Fantasy Tip

For what it’s worth, Miguel Tejada no longer considers himself a home run hitter, preferring to rack up hits in pursuit of a high batting average. He’s been working hard to improve his hitting the other way as opposed to swinging for the fences, he told the Listin Diario.

Keep in mind “I’m not a home run hitter” was the yearly mantra of Ken Griffey, Jr. during all of his 50+hr seasons in which the pursuit of 61 was a legitimate possibility. However, a once in a generation stud in the middle of his prime with a perfect home run swing and mammoth natural power humbly saying he’s not a home run hitter feels a little different than an…ahem…31 year old SS who once had 35hr power and now has 25hr power saying he’s no longer about hitting the long ball.

If Tejada’s preference translates into a significant dip in power, it will be more dismal news for Oriole fans who are already suffering through the rapid declines of Melvin Mora and Javy Lopez and appear ready to take what projects to be a pretty lengthy turn as the new whipping boys of the AL East.