Richie Martin flashed in his second game back with the Orioles this season.
Tyler Nevin had a breakout game this past weekend against the Royals.
Rougned Odor has been a clutch hitter for the Orioles all season.
These players could represent the next shift for the Orioles’ infield during the next phase of the season, especially with the recent injury to Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo’s struggles at the plate.
The Orioles selected Martin’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Urías, who landed on the IL with an injured oblique. Martin is valuable because of his versatility and is able to play every infield position except first base.
Martin had three hits, including two triples, in his second game back in the majors, a 10-7 victory against Kansas City June 12. The hits made up for a costly throwing error that led to a big inning for the Royals.
“I’m just working really, really hard,” Martin said after the game. “Work, and trying to trust the process and trusting in God’s plan.”
Nevin is another intriguing player who has held down the job at third base since being recalled June 3. He starting to flash his power, hitting a three-run homer on June 11 in a 6-4 victory against the Royals. Nevin can also play the corner outfield spots.
Nevin is slashing .217/.313/.301 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 26 games entering play June 14.
“I will be ready for whatever is thrown my way,” Nevin said. “You have to be ready for whatever is in front of you.”
With Mateo batting .212/.244/.344 with four homers and 15 RBIs in 55 games, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is going to give some other players an opportunity to show what they can do, especially as the team continues with the rebuild.
Odor, 28, has been a staple in the lineup because of his spark on both offense and defense. Odor slugging .465 and 15 extra-base hits since May 1 and has made several solid plays defensively. He’s a leader in the clubhouse, has a knack for the clutch hit and also has shown impressive power this season.
“Rougy’s up there to do damage,” Hyde said. “He’s going to swing hard and he’s looking to drive the baseball. Right now, the pitches that he can, he’s getting to them.”
Stowers Makes Most of Opportunity
Kyle Stowers made his Orioles debut June 13 in Toronto, smashing an RBI double that scored Adley Rutschman in the seventh inning.
It produced the Orioles’ only run in the 11-1 setback.
Stowers, 24, was initially placed on the taxi squad with Anthony Santander and Keegan Akin landing on the restricted list for the Toronto trip. Players serving as substitutes in Canada are not required to be added to the 40-man roster, and those out of options do not have to clear waivers to be sent back to a minor league affiliate.
Stowers, the Orioles’ No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was batting .253/.356/.545 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 34 RBIs in 209 plate appearances for Triple-A Norfolk. Stowers hit three home runs and drove in five runs in a 14-3 victory against Charlotte on May 22.
Now, he his first major league hit and RBI.
“He’s got a chance to hit,” Hyde told the media. “He’s still a really, really young player, like a lot of our guys, but he’s got big upside. You don’t know what it’s like here until you get here. To see it up close and to see what a big-league clubhouse feels like, it’s just a lot different when you get here.”
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