masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgRobert Andino is making another start at second base, which keeps Ryan Adams glued to the bench

Adams has made three starts since the Orioles purchased his contract, and he’s 2-for-12 after batting .303 with Triple-A Norfolk. Andino is the leadoff hitter when Felix Pie isn’t in the lineup, and Showalter is going with the better defensive player at second.

Showalter is hoping that Adams is learning a thing or two from the dugout.

“As much as you tell him, it’s kind of up to him just a…Robert Andino is making another start at second base, which keeps Ryan Adams glued to the bench

Adams has made three starts since the Orioles purchased his contract, and he’s 2-for-12 after batting .303 with Triple-A Norfolk. Andino is the leadoff hitter when Felix Pie isn’t in the lineup, and Showalter is going with the better defensive player at second.

Showalter is hoping that Adams is learning a thing or two from the dugout.

“As much as you tell him, it’s kind of up to him just a little bit, too,” Showalter said. “I watch him a lot during the games, see if he’s watching the game. I’ll go down there and ask him a question, what have you. He’s engaged and I want the experience for however long it lasts to be a good one for him.

“There’s something to be gained from it. It’s impressive that the kid came off the bench last night and put a good at-bat together.”

The Orioles will eventually option Adams to Norfolk so he can play every day.

“At some point, once we get things shaken out, to be the prospect that we think he might be, he needs to be getting consistent at-bats somewhere,” Showalter said. “It might be an adjustment we make, but we’ll see if the roster allows us to, because right now he’s our only infielder that’s on the bench.”

The Orioles could bring up a utility player from Norfolk to take Adams’ place – Brendan Harris, Nick Green and Blake Davis remain on the Tides’ roster – if they don’t go outside the organization.