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 -...

Josh Michael: Mike Yastrzemski could finally be turning things around

Josh Michael: Mike Yastrzemski could finally be turning things around
There are certain names in the baseball world that, when you hear them, you immediately think of some of the greats. Orioles prospect Mike Yastrzemski has one of those names, and after his recent promotion to Triple-A, he may finally be turning things around. Yastrzemski, 27, is the grandson of baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, and has long been a fan favorite when talking about O's prospects. The ceiling was high, to the point that even O's executive vice president Dan Duquette stated...

O's game blog: O's try to end losing streak versus K.C.

O's game blog: O's try to end losing streak versus K.C.
As the Orioles (8-27) look to break a seven-game losing streak tonight, they host the Kansas City Royals in the second game of a three-game series and nine-game homestand. Right-hander Andrew Cashner (1-4, 4.89) will make his eighth start and fifth at home. Cashner went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA over his first three starts, but over his past four he is 0-3 with a 6.97 ERA. He's allowed 28 hits and five homers over 20 2/3 in those games. Many of Cashner's stats come up short from his 2017...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups for split-squad game

Orioles and Red Sox lineups for split-squad game
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing split-squad games against the Red Sox this afternoon in Fort Myers and the Phillies tonight in Sarasota, and the pitching creates interest in both halves. Hunter Harvey makes his third start today after allowing two runs over four innings against the Rays and Twins. Andrew Cashner has graduated from simulated games and makes his first appearance tonight in the Grapefruit League since signing his two-year deal with the Orioles. Colby Rasmus, Danny...

Tillman still a possible target for Orioles (plus Rule 5 note)

Tillman still a possible target for Orioles (plus Rule 5 note)
With the GM meetings concluded and the Winter Meetings less than a month away, the industry buzz on pitcher Chris Tillman remains that he's seeking a one-year deal and the chance to re-enter the free agent market following the 2018 season. The Orioles are in play as long as Tillman keeps his expectations at a modest level. They like him as a bounceback candidate on a pillow contract. The rotation certainly has room for him. One of the lingering questions is whether Tillman would have to settle...

Another look at Friday's loss and notes from the night on the farm

Another look at Friday's loss and notes from the night on the farm
The Houston Astros began last night leading the American League in runs scored, averaging 5.87 per game, and with a 33-11 road record. They built a big early lead and improved on both stats in Friday's 8-7 win over the Orioles. Houston entered this series scoring a major league-best 7.14 runs per game on the road. When compared to previous full season totals, that number would rank fourth best in big league history. The Orioles found out about that offense as Houston banged out 16 hits and hit...

Pondering the future, a draft pick gets signed and farm notes

Pondering the future, a draft pick gets signed and farm notes
It was such a poor start to the second half this past weekend for the Orioles. Swept by the Cubs and three poor starting pitching performances. Maybe the 2017 Orioles are not done, but it feels like they are. They have the time to salvage this season, but they just don't seem like they have nearly enough starting pitching to do so. Growing speculation that the Orioles are considering trading some key players may actually come as exciting news to fans at this point. Many that write on this blog...

Another look at the latest loss and some farm notes

Another look at the latest loss and some farm notes
The latest chapter during this miserable extended stretch of baseball by the Orioles where no lead is safe and there is seemingly no end to the poor play was written last night. The Orioles led 6-0 after the third inning in Minnesota. By the end of the fifth, they trailed 7-6. They lost 9-6 to fall to 40-46. The Orioles have been outscored 33-13 during an 0-5 road trip that has a chance to get to 0-7. They have lost 30 of the last 45 games. They are 18-36 since they had the best record in the...

Orioles release Bourn again (O's down 4-1)

Orioles release Bourn again (O's down 4-1)
The Orioles released outfielder Michael Bourn from his minor league contract today, making him a free agent who can sign with any team. Bourn reached the opt-out date on his deal and the Orioles didn't have a spot for him on their four-man bench. He was batting .220/.373/.317 in 11 games. Bourn re-signed with the Orioles on Feb. 22, was released on March 27 after breaking his right ring finger in spring training and signed again on April 11. The broken finger occurred while Bourn was catching...

A look at some solid performances on the O's farm

A look at some solid performances on the O's farm
As the four full-season affiliates in the Orioles organization have all now played around 36 games, we've got a large enough sample size to see a few things emerge. A few quick impressions: * Ryan Mountcastle's bat has been pretty special during his debut season at age 20 in the Carolina League for Single-A Frederick. Yes, there are big questions about his defense at shortstop, but his bat looks like it has future middle-of-the-order potential. He went 4-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs last...

Castillo ready to return to active roster

Castillo ready to return to active roster
The Orioles are expected to activate catcher Welington Castillo from the disabled list prior to Tuesday night's series opener against the Tigers at Comerica Park. A team official said it sounds like Castillo will be ready, which will lead to another roster move. Castillo was eligible to return on Thursday while the Orioles were in D.C., but they decided to send him on a short injury rehab assignment. Castillo served as designated hitter in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader at Double-A...

O's game blog: Bundy faces Boston (Bundy and O's beat Boston)

O's game blog: Bundy faces Boston (Bundy and O's beat Boston)
The Orioles begin a four-game series tonight at Boston's Fenway Park. The Orioles won all three series there last season, going 6-3. They went 1-1 this year in a two-game series on April 11-12, losing the series opener 8-1 and then winning the next night 12-5. Since the 2012 season, the Orioles are 57-42 (.576) against the Red Sox. Since that season in Boston, the Orioles have a record of 30-19 (.612). After splitting that series in Boston and taking two of three from the Red Sox earlier at...

Showalter on addition of Crichton, decision to start Asher Saturday

Showalter on addition of Crichton, decision to start Asher Saturday
TORONTO - The thought process was that the Orioles might remove a pitcher from their roster to get right-hander Alec Asher active to make a start here on Saturday against Toronto. Well, there were two pitching moves today, even before the Orioles have to make a roster move to add Asher. The Orioles today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Stefan Crichton from Triple-A Norfolk, adding him to the 25- and 40-man rosters. To make roster room, right-hander Oliver Drake was designated for...

Talking player development: The O's team that did it well while losing

Talking player development: The O's team that did it well while losing
If you look at the job of any minor league organization, its biggest task by far (but not the only one) is to develop players. Coach, teach, instruct and provide a framework for players to get better so they can one day reach the bigs and help the major league team win games. If you can win games on the farm while doing the first job, all the better. But make no mistake, when it comes to developing players or winning, the first is much more important than the second. Let's look at some players...

The scoop on Chris Davis

The scoop on Chris Davis
The play drew more attention to third baseman Manny Machado, which tends to happen with any ball hit in his general direction. The magician with leather on his left hand and a cannon for a right arm leaped to knock down a line drive Wednesday night, reached back with the casual manner of someone picking up a quarter off the floor and fired to first baseman Chris Davis. Or in his general direction. Machado trusted that Davis would come off the bag, play the hop and record the out. Davis obliged,...

Minor league notes on Branden Kline, Mike Yastrzemski and more

Minor league notes on Branden Kline, Mike Yastrzemski and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have dealt with a series of injuries this year at major league camp. And, over at Twin Lakes Park, the O's minor league staff is dealing with a few as well. Right-handed pitcher Branden Kline, who had Tommy John surgery on Oct. 8, 2015, needed a follow-up arthroscopic procedure last week. The Orioles' second-round pick in 2012 out of the University of Virginia, Kline has not pitched since going 3-3 with a 3.66 ERA in eight starts early in the 2015 season for...

Showalter on Rule 5 picks and more

Showalter on Rule 5 picks and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will be challenged to carry a Rule 5 pick this season with Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry emerging as favorites to platoon in the outfield corners. A four-man bench also needs a utility infielder and backup catcher. Manager Buck Showalter has challenged reporters to figure out how the Orioles can include Trey Mancini, who's 12-for-35 (.343) and trying to learn how to play the outfield. Rule 5 outfielders Aneury Tavárez and Anthony Santander just seem to be...

Notes on the Rule 5 draft, Chance Sisco and one interesting tweet

Notes on the Rule 5 draft, Chance Sisco and one interesting tweet
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Baseball America's J.J. Cooper studies and reports on the Rule 5 draft as well as any reporter out there. Yesterday I sought out some of his thoughts on the draft. Last year, the Orioles added outfielder Joey Rickard from the Rays and lost first baseman Ji-man Choi to the Angels in the major league phase of the draft. While the Orioles are almost always active in this draft, Cooper said other teams have joined them in recent years. "Two years ago was kind of an historic...

A roster exclusion, coaching update and Duquette quotes

A roster exclusion, coaching update and Duquette quotes
The Orioles decided not to protect Triple-A outfielder Mike Yastrzemski in the Rule 5 draft, failing to place him on the 40-man roster. Plenty of scouts project Yastrzemski, 26, as a possible fourth outfielder in the majors. The Orioles are hoping he stays in the organization, gets healthy and improves dramatically on his 2016 season. The grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski batted .221/.312/.369 in 94 games at Triple-A Norfolk. Health issues apparently sabotaged his season. "Actually,...

Are the Orioles looking at an active winter?

Are the Orioles looking at an active winter?
In a preview of the Orioles offseason, MLBTradeRumors.com yesterday started a write-up on the club this way: "With some key position players hitting free agency and a still-unsettled rotation, the Orioles are looking at another busy offseason." Is that really true? With six starters under contract for 2017 and a solid bullpen already on hand, this could be a quiet winter on the pitching front. Plus, the club is set with at least five of the eight spots on the diamond. They could retain Mark...