from Amazon
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Babe Ruths are playing in Baltimore
Orioles players:
Most teams projected Markakis as a pitcher. The Cincinnati Reds had taken him each of the previous two years with the intention of using him on the mound, and Robinson was told 29 teams graded Markakis as a first-round pitching prospect.
Much to Robinson’s surprise, the radio hosts said Baltimore planned to develop Markakis as a position player.
“And I go, ‘No, you must mean pitcher - the left-handed pitcher,’ “ Robinson said. “And they go, ‘No, they drafted him as an outfielder.’ And I go, ‘No, that’s not right - not as the seventh pick.’ “
After all, Markakis went 12-0 with a 1.68 ERA that year, striking out 160 batters and allowing only 65 hits in 96 2/3 innings. Lefties who throw 96 mph with what Robinson called “a power, major league breaking ball” don’t come along often.
But Markakis also batted .439, slugged 21 home runs and drove in 92 runs - even though he was initially recruited as just a pitcher before injuries to a few regulars forced him into the lineup the previous season. Hitters like that aren’t very common, either.
“I knew Nick was a really good hitter, but it was just hard to believe that somebody was going to pass up a power left-handed arm,” Robinson said.
And then there’s Adam Jones and Matt “Chuck Norris” Wieters.
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