Orioles announce plans for first "Birdland Caravan"

Orioles announce plans for first "Birdland Caravan"
The Orioles are devoting the final weekend before pitchers and catchers report to spring training to engaging with fans via a "Birdland Caravan" that covers 12 locations across the region. A fresher approach leading into a new season. The winter tour runs from Feb. 7-9 and makes stops in Ellicott City, Annapolis, Aberdeen, Timonium, Bowie, Westminster, Hagerstown, White Marsh, Frederick, Fallston, Fort Meade and York, Pa. Players who are participating include Trey Mancini, Hanser Alberto, Rio...

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...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
While the Orioles were learning about pitcher Asher Wojciechowski over the summer, the right-hander was busy learning more about himself. Wojciechowski admitted that he began to feel fatigued later in the season as it extended beyond the usual point when he's done. He had to push through it, with manager Brandon Hyde providing some extra rest along the way. After completing his final start in Boston, where he tossed six scoreless innings, Wojciechowski said he'd devote the offseason to...

Brooks latest to enter Orioles bullpen

Brooks latest to enter Orioles bullpen
The 2019 season starts up again tonight with the Orioles inserting Aaron Brooks into their bullpen as the latest adjustment to a unit that's trying to gain more consistency in the second half. The Orioles are carrying a four-man bench and seven relievers - Brooks, Mychal Givens, Richard Bleier, Paul Fry, Miguel Castro, Jimmy Yacabonis and Shawn Armstrong. But two open dates on the schedule next week, countering Saturday's doubleheader, could allow for some creativity from manager Brandon...

Elias on Henderson, international signings and more (O's down 10-4)

Elias on Henderson, international signings and more (O's down 10-4)
The Orioles announced the signings of their top two draft picks over the past two days and they still have more work to get done. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said negotiations continue with the remaining unsigned players, who include LSU outfielder Zach Watson (third round), Stanford first baseman Andrew Daschback (11th) and University of Pittsburgh right-hander Dan Hammer (13th). Ten of the 41 selections haven't agreed to terms. Asked about a few of the...

Updating Rogers' injury and latest Orioles acquisition

Updating Rogers' injury and latest Orioles acquisition
Josh Rogers is undergoing tests today on his left elbow and the Orioles are braced for more bad news. Rogers complained of soreness following last night's relief appearance and the Orioles placed him on the injured list, classifying the ailment as a sprain. They should receive the results later today or Thursday morning. "I'm not a doctor, " said manager Brandon Hyde, "but I don't think it's great." Rogers was acquired from the Yankees last summer in the Zack Britton trade and is 1-3...

Henderson talks about signing with the Orioles

Henderson talks about signing with the Orioles
For the Orioles, two days and two press conferences to announce top-draft-pick signings. Yesterday the Orioles introduced No. 1 pick catcher Adley Rutschman, and today it was prep shortstop Gunnar Henderson, taken No. 42 overall. Henderson was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Baseball for 2019, as well as Alabama Gatorade State Player of the Year, after hitting .559/.641/1.225 (57-for-102) with 17 doubles, nine triples, 11 home runs, 69 runs, 75 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 32...

O's introduce Rutschman with Henderson on deck, Machado's ovation and more

O's introduce Rutschman with Henderson on deck, Machado's ovation and more
Even before he met with local reporters and went through his first press conference at Camden Yards, catcher Adley Rutschman met some Orioles fans. That happened when he was walking around Camden Yards after officially signing with the team on Monday. "They're just excited," he said of his interaction. "You can see how supportive they are and how close-knit it is here. It kind of reminds me of Oregon State, and that's exciting." Rutschman had his introductory press conference Tuesday....

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Adley Rutschman provided a nice distraction yesterday for the Orioles. He also supplied the humor. Asked if he had any nice purchases in mind after receiving a record $8.1 million signing bonus, Rutschman smiled and said, "I don't really know. I'm pretty comfortable with my Honda Civic." A question about his physical condition was handled in three words and with another grin: "I feel great." If you want him to expand on it, find a comfortable seat and keep waiting. Rutschman made a...

Another rough night on the mound as O's lose series opener

Another rough night on the mound as O's lose series opener
The switching back to the east coast tonight did not do a thing to help Orioles pitching. After the hurlers struggled, giving up 59 runs during a 1-6 west coast trip, the O's fell behind big early tonight. They were down 5-2 at the end of three and 7-2 at the end of the fourth in the opener of the two-game series with San Diego. They lost 8-3 in the first of a five-game homestand. The Orioles (22-57) have lost 12 of 13, 16 of 19 and 28 of their last 35 games. They are 9-29 at Oriole Park, 7-19...

Orioles lose 8-3 but announce signing of Henderson (updated)

Orioles lose 8-3 but announce signing of Henderson (updated)
Jimmy Yacabonis walked the first batter he faced tonight and waited for the third. Yacabonis stayed off the rubber as the ovation built for Manny Machado, the former Orioles All-Star and Platinum Glove winner making his return to Camden Yards. He understands and appreciates a moment, but he also won't surrender to it, getting a called third strike with a sweeping slider. Machado had the final word, however, launching a 455-foot home run into the visiting bullpen on the first pitch thrown to...

Trying to answer a few Adley Rutschman questions

Trying to answer a few Adley Rutschman questions
It was a banner Monday for Orioles' draft pick signings as they officially announced the signing of Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman, who they took with the first pick in the first round. We also learned that they've agreed to terms with second-round pick, high school shortstop Gunnar Henderson from Selma, Ala. All along the confidence level from the organization was high that they'd get these picks. The process played out and the job got done. MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis reported that...

Orioles sign Rutschman and reportedly agree with Henderson

Orioles sign Rutschman and reportedly agree with Henderson
The confidence that Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias expressed in his ability to sign his top draft pick wasn't unfounded or misplaced. The Orioles announced this evening that they signed Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman, with an introductory press conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. MLB.com's Jim Callis is reporting an agreement with Alabama prep shortstop Gunnar Henderson, the club's second-round pick. Rutschman, the first overall selection, will...

O's Rule 5 shortstop learning at major league level (Henderson and Rutschman update)

O's Rule 5 shortstop learning at major league level (Henderson and Rutschman update)
SEATTLE - He didn't have a highlight game, going 0-4 with two double plays and two strikeouts on Sunday, but shortstop Richie Martin made a highlight-reel defensive play here on Saturday. He dove in the hole to glove a ball and made a strong throw from the outfield grass to gun down former Oriole Tim Beckham in the fifth inning. It was one of the best defensive plays of the year by any Oriole. By now, it's pretty clear the Rule 5 pick in December from Oakland has a plus glove and plus arm....

Mike Elias on Orioles' draft pick signings

Mike Elias on Orioles' draft pick signings
The Orioles today announced the signings of 20 of their 41 draft picks and also signed one undrafted free agent. The highest selection signed was fourth-round pick, shortstop Joey Ortiz out of New Mexico State. The slot amount for that pick, No. 108 overall, is $538,200. A junior, Ortiz is one of five finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, which goes to the nation's top shortstop. He was also named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year after batting .422/.474/.697 with 25...

Gunnar Henderson interview, plus O's notes and Delmarva getting close

Gunnar Henderson interview, plus O's notes and Delmarva getting close
During an interview Thursday on 105.7 FM the Fan in Baltimore, Orioles second-round draft pick Gunnar Henderson covered a lot of ground. He included his love for the sport, a belief he can stay at shortstop, his power swing and his current Auburn commitment. With the No. 42 overall pick Monday night, the O's selected the 17-year-old lefty batting prep shortstop from John T. Morgan Academy in Selma, Ala. Henderson was rated the No. 30 prospect in this draft class by Baseball America and No. 27...

GM Elias on day two of the draft

GM Elias on day two of the draft
After selecting a star college catcher, high school shortstop and college center fielder on the first day of the First-Year Player Draft, the Orioles continued a run yesterday on college position players in the middle of the diamond. It began with a speedy outfielder from the SEC, and the club did not select a single pitcher until round eight. There were two senior signs that could produce some pool savings to use for an overslot signing or two. The first draft class for executive vice...

Mike Elias on first day of draft and O's three picks

Mike Elias on first day of draft and O's three picks
The first night of the First-Year Player Draft found the Orioles select three position players in a catcher No. 1 overall followed by a high school shortstop and college center fielder. There were no pitchers selected yet by the Orioles and the draft began with the O's on the clock for the second time in team history. The club selected Oregon State junior catcher Adley Rutschman with the No. 1 pick. He became the first catcher taken 1/1 since Minnesota selected Joe Mauer in 2001. After his...