Rutschman's ranking in rookie voting revealed tonight (updated)

The next round of awards are handed out this week, starting tonight with Rookie of the Year from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman is a finalist in the American League with Cleveland’s Steven Kwan – his former college teammate – and Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez.

Rodríguez already was chosen by The Sporting News, Baseball America and his peers in the Players Choice Awards. He won a Silver Slugger Award last week. He’s just waiting to hear from People Magazine on the results for “Sexiest Man Alive”.

The BBWAA isn’t expected to veer away from Rodríguez, but we’ll find out tonight on MLB Network beginning at 6 p.m.

A first- or second-place finish for Rutschman would give him a full year of service time under the new collective bargaining agreement. That’s a year closer to arbitration and free agency. And it’s why some writers were uncomfortable with the ballot or declined to vote.

A couple of leftovers for breakfast

A couple of leftovers for breakfast
The eventual promotion of Adley Rutschman to the major league roster, whenever it happens, comes with the expectation that the Orioles will have a veteran mentor ready as his backup. But the club already seems equipped to tutor him. The staff isn't running short on former catchers. Manager Brandon Hyde caught 69 games in the minors and 13 with the independent Chico Heat. Major league field coordinator and catching instructor Tim Cossins caught 217 games in the minors and two with the...

Orioles claim Fox, add six players to 40-man roster

Orioles claim Fox, add six players to 40-man roster
The Orioles are protecting six players again in the Rule 5 draft that's scheduled for next month in Orlando, Fla., placing pitchers DL Hall, Kyle Bradish, Kevin Smith, Félix Bautista and Logan Gillaspie, and infielder Terrin Vavra on the 40-man roster at tonight's deadline. The day began with 32 openings, heavy subtractions made since the last game. The most recent transaction impacting the roster before today was the claiming of pitcher Bryan Baker off waivers from the Blue Jays on Nov....

Taking a last look at possible protections in Rule 5 draft

Taking a last look at possible protections in Rule 5 draft
The Orioles' 40-man roster is holding at 32 players and must be set by Friday, before a Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings that remains in limbo, as well as Orlando, with the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias will complete the task of protecting players, which follows the many transactions that cleared room for them. There will be the obvious calls and probably at least one that seems possible but falls a little short of a...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
As the Orioles discuss which players to protect in the Rule 5 draft and how to create the necessary space on the 40-man roster, they're expected to again bypass catcher Brett Cumberland and roll the dice that he'll go unclaimed or return later to the organization. Gambling in baseball can be done without placing actual bets. Cumberland remains under team control and could continue his development at Triple-A Norfolk, where he appeared in 84 games while sharing time at various points of the...

Catching up on the Orioles' plans behind the plate

Catching up on the Orioles' plans behind the plate
The clock keeps ticking on Adley Rutschman, and the sound of it can drown out a 747. A one-one makes more noise. Rutschman is going to play in the majors in 2022, but Orioles fans want to know whether he breaks camp with the team or returns to Triple-A Norfolk, where he appeared in 43 games last summer and batted .312/.405/.490 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 20 RBIs. He threw out runners attempting to steal second and third base. He handled the pitching staff with a maturity...

Orioles finish 2021 season with 12-4 loss to Blue Jays (updated)

Orioles finish 2021 season with 12-4 loss to Blue Jays (updated)
Pat Valaika grounded into a force against Adam Cimber this afternoon and the Orioles' 2021 season was a wrap. The fifth in a row below .500. A final record of 52-110, with two fewer wins than the last full season in 2019. With 56 road losses that are third-most in team history. And with a minus-297 run differential. The Blue Jays did their part to stay alive in the wild card race by winning 12-4 at Rogers Centre, a game that included George Springer's leadoff home run against Orioles rookie...

Mullins joins 30/30 club with home run in second inning (O's lose)

Mullins joins 30/30 club with home run in second inning (O's lose)
Teammates waved their arms at Cedric Mullins tonight after he returned to the dugout in the bottom of the second inning. Motioning him back onto the field. Demanding, in fact, that he accept a curtain call in celebration of his 30th home run and admission into an exclusive club. One that now has its only member from the franchise. Mullins stood on the dirt track and raised his batting helmet in appreciation of the loud ovation at Camden Yards. He slapped it a couple of times, still holding it...

Wondering how Orioles handle catching in 2022

Wondering how Orioles handle catching in 2022
The promotion of No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk was bound to create more discussion about the wisdom of bringing him to the majors by September versus waiting until 2022. Another 100-loss season creates arguments from both sides. Either it's a good reason to delay it or the exact reason why it should be done, as if there's really nothing to lose besides more games. Rutschman ended the 2019 season with a handful of games at low Single-A Delmarva. He...

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation
There are no easy or obvious solutions to the Orioles' explosive bullpen, holes in the rotation and thinning roster due to injuries. Not unless the production picks up at its highest affiliate. That would at least provide an option. Relievers have surrendered 52 runs in the past five games - 16 scored in the eighth inning in the Rays' sweep - and manager Brandon Hyde can't be criticized for running the same group into games every night. He can't be ripped for ignoring hot hands that simply...

Source: Orioles promoting Rutschman to Triple-A Norfolk

Source: Orioles promoting Rutschman to Triple-A Norfolk
Catcher Adley Rutschman's work at Double-A is done. The Orioles are promoting Rutschman to Triple-A Norfolk, according to a source. His final game with the Bowie Baysox unfolded earlier today when he started behind the plate in Somerset and went 0-for-3 in a 7-0 loss to the Patriots, who registered a combined no-hitter. Luis Severino, with Somerset on an injury rehab assignment, tossed four perfect innings. Rutschman appeared in 80 games in his first season with Bowie and batted .271/.392/.508...

Skipper made right moves with bad results, plus other notes

Skipper made right moves with bad results, plus other notes
There is no doubt it was a frustrating weekend in Birdland. The Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays were tied 5-5 in the eighth on Friday, the O's were down 5-3 in the eighth on Saturday and they led 5-3 in the eighth on Sunday. But they gave up 16 runs total in the eighth innings of those games and lost all three. It is pretty remarkable for a team to score that many runs that late to win all three games. But the Rays improved to 11-1 against the Orioles this year and to 6-0 at Oriole Park, where they...

Prospect list, Zimmermann update, Mateo and more

Prospect list, Zimmermann update, Mateo and more
Baseball America has published its updated top 30 prospects list for the Orioles, and first-round pick Colton Cowser ranks fifth while beginning his professional career in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. Heston Kjerstad, last year's first-rounder, hasn't appeared in a single game after being diagnosed with myocarditis, but he's sixth. This year's second-round pick, infielder Connor Norby, is 10th. A big jump was made by Double-A Bowie shortstop Joey Ortiz, who's 12th in the system...

Because You Asked - Heading Home

Because You Asked - Heading Home
The month of July is behind us and the ol' mailbag is swollen like a tick on a Doberman. The dog days of summer are upon us. I need to get back to answering your questions - over and over without complaint or pointing out how many of them are repetitious. It can be done with sincerity or a dash of sarcasm. It can be informative and fun. It's a floor wax, it's a dessert topping. There is no editing for length, clarity, style or brevity. It's the internet. We have room. Also, my mailbag cup...

Two more players gone from Orioles' 2018 deadline deals

Two more players gone from Orioles' 2018 deadline deals
Yesterday's news that the Orioles released Triple-A pitchers Cody Carroll and Evan Phillips forced the latest revisit to the trades that brought them into the organization. Reliever Dillon Tate is the last man standing in the Zack Britton deal with the Yankees in July 2018. The Orioles released left-hander Josh Rogers in June and he signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. Rogers recovered from another surgical procedure on his elbow but hasn't pitched in the majors since 2019. His...

Harvey with six scoreless, first win in two months (updated)

Harvey with six scoreless, first win in two months (updated)
Six pitches thrown in the first inning. Only 18 through the second and 28 through the third. Eleven of 12 first-pitch strikes. No runs against him. Matt Harvey was having himself a day. Manager Brandon Hyde was having visions of a starter plowing through the early and middle innings, removing one of the hardest decisions he routinely makes during the season, which inevitably fuels second-guessing as a first reaction to it. A hit batter, walk and infield single in the fourth, with Domingo...

Watkins gets first major league win in Orioles' 7-5 victory (updated)

Watkins gets first major league win in Orioles' 7-5 victory (updated)
Retiring all three batters faced in his major league debut left Orioles right-hander Spenser Watkins ripe for a bunch of firsts tonight beyond how he was making his initial start. Get the walk out of the way with a free pass to Blue Jays leadoff hitter Marcus Semien. Get ahead of Bo Bichette 0-2 and surrender the first hit, a groundball single into right field. Followed by the first run on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s line drive to deep left that went into the box score as a sacrifice fly. Manager...

How could Orioles' catching changes impact 2022?

How could Orioles' catching changes impact 2022?
Yesterday's news that Chance Sisco had been designated for assignment provided the latest jolt to the catching position at Triple-A Norfolk and naturally led to questions regarding Adley Rutschman. They moves aren't related. But isn't it fun to wonder? Rutschman has played 38 games beyond the low Single-A level and figures to stick around Double-A Bowie for at least a little while longer, no matter how good he looks and how excited fans are to watch him progress through the system. The...

Orioles DFA Chance Sisco (updated)

Orioles DFA Chance Sisco (updated)
The Orioles have designated catcher Chance Sisco for assignment today, according to an industry source, and appear ready to add a pitcher to the 40-man roster prior to tonight's game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Sisco's removal from the 40-man opens a spot. Sisco broke camp with the team again and was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on May 31 while the Orioles selected catcher Austin Wynn's contract from the Tides. Sisco, a second-round pick in the 2013 draft, was batting...

Harvey's latest short start comes with miscues (updated)

Harvey's latest short start comes with miscues (updated)
As Matt Harvey's ERA rose and patience with his failed starts withered away, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde kept defending the veteran by pointing out mistakes committed in the field and run support that lacked. Harvey wasn't nearly as generous after his most recent game, crushing himself like cocktail ice after a loss to the Mets. Hyde, meanwhile, leaned on the dugout railing tonight, watched an unearned run score in the first inning and hated to be proven right. Hyde saw a missed cutoff in...