$Predicting The Baltimore Orioles\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

Predicting The Baltimore Orioles' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

By Brad Faber

After winning the AL East and later advancing to the ALCS in 2014, the Baltimore Orioles stumbled to a third-place finish with a record of 81-81 last season. Heading into 2016, the O’s have a power-packed lineup and should launch quite a few home runs in the hitter-friendly confines of Camden Yards. Here is a spring training prediction of what manager Buck Showalter‘s lineup might look like on opening day.

$Predicting The Baltimore Orioles\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

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1. Hyun-soo Kim, LF — After signing a reported two-year, $7 million deal to join the O's over the offseason, Hyun-soo Kim is off to a slow start this spring, but he should be a fun player to watch once he gets rolling. Kim was a .318/.406/.488 career hitter over 10 seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).

2. Manny Machado, 3B — Last season, Manny Machado played in all 162 games and hit a rock-solid .286/.359/.502 with 35 homers and 86 RBIs. When healthy, the still only 23-year-old Machado is an MVP candidate and one of the best third basemen in the game.

3. Adam Jones, CF — Although he may have had a bit of a down year by some measures, Adam Jones was still able to post his fifth straight 25-plus homer season in 2015. The 30-year-old center fielder will be an important presence in the middle of the O's order once again in 2016.

4. Chris Davis, 1B — After hitting .262/.361/.562 with 47 homers and 117 RBIs last season, Chris Davis returned to the O's on a reported seven-year, $161 million deal this winter. Yes, Davis will strike out quite frequently, but one would be hard-pressed to find a better source of pure left-handed power.

5. Mark Trumbo, RF — Although he had a decent year with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners last season, hitting a combined .262 with 22 homers and a .759 OPS, Mark Trumbo still wasn't quite the same guy he was earlier on in his career with the Los Angeles Angels. Trumbo may never be a big OBP guy, but he should be able to get back to being a 30-homer threat, especially now that he gets to play his home games in Camden Yards.

6. Pedro Alvarez, DH — Recently signed to a reported one-year, $5.75 million deal, Pedro Alvarez gives the O's yet another power bat. Alvarez hasn't hit for much average and doesn't get on base all that often, but the former Pittsburgh Pirate has swatted 27-plus homers in three of the past four seasons.

7. Matt Wieters, C — After being limited to a combined 101 games over the past two seasons, Matt Wieters accepted a qualifying offer to return to Baltimore this offseason. When healthy, the switch-hitting Wieters gives the team yet another 20-homer threat.

8. Jonathan Schoop, 2B — Though just 86 games last year, Jonathan Schoop hit .279/.306/.482 with 15 homers and 39 RBIs. Still only 24 years old, it should be fun to see Schoop continue to develop his skills.

9. J.J. Hardy, SS — Through 114 games last season, J.J. Hardy hit only .219/.253/.311 with eight homers and 37 RBIs. At only 33 years of age, though, the veteran shortstop should be able to bounce back.

Yovani Gallardo, P — Recently signed to a reported two-year, $22 million deal, Yovani Gallardo would be a great choice to be the O's opening day starter. Chris Tillman and Ubaldo Jimenez would each be fine candidates as well, however.

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