Shorebird of the week 4-20-2006

Lorenzo Scott Jr. waits on deck during Tuesday's contest.

This week the SotW spotlight turns to a first-year Shorebird, Lorenzo Scott Jr. This 24 year old is a product of Ball State University in Indiana (a familiar Mid-American Conference foe to my Miami RedHawks) and was picked by the Orioles in the 17th round of the 2003 draft.

His 2005 offensive numbers at short-season Aberdeen were hardly eyepopping (.218 average, 3 HR, 12 RBI in 34 games with 7 steals, and 58 K’s in 133 at-bats) but his speed and solid defensive play (no errors in the field last year) has kept him in the Orioles system. So far this year their patience has been rewarded as Scott is tied for the South Atlantic League lead with 6 stolen bases and is second in the loop with a .512 on-base percentage. Hitting a solid .355 is helping that cause in the early going.

So the Shorebirds have a speedy threat at the top of the lineup – anyone who gets on base better than half the time and has the speed to be on pace for a 50 steal season will obviously get the attention of opposing pitchers. That benefits the later hitters in the Delmarva batting order and gives the team a better opportunity for a big inning. It will be interesting to see if Lorenzo Scott Jr. can keep the early success going, hopefully he’s in the process of becoming a late bloomer of sorts.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.