Background: When the Orioles lost second baseman Robbie Alomar to free agency following the 1998 season, they used their compensation pick to select the switch-hitting Roberts out of the University of South Carolina with the 50th overall pick in the 1999 draft.
What’s up: The 5-foot-9 Roberts was the American League’s most surprising player in April (Colorado’s was the biggest National League surprise). Having never hit more than five homers or better than .273 in his previous four big-league seasons, Roberts finished April with eight homers and a .379 average.
Stat line: People shouldn’t be too astonished by Roberts’ power display. He did set an Orioles’ team record last season with an AL-leading 50 doubles.
What’s next: Dare anyone say 30-30? Roberts had 29 stolen bases last year. Entering Saturday, he had 10 in 11 attempts this year and is on pace for 54 homers and 69 steals.
Klis’ take: Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd had been trying to work a trade for Roberts the past two years. Unfortunately for the Rockies, the Orioles knew Roberts was a special talent, even if no one could have predicted this kind of start. Roberts beat the Rockies last June 20 at Coors Field. The Rockies had won the first two games of the interleague series and were in great position for a sweep when they entered the ninth inning of the finale with a 2-0 lead. But after closer walked the bases loaded, Roberts belted a grand slam. Major League Baseball already has opened its all-star voting to Internet users, and Roberts should be the AL choice at second base. He and shortstop Miguel Tejada give the Orioles, who entered play Saturday the surprise leader of an AL East Division normally dominated by the Yankees and Red Sox, the game’s best middle infield combination.
