The Orioles have been getting right fielder Anthony Santander some practice at first base and could play him on the infield at least occasionally down the stretch, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters this weekend (link via MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubtako). That shift could be accompanied by other changes in the infield, which began yesterday with Rougned Odor moving to third base in deference to 25-year-old Terrin Vavra, who received his first big league start at second base.
Santander, 27, has never played a Major League game at first base but did get some minor league work there several years ago. He generally rates as an above-average defender in right field, per both Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average, although his ratings have slipped this season. With several young outfielders rising through the system including MLB-ready Kyle Stowers and fast-rising 2021 top pick Colton Cowser, it’s of extra note that Santander could reacclimate to another spot on the diamond. Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins are generally locked into outfield spots, so shifting Santander around certainly makes some sense.
Of course, even moderately enhancing Santander’s defensive versatility will also potentially make him a bit more appealing on the offseason trade market. The switch-hitting Santander drew some interest this summer, as he’s done for the past couple seasons, but the O’s hung onto him and for now can continue to enjoy his .255/.334/.452 output. Santander is on pace to set new career-highs in plate appearances, home runs and doubles this season, provided he remains healthy down the stretch. He’s also trimmed his strikeout rate from 23.1% last season to 18.6% this season and upped his walk rate from 5.3% to a career-best 8.2%.
Santander is earning $3.15MM this season and remains under club control through the 2024 campaign via arbitration. He’s already been through that process twice as a Super Two player and will be due another pair of raises before hitting the open market just after his 30th birthday in the 2024-25 offseason.
As for the move of Odor to the hot corner, it’s only sensible to get as long a look as Vavra as possible down the stretch in 2022. Second base is Vavra’s primary (and best) position, and after he hit .312/.425/.444 through 229 minor league plate appearances this season (mostly in Triple-A), he appears ready for a look in the big leagues. However, the O’s also have fellow infield prospect Jordan Westburg knocking on the door of the big leagues, if not late in 2022 then likely early in the 2023 season. Westburg, who landed 98th on Baseball America’s latest top 100 rankings, has posted a combined .255/.332/.470 slash between Double-A and Triple-A this season. He’s seen his walk rate cut in half jumping from Double-A to Triple-A and perhaps has some strikeout issues to sort through (26.1% this year), but given his general proximity to the big leagues, taking a proactive look at Vavra makes sense.
It seems fair to question just how much longer the veteran Odor will factor into the plans at all, given that the longtime Rangers infielder has posted just a .193/.257/.365 batting line in 331 plate appearances this year. The lefty-swinging Odor has actually posted worse results against right-handers than against southpaws and turned in below-average defensive grades at second base (-5 DRS, -2.9 UZR, -5 OAA).
From a broader perspective, veterans of the Odor ilk will have a more difficult time finding opportunity in Baltimore at all before too long. Despite graduating former No. 1 overall prospect Adley Rutschman to the Major League roster, the O’s still have baseball’s best all-round farm system, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel opined in today’s updated rankings of the game’s 30 minor league systems. Some of that is due to another No. 1 overall pick being added to the system this season, but it’s also due largely to the rise of shortstop prospect Gunnar Henderson, whom Baseball America tabs as its new No. 1 overall farmhand in another just-released set of rankings.
Henderson, like Westburg, has split the 2022 season between Double-A and Triple-A, slashing at a combined .304/.429/.556 clip with 17 home runs, 20 doubles, six triples, 16 steals (in 19 tries), a huge 16.7% walk rate and a 20.8% strikeout rate. With 205 Triple-A plate appearances already under his belt, it’s at least feasible that he could also be an option late in the season — and, if not, then certainly early in 2023. However things pan out in the short-term, the looming presence of Henderson, Westburg, Vavra and others figures to directly impact Odor, Ramon Urias, Jorge Mateo and other infield options before too long.
I’m really baffled when teams hold on to veterans who suck instead of getting a look at the younger guys. Its almost mid-August and the O’s have a huge sample size…. Odor is not good, just DFA him
Same old story with nearly all MLB front offices. They’re trying to protect their young, valued assets, either by service time manipulation and/or keeping them off the 40-man as long as possible.
Not defending the practice at all, but that’s why we don’t see youngsters more quickly.
Wait until the 18th or 19th. The new CBA incentivizes teams in this situation to keep guys down until there’s less than 45 days left in the season so guys like Westburg and Henderson can play the rest of the season while keeping rookie eligibility, make the opening day roster next year, and potentially get the team draft picks if they get top 3 in ROY voting
Fletcher – but if they wait until next May they add another year to service time. I think that’s more likely with the Orioles.
They weren’t planning on waiting with Rutschman before his injury. Some recent comments by Mike Elias suggest they believe their competitive window will be open next year and they’ll be more aggressive with free agency and promotions. Sounds like they don’t think service time is enough of a reason to keep guys down when they’ll be trying to win
If they want to start being seriously competitive next season, I’m not sure they can afford to wait until May to bring up most of their best prospects. On the other hand, maybe with the new wild card slot they can.
Why exactly is Odor still starting for the Orioles?
For any baseball team
Ever since 3rd Base was tagged as the Orioles’ area of underproduction a few months ago, Ramon Urias has honestly been a solid player since then. I don’t know if it’s sustainable long-term, or if he’s the guy the O’s want at the Hot Corner for the time-being, but his recent production shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Urias, if nothing else, seems at least to have a nice floor as a utility guy.
Mateo has been on fire lately. I hope they don’t just throw him to the side once Westburg and Gunnar come up. He seems to have been getting better every game. Urias and Odor have been huge keys to the success of this team as well. Been a very fun year in bird land
Elias made comments while in the Os broadcast booth yesterday essentially saying that Mateo is solidifying his long term roster spot with each passing day.
He’s a classic post-hype prospect that never really got a fair shot at playing time in prior call ups. He’s clearly been working hard and it’s paying off on the field.
skinsfandfw;
The job the Orioles coaches are doing with Mateo is exceptional. He reminds me so much of when Ozzie Smith was in San Diego. Ozzie couldn’t hit a lick, but was an exceptional SS. Mateo’s offensive numbers are similar if one adjusts for the shifts which Ozzie didn’t have to face. And of course once Ozzie got to St. Louis and played for Whitey Herzog who knew how to use him, his offense improved. The difference is that Mateo has blinding speed and steals bases as well.
I got a kick out of watching an Orioles-Rangers game a week or two ago. Tight game, 7th-8th inning. Runner on 2nd for the O’s, batter his a hard ground ball to then left of the 2B bag. Seager goes for it and stops 3-4 feet as it goes into the OF and the Orioles take the lead. Without thinking about it the O’s play-by-play guy lets out “I’m so used to watching Matero ‘s range that I thought he’d easily get the ball”.
Ozzie stole a couple of bases in his day.
I hope Westburg is traded for a pitching prospect honestly.
I like Vavra at 2B and we have Gunnar to take short or 3rd. Mateo is showing some promise—maybe he’s a super utility guy or maybe he’s just good enough to be a starting SS.
But regardless—I’d like Westburg more as a trade chip than starter.
MJbigz44;
Mateo deserves a gold glove at SS this year.
He’s not a utility player.
I would agree with that but if Gunnar Henderson is going to be a SS—that’s a potential star. Not someone Mateo blocks unless he’s playing at this recent level.
I’ve loved Mateo all year. If he hits anywhere near what we’ve seen recently that’s a permanent starting SS. & Gunnar can easily slide to 3B.
I’m all for trading Westburg because I believe Mateo is a real player….
Agree. Those have seen my posts the last dozen years or so on this site know am a Sox fan 1st, but have always liked and admired the O’s since the days of Weaver and if am pretty certain the Sox have no chance, like this season? Pull for the O’s.
Have caught lot of their games of late and been pretty impressed. They seem to be playing like a team on a mission and for a team which has not been to the post season for this long? I’m happy for the base. Am sure long time fan here Lefty is having a great time.
Odor will rightfully be squeezed for ABs the last couple of months of the season and his roster spot may be lost. He has served a purpose for the first 100 games of the season though. Vavra, Westburg, Henderson and Stowers weren’t ready coming into ’22 and the Orioles had the full vomit-bag known as the Texas Rangers pay all of the $12m of his ’22 salary.
Odor is apparently the guy in the clubhouse also. Young players look up to him. Not sure he should be taking any ABS anymore though.
There are no comments here because nobody outside of Oriole fans care & the three of them are busy eating crab cakes & doing shots of fireball. Ahahaha!
I had no idea Odor was still in the MLB – he’s bound for Indy league baseball
His bank account would say otherwise
The New York trash always finds a way to amuse themselves. New Yorkers solution to all their problems…let’s go shopping and spend more money on credit. Get a job and leave the 100 sq ft parents basement apartment you live in. Hahahaha
It’s time to take out the New York garbage
Bright future in Baltimore!!!
It would be great if we saw Stowers, Westburg and Henderson in September. However, it is the Orioles, so I think it is very likely that at least Westburg and Henderson don’t see the field until May 2023 after the Orioles successfully manipulate service time another year…I mean…ensured that they are REALLY major league ready.
Santander likely a trade this winter. Barring a late season slump he’s an above average hitter with 25 double and 25 HR’s. Someone will trade for him for the ever eye-rolling “pitching prospects.” But if his defense is slipping he’s not really the 4th OF type….Mountcastle can also play OF in a pinch.
Odor was a placeholder all along. I’m perfectly happy if Vavra gets a long look at 2B even if he stumbles, but Urias has been playing pretty well and should get the vast majority of AB’s at 3B to at least give the appearance of being a competitor.
Having actual competition for limited slots instead of finding warm bodies to fill space on the cheap is a refreshing change!
Thornton Mellon;
Are they “manipulating service time” or are they bringing players along both in the major and minor league levels?
I’m not an Oriole fan but like the direction they’re headed. It’s just such a brutal division. The big three have money and TB is extremely smart. In order for the O’s to compete their prospects have to pan out and spending a little money. Be nice to see Boston struggle for awhile, that would help.
O’s have spent 140mm just a few years ago. They have money.
The best part of this for the Orioles is they have all these prospects, are going to be spending big on free agents, and have a ton of trade chips too. They seem like a really good team for the next few years.
Odor continues to live a charmed life. He must have compromising pics on someone cuz he has always sucked. Even in his “best” years his OBP was silly.
I agree with Steve A. Moving Santander around to increase his off season trade value. He’ll continue to be a starter. Spelling Mountcastle at 1st from time to time now included … and still getting his outfield reps.
C Yards Jeff;
Love your posts. Two things:
1. As I’m sure you know, Vavra’s father was a hitting coach for the Twins. I’ve been extremely impressed with what I’ve seen of him. Smart, disciplined hitter. Want to see how he plays @ 2B. Was afraid they’d move Urias to 2B, which he doesn’t play as well as 3B where he’s exceptional.
Vavra is a contact hitter. More MLB teams are slowly adding players like that. Cleveland has 5-6 young guys that recently came up (as well as their top prospect) that are contact hitters. It’s the best way to neutralize the hard throwing pitchers that make a living K’ing batters trying to hit tape measure HR’s. Plus they can hit a foul balls to run pitch counts up (Cleveland already has the least K’s for a team in MLB.). Winning in MLB is about balance. History shows us that when the copy cats go to extremes, the smart teams move to the center.
2. I don’t understand the “Santander will be traded” that’s all over this board. He hits decently and with some power, can play all 3 OF positions – although he doesn’t cover as much ground as Mullins and doesn’t throw as hard as Hayes. Sure, if one of their prospects comes up in 2023 and plays a sold OF then maybe at that time a trade is possible. But right now the man can only improve, and he’s a member of the young core. (Love watching Ryan McKenna as well.)
@Samuel; good hearing from ya!
Vavra. Like him, like him a lot. Looks like he belongs. Did not know his background. Interesting. Also didn’t realize that contact hitting is a strategy. Love it. IMHO, a purer form of the offensive side of the game in comparison to the launch angle dinger strategy.
Santander. I hope you are right. IE that he stays. He’s a baller. Shows up every night ready to go. Rarely gets cheated on a swing and his D is underated. Did you see his throw in Cincy. Wow. All said, I’m scared that getting action at first is a red flag they are trying to enhance trade value. Hope I’m wrong.
C Yards Jeff;
Santander at 1B…….
Don’t think it’s trade value at all. Up until tonight Mountcastle was jaking it for a bit (the rumor / announcement may have woken him up). If Santander can learn to play 1B well (contrary to popular belief, it’s an important defensive position) that will give Hyde a RH/LH option both starting the game and in-game as well.
Elias is always looking ahead. The key to winning in today’s MLB: 1) coaching and 2) flexibility in 2a) payroll and 2b) with each days roster.
Brilliant Baseball Ops head.
I don’t think it’s for the trade value either. Flexibility always helps for a trade but if you look at the orioles organizationally— that would be a huge plus.
Stowers & even Cowser is almost there. They’re all better than what’s coming soon at 1B for the O’s. Mountcastle will def spend sometime at DH.
#Samuel & Jbigz4; awesome stuff. Thanks. You’re winning me over here with your “flexibility” takes. IE. there to continue team momentum as opposed to trade value momentum in regards to Anthony’s future. I like it. Cheers!
This years orioles team is what I had hoped the Tigers would be this year. Kudos to them.
Front office looks at Odor’s age(28) and his success from a few years ago and he’s only making the league minimum and they keep waiting for him to hit 30 HR again. But with a playoff push how many ABs can you give this guy?
All the people saying to cut Odor are not watching Orioles games. This team lost two emotional leaders in Mancini and Lopez. Losing Odor would rip the heart out of the clubhouse. This team NEEDS veterans and Odor and Lyles are the closest they have. Until the off-season when they can upgrade, those two are vitally important to the team.
No, no team needs Odor and Lyles. If the team likes them then they can hire them as coaches or something.
Lyles is a perfectly fine innings eater. A decent #5/depth arm on a WC contender too. I’m somewhat surprised the O’s didn’t flip him but they may have simply valued the innings he can provide over the marginal prospect return and cash savings.
To me these guys need to be players to have that impact. Odor I guarantee you loves caking on the eye black and take his hacks pregame. The flow is completely different if he’s a coach.
As a Yankees fan I both admire and fear the work Mile Elias has done in a relatively short period of time. It shouldn’t be any surprise that the guy who worked alongside Jeff Luhnow knows how to handle a rebuild. The Orioles are well positioned to be a strong team for the years to come
Good report by Steve A. That said; I’m looking for a take on pitcher D L Hall status. Any chance he gets a call up before September 1st? Gets 2 starts in, maybe, then if solid, stays up? If Os are still in playoff hunt by then, he’s a key piece to it continuing?
Why is Odor even there? He stinks…no pun intended.
Orioles are building a monster
I’ve watched most Oriole games this year and unfortunately for Odor he has a lot of intangibles that don’t show up in the box score. He’s been great for the clubhouse. Definitely been helpful. He won’t be back though. At bats will go down starting now.
I’m watching the Orioles game – it’s an important one against the Blue Jays – and Odor just got inserted as a defensive replacement…in the FIFTH INNING. It’s pretty hilarious to ever use Odor as a defensive replacement. But the fifth inning? With the real possibility that he could waste a crucial AB late in the game?
I swear, Odor must have pictures of the entire Angelos family doing weird stuff. This guy should have been DFAed in May. It’s incredible that he’s still around and getting any playing time at all. I guess it’s because he handles the important cheerleading duties on TV whenever one of his teammates hits a home run.
Sure enough, Odor did waste the AB he got. Fortunately, his teammates ripped four homers and hung on for a 7-4 win. Odor was prominent on TV congratulating the home run hitters. That TV time is his “intangible.” Real important stuff.
Odor comes out in the 9th and talks to Bautista when he was struggling. That’s a vet move that Vavra doesn’t do. I’d usually agree with you but can’t on that one.
No need to put him in that early but glad he was playing 2B in the 9th….
True, Odor got some more TV time by standing on the mound. More real important stuff. At least he didn’t bobble the ground ball right at him for the game-ending double play.
I guess the Orioles figure that somebody else is paying his ridiculous contract, so why not let him get on TV a lot?
O’s fan here. Was not thrilled with the Odor signing. However BrashBro is spot on. Odor has brought spunk and fun to the dugout and it’s contagious. He also seems to get big hits or turn a critical defensive play when we need it. I’d like our upcoming players to get time but credit the current players and staff for making it hard to earn. These guys are fun to watch on the field and off.
They would be crazy to get rid of Mateo
I live out west…I actually watched 6 or 7 games while on vacation in MD, it was nice to hear the home team announcers and insight. I didn’t see any Elias in the booth though so I appreciate the posters who pass that on.
I had pegged the team at 61-101 in the preseason. The relief pitching has far exceeded expectations (I expected average) and is holding up the staff. The starters are merely “meh” overall rather than a black hole, and the offense overall has been a bit better than I expected…its not great but its better than last year. The games I saw were mostly fun to watch, they were winning or competitive in every game but one blowout loss.
With baseball going to a de-facto conference model and reducing divisional games from 78 to 56 that’s a step in the right direction. Its not really fair for the Orioles to have to match up on record with the Twins or Indians with so many games against the Yankees, Jays, and Rays while those two get to beat up on the Little Sisters of the Poor division. (I’d be fine with getting rid of divisions completely but I know that causes traditionalists to have palpitations)
When I say trading Santander is a good idea for the first time in five years it isn’t because the team has no hope and/or the player sucks on a big contract. He’s an above average offensive guy but with slipping defense. Your 4th OF usually serves as a defensive replacement without enough offense to be a starter unless you run a platoon (Roenicke/Lowenstein) where both guys in it get a good amount of playing time. Santander’s offense makes him a starter somewhere, but at this point does it make sense to trade him while he has value and 1 year of control and hand it over to a younger guy who may put up similar #’s who has 5 years of control OR you go out and trade for that top tier guy and pay him like they should have done with Nelson Cruz.
At the least its the first time since 2017 where the Orioles held my interest into football training camp. That’s a big step.