When catcher Samuel Basallo of the Dominican Republic, who just turned 19, recently moved into the top 50 of a couple of top 100 prospects lists, it was an important milestone for the Orioles’ international program.

He is the first player from the international program since Mike Elias and his front office took over to make a top 100 and now a top 50. A strong accomplishment for the international program.

But recently at Low Single-A Delmarva, there was another big night that was pretty important as well and had meaning for a lot of people. Noelberth Romero, 21, from Caracas, Venezuela, became a high school graduate.

It was a proud moment for Romero, his family and the Orioles organization. Dressed in cap and gown, he was presented his diploma by Shorebirds manager Felipe Alou Jr. There was a clubhouse celebration for Romero in addition to an on-field ceremony.

Among the first to sign up for the O’s education program in 2020, Romero becomes the first to make it to the finish line – graduation. He now becomes a role model for others who want to join him in the O’s Latin American program.

Will the Orioles have at least two rookies in their starting rotation on opening day? Manager Brandon Hyde isn't handing out jobs a day before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer are expected to earn them, but that's exactly what they'll have to do. For now, Hyde is saying only that they've earned the opportunity. That is all. The rest is up to them. "I like to keep guys competitive," Hyde said during our recent video Q&A that's going to be...

The Orioles completed one of their earlier summer trades this afternoon, receiving infielder Isaac De León from the Marlins as the player to be named later for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier. The Bleier deal was consummated on Aug. 1. De León is 18 and the type of player sought in the past by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. A young prospect to increase the talent level in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. Elias acquired outfielder Elio Prado and infielder...

The first Orioles-Yankees game of 2020 looked like so many others from last summer. The Yankees bashed three home runs and they won by a comfortable margin. The O's lost their home opener 9-3 at Oriole Park. DJ LeMahieu homered on the second pitch of the night and New York added two more homers in the third. Aaron Judge hit a solo shot and Aaron Hicks a two-run homer. On its way to going 10-0 in Baltimore in 2019, the Yankees hit 43 homers. They hit two or more in every game at Camden Yards...

The Orioles are one of 10 major league organizations that field two teams in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. It is a league where some the youngest international players in pro ball get their feet wet and start to really learn the game. The Orioles' two DSL teams have had solid seasons, and club officials feel the talent level in their Dominican program is on the rise. The O's DSL-1 team has a record of 31-36 and the DSL-2 team is 26-32. Felipe Rojas Alou Jr. is the director of the...

You don't judge a trade for at least a few years unless the players involved disappear quickly. A one-for-one where ties are cut, maybe retirement is the next life phase. But in the case of the Andrew Cashner deal orchestrated by executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, it's premature to assign a final grade to it. What we know so far is that Cashner's roll with the Orioles slowed as it reached New England. He didn't make it out of the second inning yesterday, walking five...

On Friday, before the Orioles traded pitcher Andrew Cashner yesterday, I asked Trey Mancini about the possibility of trade rumors becoming a distraction for the Orioles before this month is out. He looked back to last season when the Orioles pulled the trigger on several July trades that sent Manny Machado and several of Mancini's teammates out of Baltimore. "It was a strange year last year for sure being around for that," said Mancini. "Especially that last day. We all knew that Manny...

Andrew Cashner felt that a trade was coming. He could sense it. He could pick up on clues via the text messages on his phone. It's the timing that surprised him. Rather than make his scheduled start Sunday afternoon against the Rays, Cashner is packing his belongings and joining the Red Sox following today's deal that sends 17-year-old outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero to the Orioles. Prado and Romero have been assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Sumer League on separate...

The Orioles have made their first significant trade as the deadline approaches. Starter Andrew Cashner is headed to the Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero. Prado and Romero are both 17 and natives of Venezuela. Prado will be assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Orioles 1 and Romero to the DSL Orioles 2. Cashner was supposed to start Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Rays and manager Brandon Hyde will need to come up with a...