A 3-4 week against the New York Mets and the Houston Astros has turned a strong season into a season of concern for the Baltimore Orioles and their fans.
The Orioles’ struggles since the All-Star break have started to gain focus as the season enters its final 30 games.
Injuries are mounting, and depth is being challenged, though the Birds are fighting. Time is growing short, and flaws are shortening in the time to correct them.
So, let’s jump in and see who made this week’s edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
The Great: Anthony Santander
I know it’s hard to take a guy with four hits in his last 27 at-bats (.148 avg) and put him in the great category, but it’s what he has done with those hits that make the difference.
Tony Taters is having a career year but is also coming up big in moments when the Orioles need something big to happen.
In the Orioles’ 9-5 victory Tuesday against the Mets, it was Santander’s two-run blast that kick-started the scoring and paced the Birds to victory.
In Friday’s 7-5 victory over the Astros, Santander blasted a go-ahead grand slam. Taters’ 38th home run of the season just might be the turning point in the season going forward.
The Good: Ramón Urías
Ramón Urías is the poster child for taking an opportunity and running with it. Already a strong defender, Urías is starting to see his bat come around with more playing time.
Over his last seven games, Urías is slashing .286/.384/.714/1.098 with two home runs, four runs scored, six RBIs, six strikeouts and two walks.
He’s started using his sneaky power as he has totaled four of his nine home runs in August alone, while a third of his extra-base hits on the season have come this month.
In 589.1 innings at third base, Urías has committed just five errors. He’s reliable wherever you put him in the field.
The Ugly: Jackson Holliday
Mired in a slump that has seen the top prospect collect one hit in his last 20 at-bats, Holliday is struggling to adapt to the rigors of a big league schedule.
Granted, the one hit was a game-winning three-RBI double, but Holliday has struck out nine times to only one walk over his last seven games.
Holliday does show flashes of his potential, as per his five home runs and 19 RBIs. Unfortunately, the kid is striking out 38% of his at-bats, is hitting .221 off balls in play and has walked only six times in 125 plate appearances (less than five percent of the time).
Holliday is only 20 years of age, but he will need to turn things around quickly with Jorge Mateo looking to be out most of the remaining season. Not to mention, there is no timetable for Jordan Westburg to return as of yet.
The Orioles are off Monday and will head to Los Angeles for a three-game series with the Dodgers. Then, they head to Colorado for a three-game set with the Rockies.
Will Santander continue to pace the Birds forward? Will Urías continue to impress and show he can be a valuable asset? Can Holliday turn things around now that Golden Tee is in the club house?
Tune in next week for the next edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
Which player stood out most to you this week? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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