While Ripken was held captive by the media Sunday afternoon, the question had to be asked.

What does the greatest shortstop in franchise history think of the newest shortstop in the franchise?

Manny Machado, the club’s first round pick in 2010, played this week for the Aberdeen IronBirds, the Orioles’ Short-A affiliate owned and run by Ripken Baseball.

Ripken has watched the 18-year-old play, and has come away impressed. He buys the physical comparisons to New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, also once a highly touted high school shortstop out of Miami.

Ripken also likes Machado’s 6-foot-3, 185 pound frame – from one big shortstop to another. And he likes the kid’s offensive potential; Machado had eight hits in his first 22 at-bats for Aberdeen.

“The ball jumped off his bat the other night. I like his size. And it is really clear he has emulated ARod. It’s really clear in his mannerisms,” Ripken said. “It’s probably unfair to make the comparisons that he’s an ARod type of player. But I liked his size, I liked his strength. He made a couple plays in the field really easy and I liked the way his ball jumped off his bat. He’s definitely got some good size to him.”