On the O's farm, versatility will be a real key

On the O's farm, versatility will be a real key
As the Orioles approached their recent instructional league camp, they knew a few things that would be important to consider. One is that building defensive versatility is never a bad thing for a player. If he can play multiple positions, his value to the team and the sport go up. The Orioles also knew they had drafted and acquired seven shortstops via the draft or trade since Mike Elias took over as executive vice president and general manager. So the want-to - to expand defensive resumes for...

Earl Weaver would approve: Keep adding shortstops

Earl Weaver would approve: Keep adding shortstops
With the trade of José Iglesias to the Los Angeles Angels this week, who will play shortstop for the 2021 Orioles is an unanswered question right now. But the future O's shortstop may currently be in the organization. Over his first two drafts, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias has drafted five shortstops. In 2019, three of his top six picks were shortstops, and in 2020 two of his first four selections were. Elias has also acquired two shortstops the club likes...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
By the end of the week, the Orioles will be required to make further adjustments to their 40-man roster in order to protect players in the Rule 5 draft. Teams now pay $100,000 to select a player in the major league phase, and he can be offered back to his former organization for half the fee. I remember when it was $50,000 and $25,000, but the last collective bargaining agreement upped the cost. Could also explain my increased alcohol consumption, unless that's COVID related. The Orioles have...

Bevy of shortstops won't bump Henderson from position

Bevy of shortstops won't bump Henderson from position
While the Orioles wait to make official their decision to pick up the option on José Iglesias' contract, the only potential glitch tied to finances, they're in the developmental stages with a handful of shortstop prospects who could vie for the position. Don't bother checking out the fall instructional camp in Sarasota, Fla. because it's closed to the public, but the group of 55 includes Baseball America No. 8 organizational prospect Gunnar Henderson, No. 10 Jordan Westburg, No. 15 Adam...

O's use draft to fortify shortstop position on farm

O's use draft to fortify shortstop position on farm
Last winter, the Orioles signed free agent shortstop José Iglesias to a one-year contract with a club option for 2021. At a position where you want to have a plus defender, he will be that for the Orioles when we see baseball again. He posted a career-high 1.4 Defensive Wins Above Replacement last season and leads all major league shortstops in fielding percentage since 2015. But the Orioles hope the long-term future of the position is currently on the farm, where in recent years, the club...

A look back and a prediction as draft day arrives

A look back and a prediction as draft day arrives
Draft day is here. The First-Year Player Draft begins tonight at 7 p.m. and the draft will be televised by both ESPN and MLB Network. The Orioles will have two picks this evening when they select No. 2 and No. 30 overall. Their first pick is the second pick of a first round that will last 29 picks. Their second pick is the first selection of Competitive Balance Round A that will comprise picks 30 through 37. The draft resumes Thursday at 5 p.m. with rounds two through five. The Orioles have...

Does Smith retain same status with Orioles?

Does Smith retain same status with Orioles?
How does a player who appeared in 101 games pull a disappearing act while staying on the roster? That's how it feels with Dwight Smith Jr. He's on the 40-man roster, but tends to be excluded from the outfield conversation or led late into it. Manager Brandon Hyde couldn't be pinned down on a set outfield as he handled his media obligations at the Winter Meetings. A suggestion was made that Hyde might have a better grasp of his starters now with Austin Hays flanked by Anthony Santander and...

Minors notes on Stowers, Clark and Minor

Minors notes on Stowers, Clark and Minor
The Winter Meetings are providing opportunities for Orioles prospects to find out what all the commotion is about and sharpen their interview skills with the beat crew. Shortstop Cadyn Grenier visited the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas last December because he lived about 10 minutes away and couldn't pass up the opportunity, which included an introduction with executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. Outfielder Kyle Stowers, a California native chosen with the 71st...

Another Orioles Q&A and updating their 2020 draft picks

Another Orioles Q&A and updating their 2020 draft picks
After an eventful week around Birdland with the trades of Jonathan Villar and Dylan Bundy, there is plenty to talk about. Plus the Winter Meetings begin next week in San Diego. The Orioles added five minor league pitchers in the deals for Villar and Bundy and are expected to make at least one pick in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. So today, with a lot going on recently, let's take some reader questions. Ask anything - about the minors or majors, the recent trades or any topic - and I and other...

Orioles and Royals lineups

Orioles and Royals lineups
The Orioles conclude their three-game series against the Royals with Chris Davis out of the lineup for the third night in a row. Trey Mancini remain at first base and DJ Stewart is in right field. Richie Martin is the shortstop tonight with Jonathan Villar at second base and Hanser Alberto at third and leading off. Stevie Wilkerson is in center field. Aaron Brooks has allowed five runs or more in four of his last five starts and is dragging a 9.22 ERA and 1.756 WHIP into tonight's game since...

Shorebirds don't clinch yet as Orioles return home

Shorebirds don't clinch yet as Orioles return home
Single-A Delmarva clinching its first playoff appearance in 14 years will have to wait at least until tonight. The Shorebirds were a few outs from clinching last night, but West Virginia hit a grand slam down three runs in the last of the eighth to stun Delmarva in a comeback 5-4 win. So instead of wrapping up the first-half title in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, the Shorebirds title will have to wait. Their magic number remains one with six games left. Delmarva was 34-1 when...

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...

O's game blog: John Means gets the start against Boston

O's game blog: John Means gets the start against Boston
After Sunday's rainout, the Orioles get back on the field tonight. The homestand, now down to eight games, continues as they open a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox. The Orioles (12-22) beat Tampa Bay 3-0 Saturday night behind Dylan Bundy's 7 1/3 innings. He threw 96 pitches in getting his first win of the year and first since Sept. 18. He snapped a career-long six-game losing streak. Boston (17-18) scored 30 runs in winning the last three games of a series in Chicago against the...

Will splitter be there again tonight for Alex Cobb?

Will splitter be there again tonight for Alex Cobb?
Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb is expected to rejoin the rotation tonight, coming off the injured list for the second time this year. When he made his only start of 2019 on April 4 in the home opener, he went 5 2/3 and allowed five hits and two runs versus the New York Yankees. Cobb threw a heavy percentage of split-finger fastballs in that outing and it was a good sign. Because he did the same in the second half last year when he pitched so well. As the season wore on, his splitter got better...

John Means was strong against Boston, plus farm notes

John Means was strong against Boston, plus farm notes
As the Orioles are looking for some solid starting pitching - they don't have a quality start over their last 11 games - John Means provided an encouraging outing on Sunday at Boston. Means went five innings, allowing four hits and one run with one walk and three strikeouts in Boston's 4-0 win. He took the loss and is now 1-2 but has a 1.98 ERA over five outings. In 13 2/3 innings on the season, he has walked four and fanned 13. Means threw 82 pitches Sunday, averaging 91.5 mph on his 50...

Maximizing service time and a Machado take

Maximizing service time and a Machado take
Former Orioles baseball operations leader Andy MacPhail once stated that it's better to call up a prospect a month too late rather than a month too soon. The new management of the Orioles may look to adhere to that philosophy. And not just because they agree with MacPhail. Maybe because it makes good business sense. At a time when fans seem excited to see young players get more opportunities with the club, some young players may have to wait their turn. Like most good organizations, the...

Grenier enjoys Winter Meetings and reflects on first pro season

Grenier enjoys Winter Meetings and reflects on first pro season
LAS VEGAS - Orioles shortstop prospect Cadyn Grenier lives 10 minutes from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. He never had a reason to show up at the Winter Meetings until today. Grenier conducted a few interviews with local media and hoped to meet later with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. Make a full day of it. "It works out well for me that I live here, that they're coming in," he said. "And with Mike being the new GM and everything, to be able to be in the same...

After loss No. 108, is there anywhere fans can find hope?

After loss No. 108, is there anywhere fans can find hope?
It started out pretty well. Cedric Mullins turned around a 96 mph fastball and hit it out 405 feet. A few innings later, DJ Stewart got his first big league hit, and two errors later it turned into a Little League homer. Dylan Bundy was looking at times like Dealin' Dylan again. But this being the 2018 Orioles, a pothole is around every corner. Some are more the size of craters. They all seem to lead to disappointment and heartache. The Orioles defense would come up short yet again. This time...

Notes on 100 losses, stolen bases and the farm on Sunday

Notes on 100 losses, stolen bases and the farm on Sunday
With Sunday night's 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees, the Orioles were swept four straight and they fall to 37-94. The 2018 Orioles are closing in on becoming the third team in club history, which dates to 1954, to lose 100 or more. The 1954 Orioles went 54-100 and the 1988 Orioles went 54-107. There have been nine Orioles teams since 1954 that lost 95 or more in a season, and this club is one loss from becoming the 10th. The other nine teams are on this list: 107 losses - 1988100 losses -...

Alex Cobb finished what he started, plus farm notes

Alex Cobb finished what he started, plus farm notes
The Orioles have played two pretty solid games in Cleveland this weekend and they posted an impressive 4-2 win on Saturday afternoon to end the Indians' six-game win streak. Right-hander Alex Cobb had another strong start. In fact, he pitched a complete-game five-hitter to improve to 4-15 with a 5.09 ERA. Cobb posted his fourth career complete game and his first nine-inning complete-game since a shutout versus Oakland on Aug. 23, 2012. Cobb has posted five straight quality starts with a 2.06...