Luis Terrero is getting a second chance with the Orioles organization this season with Triple-A Norfolk, and the 28-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic is making the most of the opportunity.
"They all create their own opportunities," Tides manager Gary Allenson said. "Obviously, if there's going to be an opportunity [with the Orioles], he's one of the ones at the top of the list."
Through Saturday, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound left fielder was tied for third in the International League in hitting with a .331 average, third in RBIs with 39 and had five home runs and 12 doubles. Terrero had an eight-game hitting streak stopped Thursday by Syracuse.
Allenson said the wind blows in from right field at Norfolk's big Harbor Park "the first couple months of the season," taking away at least three or four opposite-field home runs so far from the right-handed-hitting Terrero.
"If somebody gave him 400 at-bats in the big leagues, he'd have 20 [home runs]," said Allenson, who spent seven seasons in the major leagues as a catcher with the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Orioles gave Terrero 40 at-bats in 2006, and he hit .200 with one home run and six RBIs. Terrero said those statistics were embarrassing because "I went 0-for-16 in my first at-bats with them. But I liked the Orioles. They showed me respect."
Allenson likes the way Terrero has learned to stay away from "bad breaking balls" and improved "his two-strike approach," leaving his outfield play as the one area for needed improvement.
"At times he drifts after the ball and doesn't get a good read," the Norfolk manager said. "But there's three guys out there playing the outfield, and communication is so important, especially for the off outfielder who isn't in the play. One thing is certain: Luis Terrero plays hard all the time, and any misplays aren't from a lack of effort."
Terrero spent most of 2006 with the Philadelphia Phillies' Triple-A team, Ottawa, ranking second on the squad with 16 home runs and second in stolen bases with 16 in 84 games. Last season, he split his time in the White Sox organization between Chicago and Triple-A Charlotte.
In 61 games with the White Sox, Terrero hit .231 with five home runs and 12 RBIs.
In 2005, he made the Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster and hit .230 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 88 games.
Double-A Bowie
