The Orioles wrapped their seven-game road trip with a three-game losing streak to the Kansas City Royals. If you’ve seen their bats, please report them to 333 W. Camden Street immediately. They’re going to need them this weekend — desperately.
While all season I’ve harped on their starting pitching, it was their offense that let them down in KC. The O’s went just 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left Kansas City with a -8 run differential.
Chris Davis continues to struggle at the dish after the All-Star Break and the Orioles will need to add another bat to their bench after optioning Danny Valencia when they acquired Francisco Rodriguez. While a guy could come in a deal, MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko points out that Triple-A outfielder L.J. Hoes could be an option.
Could LJ Hoes be an in-house candidate? Should he be the next man up? You tell me.
Hoes is batting .307/.409/.407 with 25 doubles, a triple, three homers, 40 RBIs, 58 walks, 53 strikeouts and seven steals in seven attempts over 98 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He can play the outfield and has some experience in the infield, though he isn’t likely to go back there.
He also was a third-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. The Orioles didn’t take him that high to bury him in the minors.
Hoes is an interesting guy because he’s one of Dan Duquette’s most valuable trade chips as the deadline looms near. He could remain in the minors if the Orioles plan to make another deal — which Ken Rosenthal speculates.
It’s hard to deny the guy a call up though, given the numbers he’s posted in the International League.
The D.C.-native had a cup of tea in the Big Leagues last season, coming in as a late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner. He’s had just one plate appearance in the show and is looking for that first hit in the Majors.
L.J. Hoes deserves a promotion for sure