Five Orioles reassigned to minor league camp

Five Orioles reassigned to minor league camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - Five non-roster players have been removed from the Orioles spring training camp roster, including infield prospects Rylan Bannon and Mason McCoy and left-handers Zac Lowther and Alexander Wells. Infielder Malquin Canelo, a longshot candidate to win a utility job, also has been reassigned to minor league camp. Bannon, McCoy, Lowther and Wells never were in line to head north with the club. They'll report to Twin Lakes Park and await their assignments, which could lead to a...

Notes on Iglesias, upcoming pitchers and Bleier's outing

Notes on Iglesias, upcoming pitchers and Bleier's outing
SARASOTA, Fla. - José Iglesias won't say that the offseason has treated him much kinder than last winter, offering a shrug of his shoulders and a search for the right words. But there's still that trace of confusion over having to settle for a minor league contract in late February. It couldn't have been his defensive credentials, which earn the highest levels of praise. To say he carries a plus glove leaves him short of one "plus." "I don't want to say it was better. It was just...

LeBlanc puts up blanks and Orioles cruise to win (updated)

LeBlanc puts up blanks and Orioles cruise to win (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - One start won't move the needle much in the Orioles rotation competition. Two innings aren't a sufficient amount to begin placing odds. Three pitchers in the crowded field wanted to make an early impression this afternoon. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc shut out the Red Sox for the first couple of frames, allowing a single to Kevin Plawecki and striking out Tommy Joseph and Marcus Wilson. Both of them looking. (The Red Sox didn't bring their A team to Sarasota. I'm not sure the B...

Chandler Shepherd named starter for first exhibition game

Chandler Shepherd named starter for first exhibition game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chandler Shepherd is starting Saturday's exhibition opener against the Braves in North Port, marking the end of the workout grind and moving spring training into its next phase. Left-hander Ty Blach will follow Shepherd, who's supposed to work two innings. "He's one of the guys that we're stretching out and it just kind of fell on that day," said manager Brandon Hyde, who shared his decision with the media. "See him go a couple innings." Shepherd started the final game...

Orioles invite 23 non-roster players to camp

Orioles invite 23 non-roster players to camp
The Orioles released their list of 23 non-roster invites to spring training earlier today, headlined by catcher Adley Rutschman, their top prospect and the first-overall selection in last year's First-Year Player Draft. Rutschman is joined by pitching prospects Zac Lowther, Alex Wells and Bruce Zimmermann, infielders Rylan Bannon and Mason McCoy and outfielder Yusniel Diaz. The future will be illuminated by the Florida sunshine. Other non-roster invites to camp are pitchers Cristian Alvarado,...

Orioles take fan questions at first Winter Warm-Up

Orioles take fan questions at first Winter Warm-Up
The Orioles decorated Eutaw Street this morning to create a holiday theme at Camden Yards. A winter wonderland with temperatures above freezing. The rain that fell varied from drizzle to downpour, with umbrellas opening and closing over a three-hour period at the first Winter Warm-Up. A live band sang and performed carols on the flag court in right field before the covered stage was cleared for a question-and-answer session with Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias,...

A scout's take on some Orioles prospects

A scout's take on some Orioles prospects
From time to time it is very interesting and also educational to hear from scouts from organizations outside of Baltimore to get opinions on Orioles players. I did just that recently with an American League scout who provided several solid insights on various O's minor league players. He had coverage of a few O's farm teams this year and got some good looks at players. He was generous with his time and opinions. We jumped around to various players, some highly ranked and others not ranked. So...

Orioles sign Dilson Herrera to minor league deal

Orioles sign Dilson Herrera to minor league deal
The Orioles made a move this afternoon to increase their infield depth and perhaps provide another roster option in spring training. Maintaining a busy schedule this week with the Winter Meetings approaching, the Orioles signed 25-year-old utility player Dilson Herrera to a minor league contract. Herrera spent the 2019 season in Triple-A, where he hit .248/.330/.501 with 29 doubles, 24 home runs and 64 RBIs in 117 games with the Mets affiliate in Syracuse. His last tour in the majors came the...

Taking another look at Bleier signing and Villar's departure

Taking another look at Bleier signing and Villar's departure
The next order of baseball business is behind the Orioles. They tendered contracts yesterday to five of their seven arbitration-eligible players, signed reliever Richard Bleier and traded infielder Jonathan Villar to the Marlins. The 40-man roster holds 38 players, leaving room for multiple selections in the Dec. 12 Rule 5 draft in San Diego. Coming up are five days at the Winter Meetings if you count Sunday's travel. The race to catch return flights on Thursday begins late in the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Padres' decision to hire Jayce Tingler as their next manager had a ripple effect that nudged Buck Britton into a new set of responsibilities. Britton, who spent the 2019 season managing Double-A Bowie, has replaced Tingler as manager of Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. Tingler was working for the Rangers as major league player development field coordinator. Britton was expecting to serve in a coaching capacity with Escogido. Gilbert Gómez become quality control coach...

Is bullpen best for Brooks?

Is bullpen best for Brooks?
Let's take another shot this morning at addressing one of the litany of questions facing the Orioles before opening day 2020. Funny how so many of them lead to the pitching staff, whether it's the rotation or bullpen. What should the Orioles do with Aaron Brooks? The numbers make the decision appear to be simple. He's been much more effective as a reliever than as a starter, and the Orioles need to improve in both areas. The Orioles claimed Brooks off waivers from the Athletics on July 6,...

After tough outing, Kershaw shines in postgame interview

After tough outing, Kershaw shines in postgame interview
The Los Angeles Dodgers are becoming a bit of a tortured franchise. They have won seven straight division titles - something incredibly impressive - but they are already out of the 2019 playoffs. They lost Game 5 of the National League Division Series at home to Washington. Since the Dodgers started this run, four different teams have won the American League East title. But just one has won in the National League West. So the heartbreak was big when they blew a 3-0 lead after two innings and a...

Núñez made it easy to slot him as designated hitter in 2020

Núñez made it easy to slot him as designated hitter in 2020
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wasn't ready last month to hand Austin Hays the center field job on opening day. No amount of prodding from the media was going to soften his stance. It was too soon to begin construction of a 26-man roster to be unveiled in late March. The story is the same regarding Renato Núñez. Hyde won't say that Núñez is going to be the primary designated hitter next season. But he speaks as if Núñez is on the team. "I think it's way too soon to think...

Double-A Bowie's season ends in Game 4 loss in Eastern League final

Double-A Bowie's season ends in Game 4 loss in Eastern League final
BOWIE, Md. - When the long grind of a professional baseball season ends it can be abrupt and jarring. There can be sadness that it ended and about how it ended. The Double-A Bowie Baysox players, staff and fans, no doubt, felt some of that last night. On a cool night at Prince George's Stadium, some of the magic we saw from the Baysox during the long, hot summer was not there. They hosted Games 3 and 4 in a series that left Trenton tied 1-1, but lost both games at home as the Thunder secured a...

Five Orioles confirmed for Arizona Fall League

Five Orioles confirmed for Arizona Fall League
WASHINGTON - The Orioles have five confirmed representatives playing in the Arizona Fall League, with room for more additions. The Surprise Saguaros roster includes pitchers Dean Kremer, Alex Wells and David Lebron and infielders Rylan Bannon and Mason McCoy. Single-A Delmarva manager Kyle Moore is serving as one of the coaches. The Orioles also have spots reserved for one more pitcher and an outfielder. It's possible that Double-A Bowie's Yusniel Diaz fills the latter spot after missing...

Bowie manager Buck Britton talks Baysox season in radio interview

Bowie manager Buck Britton talks Baysox season in radio interview
When the Double-A Bowie Baysox started this year going 7-23, no one would have predicted they would regroup to produce such a stellar record. But they have. They are 57-31 since that point with a very strong rotation, some solid position players and a couple of veteran coaches to help young manager Buck Britton. Buck, 33, is the older brother of former Oriole Zack Britton. Buck played many seasons on the O's farm, but never made the majors. He might one day as a skipper after leading Single-A...

Bowie manager Buck Britton: "It's been a special turnaround"

Bowie manager Buck Britton: "It's been a special turnaround"
While Orioles farm teams at Triple-A Norfolk and Single-A Frederick have struggled this year, four other affiliates went into play last night in first place. Those were clubs at Double-A Bowie (25-7), Single-A Delmarva (21-10), short-season Single-A Aberdeen (23-15) and the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Orioles (16-7). But no team has had such a remarkable turnaround this year as Bowie. The Baysox were 7-23 on May 5. That was not only the worst record in the Eastern League at that time, it was...

Brooks added to roster (and other notes)

Brooks added to roster (and other notes)
The Orioles completed their pending roster move today by adding right-hander Aaron Brooks to the 25-man roster. Brooks will wear No. 38 and he's set to become the 47th player used by the Orioles this season. Reliever Josh Lucas was designated for assignment Saturday to make room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Lucas cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, news also announced today by the Orioles. So much for a break. Brooks was a waiver claim Saturday from the...

McCoy making major impression

McCoy making major impression
The Orioles prospect talk doesn't usually bring infielder Mason McCoy into the conversation. Pitching is the area that warrants the most attention, and fans are waiting for first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and outfielders Austin Hays and Yusniel Diaz to be thrust into the rebuild. Catcher Chance Sisco made it back and DJ Stewart got the call before landing on the injured list with a sprained ankle. There aren't many cries for McCoy, 24, but I sense that there's been gradual notice. McCoy is...

Talking homers allowed with a catcher, plus farm notes

Talking homers allowed with a catcher, plus farm notes
Whenever an Orioles pitcher gives up a homer - and they've allowed the most in the majors this year - there is always a catcher on the other end waiting for a pitch that never gets to his mitt. The catcher can be just as frustrated as anyone that the pitch went out and Pedro Severino has been there, done that this year for the Orioles. "We all feel really bad because we don't want to miss (the location of) pitches," he told me recently. "This is the big leagues man, we are making mistakes...