With Opening Day less than three weeks away, we’ll take a look at a member of the 2016 Orioles every day as they try to return to the playoffs for the third time in five years this season.
March 1 – Adam Jones
March 2 – Chris Tillman
March 3 – Jonathan Schoop
March 4 – Brad Brach
March 5 – Nolan Reimold
March 6 – Yovani Gallardo
March 7 – Matt Wieters
March 8 – T.J. McFarland
March 9 – Dariel Alvarez
March 10 – Brian Matusz
March 11 – J.J. Hardy
March 12 – Mychal Givens
March 13 – Ryan Flaherty
March 14 – Ubaldo Jimenez
Age: 30
Contract status: Under club control through the 2016 season
2015 stats (with Arizona and Seattle): .262/.310/.449, 22 HR, 64 RBI, 62 R, 0 SB, 545 PA
Why to be impressed: The right-handed slugger has averaged 26 home runs per season over the last five years and owns a .460 slugging percentage over that stretch. Trumbo also possesses a strong throwing arm for a corner outfield spot and plays solid defense at first base, which will allow manager Buck Showalter to spell Chris Davis defensively from time to time.
Why to be concerned: Trumbo posted his lowest walk rate (6.6 percent) since 2012 while he homered in just four percent of his plate appearances, a clear drop-off from his homer rate of 5.2 percent from 2011-2013. His defense in the outfield has been worth minus-12 defensive runs saved in his career, which is a concern since he’s currently expected to be the club’s regular right fielder.
2016 outlook: Moving from Safeco Field in Seattle to Camden Yards should help Trumbo’s offensive production, but the value he brings with the bat could be largely wiped out if he isn’t capable of playing solid defense in the outfield. His value and $9.15 million salary would be maximized as a designated hitter, but the addition of Pedro Alvarez means Trumbo will likely play most of his games in the outfield.
2016 not-so-scientific projections: .254/.303/.465, 26 HR, 72 RBI, 68 R, 0 SB, 554 PA
