The Official Nick Markakis Watch Thread

[Spaceman Spiff]

He's been tearing it up so far! Can't find the box scores, but I think he's got two homers and two doubles so far...granted, he's probably facing pitchers that are bound for A ball...but whatever. Anyone who finds updates about his progress, post em here!

[jaxskins]

Hes doing real well his stats are as follows


PLAYER AVG G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI
N Markakis .800 4 5 3 4 7 0 0 1 1

[TheDoyler23]

The Markakis O Meter is rocking now. He's batting .857 for the spring.

He's walked to the plate 11 times, getting on base 10 of those times. SICK!

[kreitmaster]

Can't wait to see him in the regular season. We need to give him a shot early in the year.

[GOSKINS_08]

What position does he play?

[TheDoyler23]

What position does he play?

CF or LF. Probably a natural left.

[EvoSkins]

I would much rather see him playing in the outfield than Matos.

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

Can't wait to see him in the regular season. We need to give him a shot early in the year.

It would be nice if he's ready to go, but even though he's playing well, it still sounds like he may need to spend some time in AAA. You want to be careful about throwing a guy like him to the wolves on a team that has guys like Miggy, Roberts, and Mora in the lineup, you don't want him to feel pressure to do too much with those guys around him. Plus, this organization always seems to botch when to bring up their good minor leaguers. From what I heard, last season, after their premature call ups, Fiorentino and Penn struggled when they went back down to the minors. I say give him at least half a season in AAA. If he's still tearing it up, then bring him up.

[TheDoyler23]

From what I heard, last season, after their premature call ups, Fiorentino and Penn struggled when they went back down to the minors. I say give him at least half a season in AAA. If he's still tearing it up, then bring him up.

Fiorentino had a nice comment about that last week. He said that while he was probably brought up too early, he learned what he needs to do to stay there, and if a players abilities crumble from one stint in the majors, he didn't belong there anyway.

Markakis is an exceptional athlete, who could have been drafted as a pitcher. He may also be the first and olny "true athlete" draft pick to panm out, after Larry Bigbie and Keith Reed. Those guys were drafted for their "tools" that never fully realized.

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

I hate the drafting athletes approach the O's have. Of all the major sports, baseball is probably the worst one to use that drafting philosophy. Don't forget Tim Raines Jr and Darnell McDonald. Didn't we draft them too?

[Spaceman Spiff]

I hate the drafting athletes approach the O's have. Of all the major sports, baseball is probably the worst one to use that drafting philosophy. Don't forget Tim Raines Jr and Darnell McDonald. Didn't we draft them too?

I agree.

If I'm not mistaken, McDonalds still sucking around in the minors somewhere.

Draft proven ballplayers, please.

[oriolesfan93p]

now just how is it that you draft proven players when the players in the draft have yet to be given the chance to prove themselves.....

I know what you mean as far as players that played in a higher level in college and such, but those players are still not proven, and only a few of those actually make it to the majors.

[TheDoyler23]

I know what you mean as far as players that played in a higher level in college and such, but those players are still not proven, and only a few of those actually make it to the majors.

Yea, some teams draft via preformance over potential. Billy Beane of the A's drafts guys who usually havwe college experience and get on base. He wants OBP and not average. Some teams (like the O's) draft an outfielder becuase he looks like he can become the next Griffey although hasn't really done anything besides dominate high school pitching.

As for Nick Markakis, had a tough day yesterday going 0-3. Say it aint so!

[TheDoyler23]

Still playing great! I just can't see the O's sending him down...

[oriolesfan93p]

I hope that he is ready too, I am just not sure and I really think rushing him would be a huge mistake