I don't know a ton about Reimold's defense, but it seems like a position change may help him find a niche in the organization. Every position in the infield except for 2nd base is going to be a question mark after this season barring some resignings.

If Scott starts hot and Montanez starts hotter, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them dealt, which would bump Reimold up the list a bit.

Basically, any future Reimold has with the organization is dependent on either multiple injuries, trades, or a position change. I doubt anything he could do in spring training could get him a spot unless Pie and Montanez are complete meltdown, busts, but I just don't see it happening.

I thought you might be low on the HR prediction at first and then remembered that Norfolk's stadium is a pitcher's park. 20 sounds about right, but I actually think he'll hit more in Baltimore when he gets there.

The fact that he doesn't have a clear path to the majors is the best sign of progress regarding the depth of talent in the O's system...at least in 1-2 positions. In the last 10 years he would have made the jump last year or would have easily been promoted out of spring training. A surplus of talent in the outfield will likely mean a trade or two mid-year and more depth. Let's hope they all succeed and we have that good problem to worry about.

Since Pie cannot be sent down without clearing waivers, he will have to sit and wait in Norfolk until someone gets hurt or fails badly. I would have liked for Montanez and Reimold to have been given more of a shot, but both will be in the minors to start the season, because of Freel, Wigginton and possibly Gomez plus a back up catcher will round out the roster. Too bad, I am not a believer in Pie yet, but numbers could change my mind. He has the size, power and arm to have a good future in the major leagues.

from what i understand reimold is an excellent defensive outfielder with a very strong arm. last yr was the first yr he played healthy and his power numbers in the playoffs were outstanding. it seems the orioles are being very conservative with their top prospects so i would think reimold starts the season in norfolk unless pie has a horrible spring and reimold has an extraordinary spring. i would hope the orioles make a trade with scott combined with a couple of other players like sherrill and jamie walker to bring in several more prospects to help the depth of the organization

I agree the O's will regret trading for Pie. The O's are stacked in the outfield with Freel, Scott, Montenez, and Reimold all competing for the final spot. So why trade pitching, which will be the O's downfall this year, for another outfielder. Still, Montenez is too old to be considered a serious prospect so I anticipate we will se Reimold in Baltimore around August.

Dean,
I agree with your offensive stats but was wondering if you think a position change is in order. I think he is an average to above-average RF with a nice arm and was adjusting to LF. If Pie shows promise and Lou keeps on impressing, could we maybe see a position change in Nolan's future? Maybe 1B. If keeps improving his plate discipline and his power numbers remain high his bat will play somewhere in the majors. Either way depth is a nice problem to have. I think as long as he keeps hitting he can play in the majors at some point, but it looks like this year barring injury he will be at AAA and like you say the best thing to see would be another healthy full season out of him.

A right-handed power hitter with patience, the o's don't need that right?
I will be very dissapointed if he is traded or not given a chance in the big leagues. I know Pie had some success in the minor leagues, but he still never showed any patience or power. Also, I believe he was a CF in those years which made his value a little higher because defense is weighted much more for that postiton. Anyway, I really like reimold and hope he does well this year and can't wait to see him with the big club.

I'm seeing speculation on the net that the Braves could be interested in a trade for Luke Scott. I personally like Luke, but with the left-field depth in our system (Pie, Freel, Montanez, Reimold), Scott for a couple of good Braves prospects good be beneficial for the Birds. Heard anything about this?

Scott, Pie, Freel and Montanez are all ahead of Reimold. The only way Reimold gets a shot with the O's is trade or injury. I was surprised he didn't get a spring invite last year, I don't think the O's hold him in high regard at this point in his career.
I see Reimold as a AAAA or utility guy unless he stays healthy.. But he does have the power and arm for a MLB corner OF.

It's not a question of having Pie OR Reimold. It's great that we have them both. Throw Scott and Montanez into the mix and it's simply a terrific situation.

We all know how unusual it is for the Orioles to have too many (let alone even one) prospects for a single position, but that's how teams get built and eventually win and we - the fans - should wallow in it.

A lot of things can and will happen in the course of this coming long season and, should it come down to one guy against another guy for the position, then let the best man win, which is as it should be.

Trembley likes guys that can bring more then one glove to work. The O's don't have a monster prospect at 1st. So getting him some games at Norfolk against AAA pitching and adding a corner infield position to the resume would seem in order.

I'd also think that Montanez might see some time at third for the Norfolk club as well. It would be really nice to have two versitile guys with big right handed bats waiting in the wings at AAA for a change.

If Weiters starts the yr there it could be a potent middle of the lineup there for awhile. Reimold, if healthy does have some talent and will battle his way to the majors sooner or later..

I have read in various media that Reimold is not considered a top prospect, for whatever reason, by many baseball scouts. It will be interesting to see how far he progresses. He will be 26 this fall, so the term"prospect" will not apply indefinetly.

Reimold will have a long and excellent major league career. With some team not named Orioles.

Agree with you Fang. What a nice problem. May we have many more of them. I don't see Reimold being up in 09 barring injuries or trades, but considering that Freel's style of play has put him on the DL more than a few times, he may be up in a platoon with Pie sooner than we think.

Our outfield is almost an embarrassment of riches. Pie has a world of potential, but if he doesn't work out, in goes Scott. If Freel got hurt, up comes Reimold or Montanez.

A year and a half ago, our outfield would have been a disaster zone if Nick had gone on the DL. Whomever would have replaced him would have joined Patterson and Payton. While it would still hurt if it happened now, we've got the depth and flexability to survive it.

Nolan is a great prospect, but he needs to show he can stay healthy for another season...his injuries really delayed his development. If Pie fails, I think Montanez or Riemold should be given a shot by mid-June, depending on who of the two earns it. Defensively, Riemold has a huge edge over Montanez.

I always have liked riemold, he has good speed, a good arm and tremendous power potential. It will be very interesting to see how he and montanez hit in Norfolk because it is a huge ballpark from what I saw and heard. They would both need to show patience and use the whole field or be subject to problems.

I think Reimold starts in Norfolk because the Orioles want him to play every day. They think of him as a potential fixture in the OF, and it would severely hurt his progress to come up and sit on the bench. Reimold needs to play, considering his history of incomplete seasons.

He has no at bats above AA. Let's not rush him. Remember what happened to former prospects like Val Majewski and Jeff Fiorentino when the O's got desperate. This is the nice thing about organizational depth. There is no longer the need to get desperate (at least at certain positions like OF).

with the height he has, why not try him at 1base?

In a perfect world, Pie becomes a top-defensive solid-bat left fielder, Reimold becomes a 30-HR first baseman, and Montanez becomes a .300/.400/.500 DH.

Don't bemoan the fact we may be "too deep" in some positions. Whe was the last time we ever said that? Grich and Baylor? Have faith in Andy to make a move for a 3B, a 1B or a pitcher if the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, let's pull for Reimold.

Seems like most folks all like Nolan, and it's good to hear about a good defensive arm. Good reviews on Right handed Power with plus defense is always welcomed. And like others have mentioned, I'm delighted the O's have a wealth of something.

I like Lou at lot too, and am Luke warm on Scott. I'm not the biggest believer in Pie. If the Braves wanna deal, let's ship out Pie, Scott, Liz, Penn, and PLTBNL for Tommy Hanson. If McPhail gets 5 for 1, he can go the other way too. Alright not really.

Who is playing 1st and 3rd at Norfolk that would stop a position change for Nolan or Lou? I mean, are those guys likely to reach as major leaguers?

Reimold and a pitching prospect should be used as trade bait to lure Gavin Floyd from Chicago.
Reimold will probably develop into a decent major player, but Lou Montanez is going to be better than Pie or Reimold. Reimold looks like his destined to become one of the players who'll always find a way to stay injured.

I'm not sure having lots of people, without a standout, at one position is necessarily a good thing. Scott is the only proven quantity. Pie has Corey Patterson written all over him. He is being given the job, just like Luis Hernandez at short last year. We had a ton of shortstops, but that didn't work out too well.

the O's should make a 1st baseman
out of him.

Considering that Reimold bats right-handed, and that Pie, Huff and Scott all hit from the left side, he would seem to be a logical candidate to play a bit of left, first and DH. But then the O's signed Ty Wiggington to fill that exact role. They must not have much confidence in him.

Still, I think that while he may not hit enough to be an everyday corner, he could potentially be a valuable 4th outfielder.

Why all the negative thoughts about Pie? Could the fact that he played under manager Lou Pinella have something to do with his dismal record in the majors? McPhail was there when Pie was originally signed - he knows his potential. Let's give the kid a chance before we hang him out to dry.

I hope the O's don't fall into the same trap that our neighbors to the south (the Redskins) did. That is, to assume that a player who was signed to a lucrative contract, or who is a high draft pick, is the better player. The Skins let Ryan Clark go to the Steelers and Antonio Pierce to the Giants. Both were home grown products. Both those guys did great w/their new teams, meanwhile their expensive replacements, especially Clark's, stunk. This left field situation is what concerns me. In an article about the position yesterday, Jeff Zriebec didn't even mention Lou Montanez's name. Instead, it was all about Felix Pie, Ryan Freel, and Luke Scott. Just play the best guy, O's. Don't try to justify your trades and/or expensive contract signings.

Scott will stay need his left handed bat off the bench and possible DH. Pie Montanez and Reimold are all in the same bracket. Pie a once #1 prospect seems to have the nod. Montanez and Reimhold can be dealt as the organization has a dire need for infeid prospects particulary at the corners. Our outfield depth is promising if it play out. Could be one of the best in three years if they all perform