If you know what the title is in reference to, then congratulations are in order. You’re an old f’er. I wasn’t into punk music, but the Ramones were one of the OGs and, like the smell of cheese making Jerry float in the air, that is likely how it entered my consciousness. Anyways, I had some difficulty finding a player to write up this week, but then the universe brought me to Ramon Laureano of the Atlanta Braves and Ramon Urias of the Baltimore Orioles. It’s only fitting that the Ramones had a song called “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow.”
Let’s start with Laureano. Over the last 10 games, he has four home runs in 33 plate appearances. The slash is .345/.424/.793 with a 9.1% walk rate, 18.2% strikeout rate, a massive .448 ISO and .315 BABIP. His career ISO is .184 and the highest number he tallied was .233 back in 481 plate appearances during the 2019 season. He’s also a career .244 hitter, so he’s going to regress.
But can he provide utility going forward?
To open the season, Laureano was with the Cleveland Guardians. In 83 plate appearances, he slashed .143/.265/.229 with an 8.4% walk rate, 38.6% strikeout rate and .086 ISO. Cleveland released him and the Atlanta Braves signed him to minor league contract. Due to the injury suffered by Michael Harris II, Laureano was added to the MLB roster.
Since then, he received 96 plate appearances and slashed .286/.323/.549 with a 4.2% walk rate, 28.1% strikeout rate, .264 ISO and .345 BABIP. If I remove the latest 10-game heater, the slash is .258/.270/.435 with a 1.6% walk rate, 33.3% strikeout rate, .177 ISO and .359 BABIP.
As I referenced in last week’s Lane Thomas piece, it’s difficult changing leagues mid-season. There’s an adjustment period, one that Thomas is struggling with. Could it be that Laureano has figured it out and is in a happy place? It’s possible but I have my doubts as to the sustainability of it.
The real issue, though, is that playing time could be an issue going forward. Recently, he’s been in the lineup every day because Jorge Soler has been dealing with a hamstring injury. He is slated to return very soon. When that happens, Laureano will likely revert to a short-side platoony loony with Jarred Kelenic in the outfield, as Soler and Harris II have the other two outfield positions locked up.
Ramon Urias is and has been a utility player for the Orioles ever since he was claimed off waivers in 2020. He has received 27, 296, 445, 396 and 236 plate appearances. During that 445-plate appearance season, Urias hit 16 home runs!
He was in that familiar role this season until injuries struck the Orioles. Jordan Westburg suffered a fracture in his hand after getting hit by a pitch. Urias started the next game but then Coby Mayo was called up to the majors.
Well, in 20 plate appearances, Mayo slashed .059/.200/.059 with a 50% strikeout rate. Mayo was sent back down on August 14th and Urias has started the last five games. In those 17 plate appearances, he’s slashed .429/.471/.929 with an 11.8% walk rate, 23.5% strikeout rate, .500 ISO and .444 BABIP. The average exit velocity is 93.5 mph!
The beauty of small sample sizes!
This kind of production obviously isn’t going to continue but Urias is a solid player with a decent track record. Throughout his major league career, he’s been relatively consistent, posting a walk rate in the 7 to 8% range, the strikeout rate has been in the low-20s and the ISO has been .160 or better twice. The batting average has been in the .250 to .270 range. And that’s mostly been done in a role not playing every day.
The opportunity is here for regular at-bats and to get into a flow. Urias has no speed but there’s a little pop in his bat. He has 2B and 3B eligibility and, while he will bat towards the bottom of the order, the Orioles are one of the most potent offenses in the league; 3rd in runs, 1st in home runs, 1st in SLG and 2nd in OPS.
