Baltimore Orioles: 5 Players Who Still Need to Prove Themselves to Fans

Every team in the major leagues has those few guys who are the leaders and faces of the franchise.

And for every good player on a team, there's someone who is not performing like they should.

The Baltimore Orioles are no exception to this rule, even with a 19-11 start to the season. They have their guys who are setting the world on fire at the moment (Adam Jones, Matt Wieters), but there are also guys who seriously need to step up their game.

These guys have confidence from their manager, Buck Showalter. They have confidence from their teammates. But how long until they lose that confidence, just like the fans have already?

It's time for them to prove to the fans what they have to offer.

Endy Chavez

We all know that outfielder Endy Chavez is a very capable ballplayer. He may not be a star, but he is capable of playing the game hard and well.

His job is to be a fourth outfielder. He's consistently been one of the better fourth options in the outfield for the last few years. He's just had a rough start to this season.

It could be because Chavez has been forced into a pretty regular role with Nolan Reimold currently occupying a spot on the 15-day disabled list. Chavez isn't an everyday player. His game is providing speed, a good glove and a solid enough bat off the bench.

Right now though, he's hitting leadoff in most games, and that probably doesn't bode well for his production.

I honestly believe he'll come around to have a solid season, and he's just in a bit of a slump. But until he breaks out of it, Orioles fans won't understand why he was signed to be the fourth outfielder on this team.

Kevin Gregg

I had to. Regardless of how obvious it is, you know it's too easy to pass up.

Kevin Gregg has done virtually nothing to equal the value of the contract he was given prior to the 2011 season. In addition to losing plenty of games for the O's, he also lost his job as closure, his manager's confidence and consistent playing time.

Many fans wonder why he's still even on the team and wish that the club would just release him and eat the remaining salary on his contract. They feel that cutting him from the team and adding a different reliever to the staff would be an improvement in itself.

Gregg probably won't come anywhere near proving his worth to the fans before his contract expires at the end of the season.

Heck, pretty much every fan will be happy to see him go.

Jason Berken

Jason Berken had a rough 2009 rookie season as a starting pitcher, but came back in 2010 and posted All-Star numbers for the first half of the season as a reliever.

Later in the year, he injured himself after coming back down to earth, and hasn't shown that same dominance out of the bullpen ever since.

Orioles fans would love to see him regain the form he had during the first half of his 2010 campaign, as that would provide a huge boost to the O's bullpen.

Monday night's game didn't help his cause, as he allowed seven runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk in the ninth inning. The two home runs he allowed is the most concerning statistic.

This is the year Berken proves whether or not he belongs in the big leagues.

Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson was signed as a project, and when he made the roster out of spring training, he was expected to provide a solid average, great OBP and a little pop in a part-time DH and first baseman role.

So far, he hasn't really done much at all.

Fans all know his past. He's a productive hitter, but the trick is keeping him healthy.

This year he's been healthy but not productive. Go figure.

It took Johnson nearly a month to get his first hit of the season, and he hasn't been very good playing at first base either.

If Johnson wants to stick with the team and show the fans he's still capable of performing, he's going to have to get his act together. And in a hurry.

Brian Matusz

The former first-round draft pick has had two good starts this season, including shutting down the New York Yankees last week, but his other starts have left a lot to be desired.

On Monday night, Brian Matusz gave up seven earned runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings of work against the Texas Rangers. Granted, the Rangers are a fantastic squad and their lineup is stacked, but that pitching line is simply unacceptable, especially for someone who is thought to have such a bright future and high ceiling.

The Orioles aren't going to be quick to give up on the young left-hander, but many fans have already called for his trade.

Personally, I'm starting to think he needs to restart his growth at High-A or Double-A ball, but it's going to take at least a few more horrid outings for the team to turn to that.

Matusz has the most to prove to himself, his team, his coaches and the fans of anyone on this slideshow.