Baltimore Orioles Soundoff

Are you serious?

The Orioles--and all of Major League Baseball--knew Nick Markakis would be a special player, but they weren't ready to give him a roster spot just yet. He isn't ready, right?

It may be time to think again.

The Greek God of Orioles Baseball--as myself and at least one other person calls him--is tearing up spring training pitching so far and giving the Orioles a tough, yet oh so sweet, decision to make.

After reaching base in eight of his first nine plate appearances, including a home run against the Washington Nationals, Markakis has the Orioles smiling like kids in a candy store and saying, "Hidalgo, Matos, Conine, Millar and Newhan who?"

Many highly prized young talents hit the Minor League's and dominate rookie ball and A-ball and then smash into a wall of mediocrity when they go against upper-level pitching, Markakis--probably an upper-level pitcher himself--has only gotten better and more dominant with his rise in the organization.

Oh and, by the way, I take full credit in discovering Mr. Markakis, having been on the field with him and speaking with his family the day he signed his original contract after being drafted in the first round. (ok, not really, but it was still cool.)

A jumbled and cloudy Orioles outfield--only Jay Gibbons has job security in right--can become as clear as an epiphony if Markakis can excel as the left fielder.

A young and highly talented group of Matos or Patterson, Gibbons and Markakis is a powerful combination, turning last year's pitiful outfield production into a potential all-star studded situation.

Markakis will be a great pro. Only when his reign of terror against AL pitching will begin remains to be seen. However, the future is bright. The Orioles have built and built and now have such a wonderful core of young and upcoming superstars that their losing days look like they can soon be coming to an end.

Without a starting pitcher over the age of 30, an infield that has already been the starting lineup at an All-Star game and now, a young and talented outfield, the Orioles look to be heading in the right direction.

It may not be this year, however some analysts believe they can compete (me), but soon. The O's are building in all the right places and it begins and ends with the future new God of Mount Eutaw Street.


Possible 2007 Orioles line-up...(and beyond)

1) Brian Roberts -- 2b--29 years old
2) Nick Markakis--LF--23 years old
3) Melvin Mora--3b--34 years old
4) Miguel Tejada--SS--30 years old
5) Javy Lopez--DH--35 years old
6) Jay Gibbons--RF--29 years old
7) Val Majewski--1b--25 years old
8) Ramon Hernandez--C--30 years old
9) Luis Matos or Corey Patterson--CF--28 and 27 years old respectively

Avg. Age: 29 years old

That is a young, powerful and pretty speedy starting line up. All of the above mentioned players have either been an All-Star or have All-Star potential.

Rotation:
1) Daniel Cabrera--24 years old
2) Erik Bedard--26 years old
3) Kris Benson--32 years old
4) Adam Loewen--22 years old
5) Rodrigo Lopez--30 years old

Other possible starters include:
Bruce Chen--30 years old
Hayden Penn--22 years old

Closer:
Chris Ray--24 years old

Avg. Age: 26 years old

As you can clearly see, the future is bright and the Orioles are jam packed with up and coming homegrown talent.

It is finally time to see these baby birds take flight.