Mastersball

As of this writing, the Baltimore Orioles are a mere five games out of first place and tied for the lead in the Wild Card race. On this journey, however, the Orioles have been something of a M*A*S*H unit, losing both of their DHs, their second basemen for the season, and a starting outfielder. As a result, the team has had to shift players to other positions leaving a glaring issue at third base with platoon player Wilson Betemit as the starter.

Instead of shuffling in warm bodies or going out of their way to make a deal, the Orioles decided to go bold and call up their top prospect, Manny Machado. Considered a plus defender at shortstop, Machado will actually be handling the hot corner and it is his job to lose for the rest of the season.

A first glance a .266 .352 .438 line is nothing too impressive, but when you consider this is the work of a 20-year old and that this 20-year old has already hit 26 doubles with 11 homers and 13 steals, this is extremely respectable and if the righty were playing a at a lower level, he’d probably be dominating.

Keep in mind that Machado is not just a 5-tool threat, but is already a skilled player at a young age. His plate discipline is quite advanced, making contact around 85% of the time while drawing walks close to 11%.

Obviously, Machado is still learning his game and there will likely be a transition player given the two-level jump, but there is certainly an excellent combination of skills and tools that could make him a .300 20-20 player in the long run and quite possibly a 15-15 guy as soon as 2013.

If you have any FAAB left, highly recommended in AL only redraft and keeper league formats (probably already rostered in the former), and worthwhile to look at it in most mixed formats too.