Infielder Steve Wilkerson discusses his role with the Orioles

Steve Wilkerson is among the newer players to put on a Baltimore Orioles uniform this season. Coming into the year, it was believed that Wilkerson would be part of the team in case of utilityman Ryan Flaherty leaving.

Wilkerson flashed his glove in the minors, showing the ability to play second base, shortstop and third base. He has also shown the ability to hit at the lower level, slashing .305/.375/.423 with eight home runs and 45 RBI in 400 at-bats between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie.

Though things looked promising for then 25-year old, Wilkerson was handed down a 50-game suspension by the MLB for a positive amphetamine test. It violated the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Flaherty ended up signing elsewhere and Baltimore was left without a utility player for an extended period of time.

With injuries to third baseman Tim Beckham and second baseman Jonathan Schoop, manager Buck Showalter gave opportunities to Pedro Alvarez and Danny Valencia to field third and Jace Peterson to fill in at both positions. Baltimore’s infield defense suffered for the worst and the team took a downward spiral. This couldn’t all be placed on missing a solid defender in the infield, but it did play somewhat of a role.

However, Wilkerson would make his return to the minors and toted a hot bat. Wilkerson slashed .286/.346/.529 with four home runs and 13 runs driven in. Then on June 20, Wilkerson made his major league debut, playing at third base.

Wilkerson would play three games with the club (two against Washington, one against Atlanta) from June 20 to June 22. Then Wilkerson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and recalled before Baltimore’s matchup against the Seattle Mariners on June 28, where he made his big league third start.

Schoop didn’t play in today’s 6-2 loss against the Los Angeles Angels. With Schoop batting .197 on the season, it could be assumed that Showalter wanted to take a different approach. His replacement was none other than Wilkerson, who made his first career start at second, after playing three games at third base.

“It was just nice to get out there – be in the lineup,” Wilkerson said. “ I played a lot of second base. I’ve played mostly second base coming up through the farm system. But it was nice to be in the lineup and get out there.”

There are major differences between hitting in the majors and minors. The players in the big leagues are different athletes – the best of the best. In 14 at-bats in the majors, Wilkerson is slashing .143/.200/.143 with two singles and an RBI. Despite having extremely early struggles at the plate, Wilkerson understands those differences and is optimistic about taking them on.

“It feels pretty good,” Wilkerson said of being a major league hitter. “I think that I’m about 15-16 at-bats in and I feel like I’m close. I’m putting together some good at-bats and I’m putting some decent swings on some balls. So, I’m close and I think with a little more repetition and experience out there, I’ll figure out a way to get it done.”

As mentioned before, the club dropped another game and are now down to 23-59 on the season. Though there have been many negatives on the season – a last place team, being 31.5 games out of first place and holding the worst record in the MLB – there are positives to be taken away for Wilkerson. It has given him the opportunity to make things count at the big league level.

“I’m just looking forward to getting out there to play and help this team out, put our best foot forward and help put together some good games and get some wins,” Wilkerson said. “It’s always fun when guys are doing good out there and playing well. And I’m looking forward to being part of that.”

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