When Spring Training first started back in February, the Baltimore Orioles’ camp had so many uncertainties. Brandon Hyde and his staff were being tasked with trying to figure out which young players were going to be a part of the long term, which intriguing pitching prospects were likely ticketed for a relief role, whether or not Chris Davis’ new muscle would result in any production, and just how to cope with Trey Mancini’s Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis.

Now, with Summer Camp starting up, Hyde and the staff are still faced with those uncertainties heading into the most uncertain season in Major League Baseball history.

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This time, the Orioles organization gets just 60 games against Eastern Division—both American and National League—opponents to evaluate players like current young Major Leaguers Anthony Santander and Austin Hays. They’ll get to see Hunter Harvey pitch in a relief role; they’ll get glimpse as to whether or not John Means’ 2019 season was a mirage. They’ll probably get to work in some of their pitching prospects as well. And, of course, there is still that lingering question about Chris Davis.

For the first time in quite some time, the Orioles’ organization is committed to the full rebuild and is doing it right. 2022 is a season that long suffering Orioles’ fans can point to as many of their top prospects project to be ready for the Major League roster. And, while nothing is certain, there is a plan, prospects are being accumulated, and there is legitimate, long term hope of sustainability.

But, there are still games that count for the next two seasons. And, as fun as it is to think about the future and watch the prospects develop, the Major League club still needs to establish a culture. It still needs to develop its Major League-ready talent. It still needs that environment where the Santander’s and the Hays’s can develop.

Most importantly, it still needs to support its pitching staff and get outs. As the Orioles’ young pitchers begin to reach the Major Leagues, it is crucial that they are not hurt by their defense.  For all of the excitement and the uncertainty of the next two years, the Baltimore Orioles need some areas of stability.

General Manager Mike Elias gave the Major League club that when he signed 30-year-old shortstop Jose Iglesias to a one year, $2.5 million deal with a club option for 2021 at $3.5 million.

On the surface, this looked like a typical Orioles move, signing a veteran with no upside to a cheap deal. The acquisition of Iglesias wasn’t a headline maker, but barring an unlikely pennant run, there won’t be many headlines for the Orioles in 2020 or 2021. This signing, when looking at the current state of the organization and where it is heading, makes perfect sense.

Before even getting to Iglesias and what he brings, it is important to note that the Orioles seem to have a “shortstop of the future” in their system. 21-year-old Adam Hall had a promising 2019 Single-A season in which he slashed .298/.385.395 with 22 doubles, 4 triples, 5 home runs, and 33 stolen bases. Prospect evaluators project him as an above average defensive shortstop. Assuming Hall continues to develop—something that is somewhat hurt this year, at least—he won’t be ready for Major League action until 2022.

In that sense, Jose Iglesias is the stereotypical stopgap. But, he brings a whole lot more to the table than just filling out a spot. And, he definitely gives gives the Orioles certainty.

The thing about certainty is that it often isn’t all that exciting. It is far more exciting to dream about prospects coming to the Major Leagues. And, signing someone like Iglesias is even less exciting as his biggest strength is defense. Defense doesn’t get the accolades. Defense isn’t what fans dream of. And, in the case of Jose Iglesias the defense isn’t all that exciting, even if he is an above average defender.

After two brief call-ups in 2011 and 2012, Iglesias finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2013. Since then, Iglesias has ranked as one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. In fact, he ranks 10th in the Major Leagues in defensive runs saved since 2013. That fact is even more impressive considering he missed the entire 2014 season because of stress fractures in both shins. But, his total of +17 since 2013 is quite below the leader, Andrelton Simon who has a DRS of +174 during the same time period. Iglesias is clearly above average, but can’t quite be put into the conversation of the truly elite defenders at his position. He has been a consistent defender, offering a type of certainty that most teams do not have. It’s just not all that exciting.

Last season, at the age of 29, Iglesias ranked 8th in the Major Leagues according to defensive runs saved with a +7 DRS. While above average and better than most of the League, the 7th ranked shortstop, Francisco Lindor, had a total of +11 while the co-leaders, Paul DeJong and Javier Baez had a total of +26. Again, Iglesias is one of the best defenders at the position, but some may say he isn’t elite. And, again, that isn’t all that exciting.

Unfortunately, Iglesias is playing during an age where offense gets the headlines and gets paid. His relatively low WAR value is attributed to his lack of offense. For his career, he is a .277/.315/.371.

In his defense, Iglesias has been quite consistent during his career. He’s posted an on base percentage over .306 in five of his six full seasons. His career 80 percent contact rate is approximately 20 percent higher than the league average. He is, at his best, a league average hitter with a knack for making contact. Realistic expectations would be something along the lines of .270/.310/.380. Again, that isn’t headline worthy, but  Iglesias’ offensive certainty is definitely on par with what the O’s received last season with a combined .254/.315/.413 from their shortstops.

But, that unspectacular defense will make quite an impact for the Orioles’ staff. Last season, Orioles’ shortstops ranked 29th in the American League according to Defensive Runs Saved, logging in at a minus-18. So, even that unspectacular, yet above average defense will make the Orioles better, giving their staff, both veterans and prospects, a much improved, more reliable defense behind them. That’s important for a team that is coming off a 2019 in which they ranked dead last in most defensive metrics. Jose Iglesias immediately improves them.

The Orioles definitely have a bright future with the current regime’s plan already in place. There is definitely cause for optimism. This truncated 2020 season will allow the organization to give their young players some Major League experience. All of that is quite exciting. And, if 2021 can manage to be a regular season, more young players will join the fray, adding even more to that excitement.

But, until the Orioles get their best prospects up, they will rely on one of the more consistent defensive players in the sport. Jose Iglesias is a bridge until all of that excitement comes to fruition. Most veteran bridges are usually league average types who don’t even produce at a league average rate.

With Iglesias, the Orioles’ bridge is fortified by one of the best, yet unspectacular defenders in the game. It’s not exciting, but his presence will certainly make a difference for the soon to be young staff.

Gary Armida
Gary Armida

Orioles Analyst

First and foremost, a Father. After that, I am a writer and teacher who not only started my own company and published an i-magazine as well as a newsletter, but have been published by USA Today, Operation Sports, Baseball Prospectus, Baseball Digest, Gotham Baseball Magazine, and numerous other publications. As an educator, I have 20 years of classroom experience and am utilizing that experience in my current position as department coordinator. Wrote the book The Teacher And The Admin (https://theteacherandtheadmin.com/the-book/) and operate that website which is dedicated to making education better for kids.

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