Fernando Lunar

The catcher with the out-of-this-world name came to the Orioles in the B.J. Surhoff deal last July, hitting .125 in a cup of coffee with the Orioles. Lunar came to the Orioles with a no-hit, solid-field reputation, and the Orioles were hoping for improvement as he was only 24 years old.

Terry Crowley appears to be a solid hitting instructor, but he's not a miracle worker. There was nothing in Lunar's minor-league numbers to make one think he'd ever be a hitter, and his 180 plate appearances for the 2001 Orioles did not change anyone's mind.

At the end of July, Lunar was hitting a respectable, though totally empty, .272. The problem is, even then, he demonstrates absolutely no power whatsoever (in just over 400 ML AB, he's still looking for Home Run Number One.)

Lunar does have a cannon for an arm, though he does not totally shut down running games. His total inability to hit, especially without any authority, will doom him to a perennial career as a backup catcher and defensive replacement.

To contribute to the Orioles in 2002, Lunar must:

(1.) borrow David Segui's steroids. A batter 6'1", 190 who has yet to hit a home run in over 400 AB?

(2.) add 150 points to his batting average.

(3.) defend more as he did early in the season than later. He must be good enough to shut down the other team's running game altogether to play with his batting average and slugging numbers.

NOTES: actually pinch hit once. Surprisingly, he did not get a hit...hit .290 in day games in 62 AB...Hit .353 in 17 AB against the Angels, .385 in 13 AB against the White Sox...pretty impatient hitter for someone who can't hit (3.2 pitches per plate appearance)...may be the slowest player in the majors in 2001.