All Things Bubba

If the first game of the season is on opening day, then the last game must be on closing day, right? Today is "closing day" for AAA. There's still the postseason for teams that have made it, but for most minor leaguers, the season is over.

Unless they get called up to the big leagues. The Orioles say they are still considering calling up Paul Janish. They seem to really like him, but they're facing a bit of a roster crunch, and they have other needs. Lots and lots of other needs.

If they don't call Janish up tomorrow, I assume they will send him to Sarasota to work out with the other players they are keeping warm on the backburner in case they are needed. Though Janish was not on the roster by August 31, he can still be added to the postseason roster if he replaces someone on the DL.

Labels: Baltimore Orioles, Paul Janish

Paul Janish is making a great first impression with the Orioles. He got a hit in his first at-bat the other day, and made a nice diving grab.

Today was even better. He wasn't even supposed to be in the lineup, but ended up subbed in when the CFer was injured. (No, he didn't play CF. They moved the SS to 1B and 1B to CF, which meant they needed a SS.) He was the only Oriole to get a hit off Yordano Ventura - and he got two of them.

Not to mention his usual sparkling defense, like this much needed double play, and this acrobatic catch.

J.J. Hardy has really struggled this year, probably due to injury. His wRC+ is just 52. Janish won't continue batting .500, but even if he doesn't hit a lick, his defense might make him the better choice. He's opening up some eyes in Baltimore, that's for sure.

He'll likely play in the next two games in Texas, with lefties as the probable pitchers.

Labels: Baltimore Orioles, Paul Janish