masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMINNEAPOLIS – He’s hitting .286 overall and .476 with runners in scoring position, so why not move Dwight Smith Jr. to the cleanup spot in the Orioles batting order? He’s there tonight for the start of a three-game series with Minnesota at Target Field.
When he was traded to the Orioles on March 8, probably not even Smith himself could have imagined things going this well with his new team. He was acquired for international signing bonus slots and has hit .286/.327/.527 with seven doubles,…

MINNEAPOLIS – He’s hitting .286 overall and .476 with runners in scoring position, so why not move Dwight Smith Jr. to the cleanup spot in the Orioles batting order? He’s there tonight for the start of a three-game series with Minnesota at Target Field.

When he was traded to the Orioles on March 8, probably not even Smith himself could have imagined things going this well with his new team. He was acquired for international signing bonus slots and has hit .286/.327/.527 with seven doubles, five homers, 18 RBIs and an OPS of .854.

“I didn’t really have any expectations (after the trade),” Smith said this afternoon in the visiting clubhouse. “Didn’t know what to expect. It was the first time I got traded, so I just looked at it as a new opportunity and a breath of fresh air, honestly.”

smith-dwight-swings-home-run-black-fenway-sidebar.jpgHeading into the series opener, Smith is riding his second eight-game hitting streak of the year and is batting .333 (11-for-33) during that run. He has seven RBIs in his last four games. Over his past 12 games, Smith is batting .311 (14-for-45) with five homers and 16 RBIs.

“I’m having a blast right now. I’m getting my opportunity and enjoying this clubhouse. Enjoying these guys and this team. The coaches and everyone have been great to me since I got here on the first day,” he said.

Smith’s previous time in the big leagues in Toronto – he hit. 293 in 104 plate appearance – gave him confidence he could be productive for the Orioles.

“It helped me a lot,” he said. “Because everything that I did with Toronto, I learned a lot over there. It carried over with me here. I felt like everything happens for a reason and it molds you into the person that you are. That you become.”

Speaking of Toronto, that is where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will make his major league debut tonight amid a whole lot of attention. Last year at Triple-A Buffalo, Smith was Guerrero’s teammate.

“It couldn’t happen to a better kid, a better person,” Smith said. “He is going to be great and I’m sure the fans will support him and the team tonight. It might be close to a packed house. I’m excited to see what he can do tonight.

“His bat is electric. He was hitting behind me when I was there. He was really advanced with his approach and is well beyond his years. He is always one pitch ahead. He’s going to do his thing. He’s got a Hall of Fame dad, so he’ll be fine.”