Robert Andino

Although calling Andino's 2011 season a “breakout” may be overdramatic, it was clearly the best of his young career. The 27-year-old hit .263/.327/.344 in 139 games with the Orioles. Unfortunately, Andino lacks power, only hitting five home runs and 22 doubles. Still, if he can hold on to the leadoff spot, which he earned at times by season's end, he could improve on career-high totals in runs (63) and stolen bases (13).

Andino gives the Orioles depth in the middle infield, but he spent most of the 2010 season in Triple-A. A September audition didn't go too badly, but the Orioles traded for J.J. Hardy to address their organizational need at shortstop. Don't bank on Andino as a starter, as the Orioles are not sold on him in an everyday role. His .226/.275/.318 line over 403 career big league at-bats should say enough about why you should avoid him even as a middle-infield stopgap in AL-only formats.

The Orioles swapped Hayden Penn for the slick-fielding Andino just before the 2009 season. He was thrust into an everyday role when Cesar Izturis missed a month following an appendectomy. Andino sizzled for a few games, but clearly he is not an everyday bat. As such, he doesn't carry much value beyond occasional filler in deep AL-only leagues.

His offensive numbers at Triple-A continue to creep up as he matures, hinting that he's ready for regular duty in the majors, but with just 144 at-bats in the majors over four seasons he's got to be growing frustrated with his chances of ever getting a real shot with the Marlins. The team seems comfortable with Alfredo Amezaga as their main infield backup and they added Emilio Bonifacio to the mix as well, so unless Dan Uggla prices himself out of the club's plans or Andino gets traded he'll probably be forced to watch one more year slip into his rearview mirror.

Andino started to develop some power in 2007, setting new career bests for home runs and SLG at Triple-A. Combined with his solid defense it provides some hope that the 24-year-old might be able to carve out a major league job for himself someday, but it would help if he could learn to control the strike zone better. There's a small chance a big spring might land him a starting spot, either replacing Miguel Cabrera at third base or pushing Dan Uggla over to third while Andino slides in at second, so he is someone to keep on your radar in March.

Hanley Ramirez's success cements Andino in a utility infielder role that his skill set is probably best suited for anyway. He'll still only turning 23 early in 2007 and could have some room to develop, but his numbers at the plate showed no real improvement at Triple-A. Whatever major league role he earns will be purely as a result of his glove.

Andino looked overmatched at the plate when the Marlins pressed him into service late in the season, but he'll get another chance to win a spot in spring training. More likely though, he'll head back down to Double-A and try to find some offense to match up with his defense.