Joseph on Rutschman: "I think they've got a great one"

TORONTO – Caleb Joseph didn’t need a large sample size to get a feel for Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, to properly ascertain just how good baseball’s No. 1 prospect can be behind the plate and with a bat in his hands.

One series was sufficient for Joseph to receive confirmation Monday night as he sat in the Blue Jays’ radio booth to begin a four-game series. It matched the research done to prepare for his assignment.

The next chapter in Joseph’s professional life isn’t as a scout, but he knows catching, having spent parts of seven seasons doing it at the highest level and 555 games catching in the minors. He knows a legit player when he sees one.

And he understands why success doesn’t arrive at the exact moment that the jersey is buttoned for the first time.

Rutschman caught last night and hit his first major league home run, which also produced his first two RBIs – sending a 94 mph fastball from José Berríos over the center field fence in the fourth inning. He’s 3-for-11 in the series, serving as the designated hitter Tuesday with Trey Mancini injured and Anthony Santander back in Baltimore.

Some reasons why Nottingham netted a minor league deal

Some reasons why Nottingham netted a minor league deal
The Orioles had a quiet weekend, at least on the transactions wire. They could have been working on their minor league coaching staffs or engaging in negotiations with representatives for minor league free agents. But nothing public to digest. Their work isn't done behind the plate, but Jacob Nottingham is a heavy favorite to make up half the catching duo on opening day because he's under contract. It doesn't take much more than that. The 40-man roster is lacking a backstop and that won't...

Caleb Joseph on return to Baltimore, plus other notes

Caleb Joseph on return to Baltimore, plus other notes
It is a very familiar sight but in an unfamiliar uniform. Catcher Caleb Joseph, the Orioles' seventh-round draft pick in 2008 who spent five seasons with the big league club, returned to Baltimore this week. He's on the Toronto Blue Jays' taxi squad after spending last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After spending a few years wondering if he would ever move past Double-A Bowie on the farm - he played there parts of four seasons - Joseph finally broke into the majors in 2014. At the...

Orioles sign Holaday to minor league contract

Orioles sign Holaday to minor league contract
The Orioles keep whittling their offseason shopping list, with pitching and maybe a defensive-minded center fielder the remaining priorities. The latter only on a minor league contract. Seeking a fourth catcher to provide depth and camp competition, the Orioles today announced the signing of veteran Bryan Holaday to a minor league deal. He's going to be included on the list of invites. Holaday, 32, is a career .241/.287/.340 hitter in parts of eight major league seasons since the Tigers...

Taking another look at Orioles' roster needs

Taking another look at Orioles' roster needs
As the Orioles move through another month of their offseason and draw closer to the start of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9, they haven't ventured far from predictability. This team needs at least one starting pitcher and reliever to improve their depth and allow their prospects to develop at the proper pace without being rushed. They're willing to talk trades and one-year deals and delve into the minor league free agent market. Nothing splashy. Nothing that deviates from the previous...

Sisco settles in behind plate again

Sisco settles in behind plate again
Chance Sisco has absorbed the usual punishment as a catcher. The foul tips, the backswings, the collisions. No one is immune to it if their chosen profession involves squatting behind home plate. But the sixth inning. What in the world was going on in the sixth inning? The Red Sox sent 12 batters to the plate Sunday afternoon and scored six runs. They also sent Sisco to the trainers' room, the second unfortunate incident thrashing the highest pain threshold. There was no way to withstand...

Recapping last night's Orioles win and looking ahead

Recapping last night's Orioles win and looking ahead
PHOENIX - Dwight Smith Jr. used to be hitless in 33 at-bats and looking every bit like a player in a deep funk. Smith is a changed man. Hits in his last four games. A single and three-run homer last night in a 7-2 win. A hot streak that seemed to come out of nowhere. "I just kept working hard," he said. "It's just baseball. I was coming back from injury, so I was just getting timing back. And me struggling mentally and physically, it was a lot, but I had good teammates and good supporting...

Rutschman makes catching debut in GCL

Rutschman makes catching debut in GCL
PHOENIX - The hype over Adley Rutschman isn't going to subside or slow as long as he continues down this path. And that's fine with the Orioles, who are enjoying every step of it. Rutschman made his catching debut today in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after serving as the designated hitter on Saturday in his first game. He went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in the GCL Orioles' 9-1 victory over the GCL Braves. The Braves didn't attempt a stolen base against him. The...

Morning notes on Mancini's locker and Joseph's new deal

Morning notes on Mancini's locker and Joseph's new deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - About a month before Trey Mancini arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, he received a text from Orioles catcher Chance Sisco that included a photo of his locker inside the home clubhouse. Mancini had moved down to the end of the row. In the corner where Adam Jones always resided in spring training. Sacred baseball ground. With only two full seasons in the majors, Mancini had become the chosen one. "I certainly didn't request it," Mancini said, smiling. "They had to put...

Susac on second chance with Orioles

Susac on second chance with Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rain has been falling all morning in Sarasota and it could impact the first workout for Orioles pitchers and catchers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. They'll attempt to head outdoors if the proverbial window opens. Former Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph has signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth a guaranteed $1.1 million. He turned down the Orioles' offer of a minor league contract, held out for something better and got it. The Orioles brought six catchers to camp,...

Orioles sign Sucre to minor league deal

Orioles sign Sucre to minor league deal
The Orioles' search for a veteran catcher to toss into the spring training competition led them to Jesús Sucre, who has agreed to terms on a minor league deal. The announcement came this afternoon. Sucre's contract includes an invitation to major league camp and guarantees $850,000 if he makes the club. USA Today reported that the deal also includes a March 22 opt-out date. The 40-man roster still holds only two catchers - Austin Wynns and Chance Sisco, who were rookies in 2018. Non-roster...

Eighteen non-roster players invited to Orioles spring training

Eighteen non-roster players invited to Orioles spring training
The Orioles are inviting 18 non-roster players to spring training, with the possibility of further additions depending on other moves that could be made before pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12. The group of invites includes eight pitchers - right-handers Dean Kremer, Gregory Infante, Gabriel Ynoa, Zach Pop, Josh Lucas and Bo Schultz, and left-handers Chris Lee and Sean Gilmartin. Also receiving lockers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex are catchers Martin Cervenka, Carlos Pérez and...

More on Davis and the catchers

More on Davis and the catchers
The Orioles aren't ready to announce their new coaching staff under manager Brandon Hyde, the assistant hitting coach believed to be the final piece. It's expected to happen soon, well in advance of the beginning of spring training. First baseman Chris Davis knows that Don Long is replacing Scott Coolbaugh as hitting coach. He hadn't heard any updates on the assistant hitting coach when we spoke a few days ago and didn't know whether Howie Clark, who held the job last summer, was assured of...

Tossing out free agent suggestions for the Orioles

Tossing out free agent suggestions for the Orioles
The challenges for the Orioles in filling the holes in their roster include payroll limitations and enticing free agents without the promise of a winning season and playoff run. Using a championship ring as a selling point would ring hollow. We've gone over the list of needs, which more easily can be addressed via trades. Players don't have a choice, of course. Infielder Jonathan Villar was pulled from a pennant race at the non-waiver deadline and joined a team with the worst record in...

Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers (arbitration update)

Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers (arbitration update)
The need for more infield depth led the Orioles earlier today to make another waiver claim. The Orioles have brought Hanser Alberto into the organization, with catcher Andrew Susac designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Alberto, 26, can play all four infield positions and is a career .309/.330/.438 hitter in 1,000 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. He slashed .330/.346/.452 last summer in 101 games at Round Rock in the Rangers' system, and .322/.366/.392 in 43...

Orioles agree to terms with Villar, Bundy and Givens

Orioles agree to terms with Villar, Bundy and Givens
None of the Orioles who are eligible for arbitration will be going to a hearing. The deals are done. The club has reached agreements with infielder Jonathan Villar, starter Dylan Bundy and reliever Mychal Givens on contracts for the 2019 season. An announcement will come later today. Terms aren't immediately available. The Orioles acquired Villar, pitcher Luis Ortiz and infielder Jean Carmona from the Brewers on July 31 for second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who was non-tendered and signed a...

Constructing Orioles roster a gradual process

Constructing Orioles roster a gradual process
While the baseball world balances on the edge of its seats waiting for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper to sign their monstrous contracts, which will reduce the media's baseball chatter by about 75 percent, the Orioles are quietly researching ways to fill out their roster. Much of the heavy lifting outside of it is done. Two big front office hires have been completed in executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and assistant Sig Mejdal, the latter responsible for building up the...

O's reach agreement with catcher Carlos Pérez on minors deal

O's reach agreement with catcher Carlos Pérez on minors deal
The Orioles have made a move to improve their catching depth in the organization. Carlos Pérez, 28, has agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training pending the completion of a physical. He can earn a guaranteed $650,000 if he makes the Orioles roster. Pérez is a native of Venezuela who appeared in eight games with the Braves and 20 with the Rangers last season and was 10-for-70 with two doubles and a home run. He hasn't done much offensively in the majors,...

Wynns' offseason includes instruction from Dempsey

Wynns' offseason includes instruction from Dempsey
A casual clubhouse conversation over the summer between a past and current Orioles catcher led to an offseason lunch, a lengthy workout and a relationship that could pay dividends on the field. Rick Dempsey, the former World Series Most Valuable Player and current MASN analyst who played in the majors for 24 seasons and owns two championship rings. Austin Wynns, a rookie at 27 trying to stick around as a backup with perhaps an opportunity to do more in the future. Too bad it wasn't caught on...

A few ideas for the Orioles as they head into 2019

A few ideas for the Orioles as they head into 2019
A new year carries with it the same tasks placed in front of executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, assistant Sig Mejdal and manager Brandon Hyde. No one has been hired to replace director of player development Brian Graham and director of scouting Gary Rajsich. Only two coaches are known to have joined the staff, with a third offered a job in the bullpen, per sources. And how's that analytics department coming along? Openings remain for a manager at Triple-A Norfolk, a...