Scouting Manny Machado



He was drafted out of high school and has been compared to Alex Rodriguez. This is Orioles prospect Manny Machado. Machado was selected by the Orioles with the 3rd overall pick in the 2010 Ameteur Draft, and is projected to be their shortstop of the future.

Does this remind anyone of a certain Alex Rodriguez?



Machado tends to stand in the back of the batter's box, giving him more time to see a pitch and get good wood on it. Machado's batting stance is similar to that of Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond. He is a righty, his back foot is stationary very close to the catcher, and his front foot is stretched out left towards third base. However, despite these close similarities to the finesse hitter, Machado also has similarities to power-hitter Alex Rodriguez. The actual way he swings the bat is quite similar to that of Rodriguez. He has a very simple swing, and it stays nice and straight, allowing him to make contact with the ball right on the sweet spot.

No ground balls are getting by this kid. Hit 'em there; you're out.



Machado is also solid in the field. He has great range and a solid arm. The way he throws is at a one half arm slot, similar to the way a side-arm pitcher pitches. This arm motion is also comparable to that of Alex Rodriguez. Generally, it is unorthodox to throw side-arm, as it fatigues your arm much quicker than the tradition methods of over-the-top throwing and using the three quarter arm slot. These two methods fatigue your arm much more slowly, and generally generate a stronger throw with less effort involved. However, both Rodriguez and Machado get it done with the one half motion, and it certainly hasn't held them back.


This kid IS the future of the Orioles.

When the Orioles spent a first-round pick on this kid, they knew he'd be their future. Great teams are built around a great shortstop (see: Jeter-era Yankees, Rollins-era Phillies, etc.), and that's exactly what Machado is going to be. The next great shortstop. Can't wait to see this kid taking grounders at Camden Yards, and hopefully I won't have to for much longer.