Jorge Mateo Stats
- Height / Weight
- 6' 1" / 200 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- 6/23/1995 (28)
- Experience
- 4
- College
- None
Jorge Mateo Season Stats
Last 10 Games
Jorge Mateo News
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo is on the bench for Monday's contest against the visiting Kansas City Royals. The middle infielder went 1-for-2 with a strikeout in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels before being lifted for the lefty-swinging Tony Kemp. Mateo got off to a strong start last season but struggled mightily afterward and finished with a .217 batting average alongside seven home runs across 116 appearances. He did steal 32 bases, however, but is in line to see much less playing time this season, as indicated by his six plate appearances through his team's first three games this season. He boasts plenty of speed but his lack of playing time leaves him well off the fantasy radar in the 2024 campaign.
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said earlier this month that infielder Jorge Mateo would get a good bit of time in center field this spring, and manager Brandon Hyde noted on Monday that Mateo also worked at second base over the winter. "We're going to keep our options open with him. He really increases the versatility we have on this club," Hyde said. The Orioles are planning for the eventual debut of top prospect Jackson Holliday, who actually has a chance to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training. The 28-year-old Mateo has seen most of his playing time at shortstop in his time with the O's, but he may need to find his footing elsewhere on the diamond to stay in their lineup. Mateo's bat doesn't do fantasy managers any favors, but he's useful for his speed (67 steals in the last two years) in deeper fantasy leagues.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Aaron Hicks and shortstop Jorge Mateo will both be on the bench to start Tuesday's ALDS Game 3 versus the Texas Rangers. The switch-hitting Hicks and righty-swinging Mateo got the start in Game 2 versus left-hander Jordan Montgomery but will retreat to the bench with right-hander Nathan Eovaldi toeing the rubber for Texas on Tuesday. Hicks notched a two-run single the first inning in Sunday's Game 2 before clubbing a three-run homer in the ninth while Mateo had quite the game himself, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI, and a run scored despite the Orioles going down 11-8. Anthony Santander will take over for Hicks in right field while Gunnar Henderson returns to shortstop in place of Mateo on Tuesday.
Batting Order
1 | Gunnar Henderson |
2 | Adley Rutschman |
3 | Ryan O'Hearn |
4 | Anthony Santander |
5 | Ryan Mountcastle |
6 | Cedric Mullins |
7 | Colton Cowser |
8 | Jordan Westburg |
9 | Jackson Holliday |
Jorge Mateo Stats
Last 10 Games
Batting Order
1 | Gunnar Henderson |
2 | Adley Rutschman |
3 | Ryan O'Hearn |
4 | Anthony Santander |
5 | Ryan Mountcastle |
6 | Cedric Mullins |
7 | Colton Cowser |
8 | Jordan Westburg |
9 | Jackson Holliday |
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo had his first full campaign in 2022 and was a productive player. He only hit .221 but mixed in some power with 13 homers and stole an AL-leading 35 bases with 63 runs and 50 RBI over 150 games. But things are a bit murky heading into 2023. Mateo's home runs came with little raw power, considering his 31st-percentile barrel rate, and he hasn't hit enough fly balls to make up for that (24.6% career fly ball rate). The former Yankees prospect also plays at one of the worst parks for right-handed hitters in terms of long balls in Camden Yards. It's hard to imagine a significant change to Mateo's batting average next season after posting an 86.8 MPH average exit velocity. And to make matters worse, he's shown horrible plate discipline during his career, with a 27.7% strikeout rate and 4.8% walk rate while whiffing too much (30.9%) and chasing too often (35.1%). In all likelihood, Mateo won't steal 35 bases again, even with the 99th-percentile sprint speed he showed this year, especially without everyday playing time. The Orioles project to start top prospect Gunnar Henderson at short most days, with Adam Frazier and Mateo in a platoon. When the 27-year-old does play, he'll be at the bottom of the lineup and will hardly be a factor in run production. Fantasy managers are banking on another season like Mateo had in 2022 but should reconsider drafting him at his 200 ADP.