Shorebird of the Week – July 10, 2008

Waiting out a delay prior to Tuesday night's game, Joe was practicing the art of public relations.Joe Mahoney takes his turn at the plate Tuesday night against Greenville.

If you look at this week’s SotW honoree Joe Mahoney, you think “this guy could hit one off Comcast.” Not the sign along the right field line in Perdue Stadium, but the cable company’s building across Hobbs Road. Yes, he’s a large young man, checking in at 6′-7″ and 260. When the Orioles drafted the 21 year old New Yorker out of the University of Richmond, they too were probably thinking about moon shots off the warehouse adjacent to Camden Yards.

Reality has proven a little more difficult for a guy who was drafted in the 6th round last year. In his first full season of pro ball, Joe’s been hot and cold throughout. A decent April was followed by a May swoon, only to recover in June but see his efforts thus far in July not be too successful. This has been his weakest month as he’s just 4-for-26 with one RBI in seven games. On the whole Joe’s hitting .230 with 7 homers and 49 runs batted in. However, while his OPS is a lackluster .672 for the campaign Joe’s RBI total is second only to Joe Nowicki’s among the Shorebirds so Mahoney is showing a knack for getting guys home in any way he can. Part of that is because of a low strikeout total for a prototypical slugger, just 62 K’s in 278 at-bats. I’ve also noticed that he puts the ball in left field a lot so Joe can go the opposite way and at least put a ball in play rather than strike out and not advance a runner.

Because Joe is only 21 and won’t turn 22 until just before spring training next season, he may be one who stays here at Delmarva for a portion of 2009 in order to master this level a little more before advancing to Frederick. However, a strong finish by Mahoney may influence the decision by the O’s minor league brass during the winter.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.

3 thoughts on “Shorebird of the Week – July 10, 2008”

  1. That’s what the press guide says, along with other sources that put his weight at a similar number. Of course, 260 on him looks muscular, that same weight on me just expands my middle more.

  2. Well, dont forget he is also 6 foot 7! so he is a very tall guy so 260 is nothing for him! When i saw him i said 300! but find out how much Ryan Minor is and then compair the numbers of the two 6 foot 7 guys!! lol

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