The Fantasy Baseball Potential of the Baltimore Orioles

A man-crush is fast developing on Nolan Reimold. Several fantasy baseball analysts have shared some commentary regarding the young outfielder. Ultimately, the point of emphasis regarding this pre-spring training infatuation with Reimold stems from the lineup surrounding the young star. 

The Orioles are now a team that provides some star power to go with tremendous upside in their younger players. From a fantasy perspective, it is a lineup that can provide owners with production in a variety of ways at various points in a draft.

Brian Roberts is continually one of the earlier second basemen off the board. This is as much because of how thin the position is as it is anything else. With an ADP of 41 in ESPN leagues in 2009, Roberts delivered a .283 average to go with 16 home runs and 30 steals. While he may not get on base as much as many owners would like, he still remains in the upper-tier of the position. Projection: .285/18/80 with 30 steals, Rd 4-6

Adam Jones will see an increase in value this season as well. After being picked in the 14th round last season, Jones will likely make a move into the round seven-to-10 area based on rough estimates of what he could have done in a full season.

The outfielder will begin working out at the end of the month and expects to be ready for the start of the season. He will not likely hit in the No. 2 spot based on movements and trades, but that should help his power numbers. Projection: .275/27/90, Rd 5-7

Nick Markakis is simply steady, and remains one of the better second-half hitters in baseball. Owners simply need to expect him to start slow, as statistically, May is his worst month. If they do not, they tend to sell too low on the outfielder despite spending an early-round pick.

Hitting in the three spot again, he should hit just north of 20 home runs while continuing to drive in near 100 and hit close to .300. In fact, Markakis, Albert Pujols, and Matt Holliday are the only three players to hit .293-94-18-87 three times since 2007. Projection: .305/20/105, Rd 3-5

While Matt Wieters was not the .300 hitter that he was projected to be last season, he was far from a flop. Perhaps his projections were only a year off. Wieters steps in to 2010 with the starting job firmly secured and enough experience to be able to relax.

He will go earlier in drafts than he should again, but expect him to deliver more this year. The price you will need to pay, though, will leave you short somewhere else. Projection: .290/20/75, Rd 7-10

Then there is Luke Scott . Scott is older than you might think. He will turn 32 next season, putting him closer to the south side of his prime years than not. Still, he has increased his power during each season where he has played more or less full time. Even with injuries last year, Scott managed to hit 25 home runs in 128 games.

He will struggle against left-handed pitching, but he will also have the luxury of a first base and DH role for 2010. In the late rounds, you will be able to add some power through bringing him into your lineup. Projection: .255/30/80, Rd 17+

Rounding back to Reimold, it is evident that there are many that feel he has the potential to be something special this season. Bill James projects Reimold with 29 home runs and 13 stolen bases to go with an average hovering around .300. Some might call this overly optimistic. In some cases it is.

Reimold will require the opportunity to hit this way, but he will also need surrounding help. The major question will be where he hits, and that will alter the projections slightly. The bet here is that he is more inclined to hit seven than he is to hit two. Projection: .285/25/95, Rd 16+

After these six, there is still some deeper potential for AL-only owners, specifically. Felix Pie came on at the end of last season and was able to provide fantasy value for those that dealt with the Jones, Scott, and Reimold injuries. Ty Wiggington gives owners some positional flexibility, and it is likely that he has a starting job somewhere in Baltimore on Opening Day.

The Orioles have a question mark at third base, but there is help not too far away in the minors. They could make a play for Adrian Beltre , or they could look for a stopgap until Josh Bell will be able to start. Bell was part of the George Sherrill deal, and he proved he was worthy of the acquisition.

Between high-A and AA last season, Bell was hitting .295 with 20 home runs and 76 RBI. He still needs some more time, but could make an impact during the second half of 2010, should he produce in the same manner early.

Baltimore has not long been a fantasy hot bed when it comes to producing stars for owners. That is starting to change on offense now, and will in pitching over the course of the next two years. Keep these players in mind as the calendar turns to next year.