masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBaseball America rolled out its “best tools” list for the American and National Leagues today. Of the 25 categories where they surveyed AL managers and ranked the best players, just two Orioles made the list.

Matt Wieters was ranked as the best defensive catcher in the AL, ahead of Minnesota’s Joe Mauer and Alex Avila of Detroit. Adam Jones was rated by league skippers as the second best defensive outfielder, behind only Franklin Gutierrez of Seattle.

Wieters has thrown out 27 of 67…Baseball America rolled out its “best tools” list for the American and National Leagues today. Of the 25 categories where they surveyed AL managers and ranked the best players, just two Orioles made the list.

Matt Wieters was ranked as the best defensive catcher in the AL, ahead of Minnesota’s Joe Mauer and Alex Avila of Detroit. Adam Jones was rated by league skippers as the second best defensive outfielder, behind only Franklin Gutierrez of Seattle.

Wieters has thrown out 27 of 67 attempting to steal and his 40.3 percent ratio is second best in the AL to Tampa Bay’s Kelly Shoppach, who is 15-for-30 for 50.0 percent.

Jones, who won a Gold Glove for his fielding in 2009, leads AL outfielders with 302 total chances and ranks tied for third with 11 outfield assists, a total that is first among all major league baseball centerfielders.

Checking in with other random notes:

* The Orioles have now lost seven of their last nine home games and at 44-69 overall, are a season-worst 25 games under .500.

* The Orioles have lost consecutive home games by one run for the first time since April 24-25, 2009 against Texas. The White Sox have won two in a row at Camden Yards by a single run for the first time since April 20-22, 1993.

* Over his last six games, Nick Markakis is 8-for-23 with three doubles and four RBIs. Over his past three games, Jones is 0-for-12. Matt Wieters is 4-for-7 in this series with two doubles and three runs.

* Chris Jakubauskas has allowed just one earned run over his 12 innings covering six appearances, lowering his ERA from 6.70 to 5.46 in those games.

* The Orioles’ bullpen has pitched to an ERA of 2.08 over the last five games, giving up four earned runs over 17 1/3 innings.