • Eddie Biggar

        11 years ago

        He will play primarily against left handers. The O’s are facing 2 lefties this weekend, one tonight and the other on Sunday. He’s playing tonight.

        Reply
  5. diehardmets

    11 years ago

    Why? He’s been mediocre at AA and really hasn’t dazzled anywhere. I sense a big mistake coming.

    Reply
    • Rabbitov

      11 years ago

      Wrong categorically.

      Reply
    • Jason Paff

      11 years ago

      Mediocre???? LOL

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        11 years ago

        he hasn’t been amazing at the plate, but looking at his stats as the full story is irresponsible.

        he’s one of the youngest players in AA and plays a premium position

        Reply
        • Rabbitov

          11 years ago

          I think his past ten games or so are beyond belief, but even looking at the whole picture, I think an almost .800 at AA at (just turned) 20 is lighting it up.

          Bryce Harper wasn’t even close to that when he was called up, which of course proves nothing except that talent is the indicator not a quick stat check.

          Reply
          • notsureifsrs

            11 years ago

            the biggest thing to reiterate is that he turned 20 a month ago. that performance at that age at that level at that position is fantastic

            i would bet against him being very productive in the show this year, but no one should be talking down his performance in AA

            Reply
    • vtadave

      11 years ago

      Yet if he were a Mets prospect, he’d be the best SS prospect since Arod.

      Reply
      • diehardmets

        11 years ago

        No, he’d still be a 20 year old posting mediocre numbers at AA. I’m not saying he’ll be a bad player long term, nor am I saying he isn’t an excellent prospect (one of my favorites actually). His numbers do not indicate that he is ready for the majors though. Again, he’s 20 so this isn’t surprising.

        Reply
        • vtadave

          11 years ago

          .870 OPS since the break. Not saying he’s ready to perform at an elite level, but pretty sure he’s among the top 14 position players in the organization, so I don’t have a problem with this at all.

          Reply
          • diehardmets

            11 years ago

            My fear is that it stunts his development most likely in a mental way. Of course, we can’t get inside his head, so that fear may be unfounded.

            Reply
        • OrangeCards

          11 years ago

          Harper put up .724 OPS over 37 games at AA and then a .690 OPS over 21 games at AAA before he was promoted.

          Sometimes the talent outweighs the stat sheet with top prospects.

          Reply
          • diehardmets

            11 years ago

            And that call up was a mistake in my opinion (look at how he’s slumping now). Also, Machado is not a prospect on the level of Harper. Harper and Trout might be the best talents of the next 30 years, Machado is just another elite top prospect.

            Reply
  6. LifelongMets

    11 years ago

    Saw this guy play at a Bowie game once.. Excellent hands at short– his swing was smooth as well. He’s going to have a very good career, but perhaps he should’ve seen Norfolk..

    Reply
  7. Joseph Lex

    11 years ago

    And Dylan Bundy promoted to AA. Good night to be an O’s fan!

    Reply
    • OrangeCards

      11 years ago

      After his amazing start at low A, Fredrick was a little disappointing. I hope they allow him to use his cutter again at AA.

      Unleash the beast and see what he can do!

      Reply
  8. NatsTown

    11 years ago

    Someone got jealous of all the Trout/Harper talk

    Reply
    • Rabbitov

      11 years ago

      Trout/Harper/Chen talk.

      Reply
      • AaronAngst

        11 years ago

        I don’t think many people outside of Baltimore are talking about Chen… just like almost no one outside of Milwaukee is talking about Mike Fiers… and his numbers are superior to Chen’s. Granted, he’s made ten fewer starts, but that’s only meant 55 additional innings. Also, like Fiers, Chen is 27 years old… not exactly a young, up and comer.

        Reply
        • Rabbitov

          11 years ago

          Granted he got blown up tonight, but Chen is pitching is the Al East, so apples and oranges.

          Reply
          • AaronAngst

            11 years ago

            Yeah not quite. At best it’s oranges to tangerines… such a silly argument.

            Reply
    • OrangeCards

      11 years ago

      I think it’s more TROUT! / harper talk at this point, but whatever …

      And no, the Orioles don’t base any of their personnel decision on jealousy of the happenings in DC … we’ve developed quite the drinking game in the warehouse for all the major moves.

      Reply
  9. TheLoLgen

    11 years ago

    I literally just traded him a week ago in my keeper league :

    Reply
    • NickinIthaca

      11 years ago

      And I just picked him up in mine, thanks to MLBTR!

      Reply
  10. Lunchbox45

    11 years ago

    Interesting to say the least, he’s still really young. I don’t mind the move as long as they keep him up for good

    Reply
  11. melonis_rex

    11 years ago

    Wait. Whaaaaaaaat.

    Skipping AAA entirely? With only a .781 OPS in AA? (to be fair, a 120 wRC+ as well, which is awesome from a SS).

    edit: isn’t jj hardy the shortstop for the O’s? is machado moving positions? or is hardy hurt?

    Reply
    • Jason Paff

      11 years ago

      .870 OPS since the all star break

      Reply
    • Jason Paff

      11 years ago

      he’ll be playing 3rd

      Reply
    • OrangeCards

      11 years ago

      He’s been better of late, and while he hasn’t set the world on fire, a SS with a .781 OPS at AA as one of the youngest players in the league is impressive.

      It looks like he’s replacing Ryan Flaherty, a back IF, on the roster. I’m guessing he fills that role, with perhaps a shot to take some time at 3rd base if he performs well?

      Reply
      • Justin Andrews

        11 years ago

        I’m betting he spells Betemit early and often, as crazy as it sounds. Hardy’s bat is coming around big time- can’t imagine Machado is coming up just to back up the IF- especially with Andino floating now that Quintilla is locking down the 2B spot.

        Reply
        • OrangeCards

          11 years ago

          It isn’t crazy, and is perhaps likely …. I just wish they had allowed Machado to get comfortable at 3rd in the minors before throwing him out there in the majors.

          Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      11 years ago

      It’s not like it’s unheard of. AA ball is kinda the real final test for top prospects whereas AAA seems to be more of a waiting room. Also as you imply, you can’t expect the same offensive numbers from a shortstop as you would from someone like a first baseman.

      Reply
  12. soxfan123123

    11 years ago

    Jurickson Profar or Manny Machado?

    Who has the better career and who would you take right now?

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      11 years ago

      Profar, but I’d take either

      Reply
      • soxfan123123

        11 years ago

        same here.

        Reply
      • andyr

        11 years ago

        Profar will win gold gloves, Machado might gain more pop though.

        Reply
    • vtadave

      11 years ago

      Yeah Profar for me too, but if we’re talking middle infield prospects, the 29 other teams would love to have Machado.
      P.S. I think Billy Hamilton winds up in CF.

      Reply
  13. Eric He.

    11 years ago

    I think its too soon also.
    Anything to help us squeeze into the playoffs though works for me

    Reply
  14. ugotrpk3113

    11 years ago

    I applaud the Orioles for seeing this as an opportunity to win now, as oppose to see it as a financial/future risk decision.

    Can’t see many teams doing what they just did.

    Reply
    • MichaelKirschbaum

      11 years ago

      ummm, teams always do this, at this time of year, but i thought he would have better numbers. doesn’t seem to me that he’s ready for the call

      Reply
      • ugotrpk3113

        11 years ago

        Many teams do this either when a player is close to coming up or they are out of the run all together.

        I can’t recall (and it may be ignorance) a time recently where a team in the hunt for the playoffs recalled a player who isn’t necessarily major league ready to try and win now.

        Reply
      • ugotrpk3113

        11 years ago

        Many teams do this either when a player is close to coming up or they are out of the run all together.
        I can’t recall a time recently where a team in the hunt for the playoffs recalled a player who isn’t necessarily major league ready to try and win now.

        Reply
        • MichaelKirschbaum

          11 years ago

          Oakland, just did it last week, with Derrick Norris, true not oakland’s best prospect, but he’s the best catching prospect.

          Reply
          • ugotrpk3113

            11 years ago

            Norris was much further along, in my opinion

            Reply
            • MichaelKirschbaum

              11 years ago

              Yes, he was. but the point is the Orioles, aren’t the only ones to do this. If a team sees this will help the down the stretch their going to jump at the chance. but great move by the Orioles hope it works out.

              Reply
          • melonis_rex

            11 years ago

            norris is several years older and spent most of the season in AAA.

            Reply
        • ugen64

          11 years ago

          David Price?

          Reply
    • Andrew Ochs

      11 years ago

      The angels did this last year with Mike Trout.

      Reply
  15. Chuy Gutierrez

    11 years ago

    cool

    Reply
  16. Sky14

    11 years ago

    This seems like a desperation move for the O’s. I hope it works out, I would love to see the O’s in the playoffs but cannot help but think it hurts Machado’s development by skipping AAA and moving him to a new position at the same time.

    Reply
    • Justin Andrews

      11 years ago

      I don’t see it as desperation so much. Betemit boots some balls, but its infrequent (though last night comes to mind) that his errors actually cause any significant damage. Certainly not pretty, though.

      Reply
      • BradyAndersonsSideburns

        11 years ago

        I wouldn’t say infrequent, Betemit makes Reynolds look like Brooks Robinson

        Reply
    • mehs

      11 years ago

      He is being called up as an injury replacement for Ryan Flaherty.

      Reply
    • aemoreira81

      11 years ago

      Pujols did skip multiple minor league levels and has turned out fine. However, I would have been a bit leery of calling him up now…is there no better option already on the 40-man roster?

      Reply
      • ugen64

        11 years ago

        well, the 40-man roster is a non-issue, because we just transferred BRob to the 60 day DL to make space (since he just had season-ending surgery). but the answer is no, not really. Tolleson is on the minor league 7-day DL I believe, Ryan Adams hasn’t been hitting well this season (and he’s not a great defender so that’s where all his value is), and Mahoney can only play 1st. I guess Bill Hall (not on the 40-man) is still around…

        Reply
  17. formerdraftpick 2

    11 years ago

    Even if they gave Machado a week and it was a failed attempt, the taste of the Big Show might push Machado to work harder to get back again.

    Reply
    • sourbob

      11 years ago

      It’s interesting that they’re going to give him a taste of a playoff push, too.

      Reply
  18. DerekJeterDan

    11 years ago

    Too early to do so in my opinion. Even in a playoff race.
    Will definitely watch him debut however. Should be fun!

    Reply
  19. Josh_21

    11 years ago

    He’s a good shortstop.. But he’s no Jurickson Profar.

    Reply
    • Guest 4303

      11 years ago

      or Ruben Tejada

      Reply
  20. Guest 4304

    11 years ago

    why is a AAA .266 hitter news?

    Reply

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