Nanner
03-15-2002, 05:42 PM
Looks like Melvin's found himself a home with the O's, and he's doing his utility player thing!!! :cool:
------------------------------------------------------
Mora Goes Into O's Utility Room
By Dave Sheinin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 15, 2002; Page D07
JUPITER, Fla., March 14 -- Melvin Mora, the Baltimore Orioles' starting shortstop in the second half of 2000 and their starting center fielder in 2001, made a belated spring debut tonight, returning from injury to a team that no longer sees him as an everyday player.
Mora, who missed the first month of spring training after breaking a bone in his left hand playing winter ball in his native Venezuela, entered as a pinch runner in the sixth inning of tonight's 5-2 victory over the Montreal Expos, and singled and grounded out in two at-bats. The Orioles expect him to be ready in plenty of time for Opening Day.
"Four at-bats," Mora said before the game. "That's all I need [to be ready for the season]. I'm a winter ball player, and we don't need too many at-bats."
With the acquisition of center fielder Chris Singleton and the return from injury of shortstop Mike Bordick, Mora no longer has an everyday position. However, that has less to do with Mora's ability than the sturdier state of the Orioles' lineup.
"Melvin is going to be a utility player, which is probably his best position," Manager Mike Hargrove said. ". . . I don't see him playing six or seven times a week. He may play three to five times a week. He may get 500 at-bats. He may get 400."
Mora said he doesn't mind the utility role as long as he is a regular part of the lineup. "I know I can play many positions. Sometimes that helps me, sometimes it hurts me," he said. "But I know I can help this team."
The fact Mora has served the Orioles in two of the most important defensive positions over the past two seasons was mostly a matter of necessity. Acquired from the New York Mets in the Bordick trade in July 2000, Mora spent the rest of the season as the Orioles' shortstop, then switched to center field in 2001 when the team re-signed Bordick.
Mora is considered such a fine utility player, contending teams frequently ask about his availability, particularly near the trade deadline. Given Mora's reduced role, the Orioles may be more willing to part with him, although Hargrove believes Mora will play an integral role for the team.
"He can play the heck out of shortstop," Hargrove said. "He can play the heck out of center field. He can play second base. He can play third base. He can play both corner outfield positions. He's a valuable commodity. Plus he swings the bat well and has good speed."
Hargrove will have to be creative to get Mora 500 at-bats, or even 400. Singleton is expected to play every day in center field, although the Chicago White Sox platooned him last season. Hargrove has spoken of a four-player rotation of David Segui, Jay Gibbons, Jeff Conine and Marty Cordova playing first base, the corner outfield positions and designated hitter.
Mora's best chance to play probably will be against tough left-handers, since Hargrove could give left-handed hitters Gibbons and Singleton the day off, or as a fill-in for Bordick, who will turn 37 in July. (Yeah?! So?!? :angry:) (Nanner's comment - :hmm: ) He might also be used as a late-inning defensive replacement for Gibbons.
Mora's greatest value lies in the unknown. Virtually no team goes through a season without key injuries, and the Orioles know when one of their players goes down, they have an in-house replacement ready.
Orioles Notes: Left-hander Richard Stahl, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Orioles' organization, has been slow to return from offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to miss at least the first month of the minor league season.
Stahl, who will turn 21 next month, did not pitch after July 10 of last season, when shoulder soreness shut him down after 12 starts for low Class A Delmarva and high A Frederick. Stahl, who is 6 feet 7 with a mid-nineties fastball, had bone spurs removed.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
------------------------------------------------------
Mora Goes Into O's Utility Room
By Dave Sheinin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 15, 2002; Page D07
JUPITER, Fla., March 14 -- Melvin Mora, the Baltimore Orioles' starting shortstop in the second half of 2000 and their starting center fielder in 2001, made a belated spring debut tonight, returning from injury to a team that no longer sees him as an everyday player.
Mora, who missed the first month of spring training after breaking a bone in his left hand playing winter ball in his native Venezuela, entered as a pinch runner in the sixth inning of tonight's 5-2 victory over the Montreal Expos, and singled and grounded out in two at-bats. The Orioles expect him to be ready in plenty of time for Opening Day.
"Four at-bats," Mora said before the game. "That's all I need [to be ready for the season]. I'm a winter ball player, and we don't need too many at-bats."
With the acquisition of center fielder Chris Singleton and the return from injury of shortstop Mike Bordick, Mora no longer has an everyday position. However, that has less to do with Mora's ability than the sturdier state of the Orioles' lineup.
"Melvin is going to be a utility player, which is probably his best position," Manager Mike Hargrove said. ". . . I don't see him playing six or seven times a week. He may play three to five times a week. He may get 500 at-bats. He may get 400."
Mora said he doesn't mind the utility role as long as he is a regular part of the lineup. "I know I can play many positions. Sometimes that helps me, sometimes it hurts me," he said. "But I know I can help this team."
The fact Mora has served the Orioles in two of the most important defensive positions over the past two seasons was mostly a matter of necessity. Acquired from the New York Mets in the Bordick trade in July 2000, Mora spent the rest of the season as the Orioles' shortstop, then switched to center field in 2001 when the team re-signed Bordick.
Mora is considered such a fine utility player, contending teams frequently ask about his availability, particularly near the trade deadline. Given Mora's reduced role, the Orioles may be more willing to part with him, although Hargrove believes Mora will play an integral role for the team.
"He can play the heck out of shortstop," Hargrove said. "He can play the heck out of center field. He can play second base. He can play third base. He can play both corner outfield positions. He's a valuable commodity. Plus he swings the bat well and has good speed."
Hargrove will have to be creative to get Mora 500 at-bats, or even 400. Singleton is expected to play every day in center field, although the Chicago White Sox platooned him last season. Hargrove has spoken of a four-player rotation of David Segui, Jay Gibbons, Jeff Conine and Marty Cordova playing first base, the corner outfield positions and designated hitter.
Mora's best chance to play probably will be against tough left-handers, since Hargrove could give left-handed hitters Gibbons and Singleton the day off, or as a fill-in for Bordick, who will turn 37 in July. (Yeah?! So?!? :angry:) (Nanner's comment - :hmm: ) He might also be used as a late-inning defensive replacement for Gibbons.
Mora's greatest value lies in the unknown. Virtually no team goes through a season without key injuries, and the Orioles know when one of their players goes down, they have an in-house replacement ready.
Orioles Notes: Left-hander Richard Stahl, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Orioles' organization, has been slow to return from offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to miss at least the first month of the minor league season.
Stahl, who will turn 21 next month, did not pitch after July 10 of last season, when shoulder soreness shut him down after 12 starts for low Class A Delmarva and high A Frederick. Stahl, who is 6 feet 7 with a mid-nineties fastball, had bone spurs removed.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company