Should Orioles try Mayo or Encarnacion-Strand in outfield? | MAILBAG

Question: With Jordan Westburg returning, and presumably getting most of the time at third base, and the weakness of the outfield, will the O’s try Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in the outfield? From: Tom Gisriel

Answer: Tom, the idea of trying Coby Mayo in the outfield isn’t a new one. There was chatter about it before spring training this year, and with Westburg out, it didn’t happen.

The problem with trying Mayo or Encarnacion-Strand in the outfield is that if there is a lockout, and I expect there will be, and time is lost in spring training, and I expect that to happen, too, it doesn’t leave much time for them to learn a new position.

In the spring of 2022, spring training was about three weeks long instead of nearly six, and there were only a few days of workouts before games started.

If that happened again, and spring training doesn’t start until mid-March, or later, then there’s a lot of pressure on Mayo or Encarnacion-Strand to learn a new position.

That doesn’t mean if won’t happen, but the Orioles could also decide to give time to Blaze Alexander in the outfield, where he’s already played, but he may be too valuable in the infield, since he can play everywhere.

Question: Analytics though today seem to discredit batting averages. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Milwaukee & Tampa tied for the MLB lead in batting averages this season and went to the World Series. What are your thoughts on batting average? From: Craig Askins 

Answer: Craig, I think team batting average, like any statistic can be important in understanding success. Yes, the Brewers and Rays were tied for the major league lead with a .258 batting average. The Dodgers were third, but the Colorado Rockies, who lost 104 games, were fourth.

The Orioles and Los Angeles Angels tied for 27^th place with .234

The Brewers were second in both runs scored and RBIs and fourth in OPS and had the second-best ERA in baseball. They also allowed the second fewest hits in baseball.

If you look at that combination, that may partially help explain why they were so good.

Baseball has changed incredibly during the time you and I have been watching the game, and the number of .300 hitters has fallen dramatically. There were only seven.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, the favorite to win the National League MVP, hit .280, but led the NL in OPS and slugging percentage and was tied for the league lead with home runs.

Using combinations of stats, rather than just one to help explain team or individual success is much better than relying on one alone.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.