Predicting the 2018 Orioles

Five years from now, who do you see starting for the Baltimore Orioles?

When I think about the 2018 season, I see a veteran, but still very young, team who has kept most of its key players.

The team I project in five years is still a relatively young team, with the oldest starting position player being J.J. Hardy at 35. This team kept pretty much all of its star power and has picked players from the farm system to fill the holes left open.

Here is how I see the Orioles lineup looking in five years:

Lineup

LF- L.J.Hoes

RF- Nick Markakis

SS-Manny Machado

DH-Chris Davis

CF-Adam Jones

C-Matt Wieters

3B-J.J. Hardy

1B- Nick Delmonico

2B- Jonathan Schoop

Pitching Rotation

RHP Dylan Bundy

RHP Kevin Gausman

LHP Wei-Yin Chen

RHP Jason Hammel

RHP Chris Tillman

I have L.J. Hoes taking over left field. A good friend of Adam “Don’t Call Me Pacman” Jones, Hoes can man left field with great speed and athleticism. He has a decent throwing arm and his addition to the top of the lineup should give the Orioles their first real leadoff man since Brian Roberts.

Old Reliable, Nick Markakis is still making his signature diving catches in right field for the birds. At 34, Nick is getting up there in age, but you couldn’t tell. His bat is still as alive as ever.

Batting third I have shortstop Manny Machado. Manny made the transition over to short to let an aging J.J. Hardy man the hot corner. Now I don’t think this is a necessary move, I think it will happen down the line. At the ripe age of 25, Machado should have a few gold gloves up on his mantle. Manny is still making the trademark barehanded plays and smacking doubles around the yard. He’s still growing and should only be getting better with age.

Batting cleanup is Chris “The Deputy” Davis. Davis has been replaced at first base, but is holding down the DH position because of his bat. His power numbers have declined, but he can still flick those wrists and send one into the center field seats every now and then. His glove is still good enough to be called upon a few times a year.

Center field is still home to Adam Jones. This bubble blowing slugger is still making the great plays in the field, and producing with his bat. Jones should count on being named to the All-Star team every year because of his talents. He has slid in the order, but that hasn’t hurt his numbers at all. He’s still out there every day smiling, and giving the occasional pie in the face after walkoffs.

Gold Glove catcher Matt Wieters is still the backstop for the Orioles but sometimes is used at DH to preserve his knees. Still one of the best defensive catchers in the game, Wieters has been a shoo-in the All-Star Game. At 32, his offensive numbers aren’t what they once were, but they are still good enough for him to be a top 10 offensive catcher ever year.

Batting seventh is J.J. Hardy. J.J. has moved from short to third to help accommodate his loss of range (reminds me of a former Orioles player who wore #8). Hardy still hits for power, but doesn’t put up the 30 home runs like he used to.

At first base and batting eighth is Nick Delmonico. Delmoncio is a young guy with a good glove at first. His offensive numbers should be on the rise. Expect to see him move throughout the order to help the lineup.

Finally, at second base and batting ninth, is Jonathan Schoop. Schoop is a solid fielder who can also put up power numbers. Schoop may not be an All-Star, but he will be good enough to stay in the Orioles lineup and make a name for himself here in Baltimore.

Do you agree with my lineup? Who would you replace?