O's draft class arrives at Delmarva, ready for next step (updated)

O's draft class arrives at Delmarva, ready for next step (updated)
SALISBURY, Md. - The team that takes the field tonight at Perdue Stadium for the low Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds will look very different from the team that lost 2-1 at Lynchburg on Sunday. This club tonight is putting a team on the field made up completely of position players from the 2021 First-Year Player draft, along with infielder Coby Mayo, taken in the 2020 draft. Buy a scorecard to watch the Shorebirds this week, as they've added 12 draft picks from the class of 2021, including the...

They lost big talent, but Delmarva continues on with strong season

They lost big talent, but Delmarva continues on with strong season
The Orioles' low Single-A Delmarva affiliate got off to a great start this year. With players like Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and JD Mundy bashing baseballs, the Shorebirds won 15 of their first 20 games and were 19-6 on June 2. During a season where Delmarva has dealt with an ever-changing roster and now used 50 players, the moves started happening even before the first month was out. Westburg and Mundy played just 20 games for the Shorebirds and Henderson played in 35 games before...

More on Mansolino and some minors mumblings

More on Mansolino and some minors mumblings
When the Orioles made the decision to remove José Flores as third base coach and infield instructor, they didn't rush through the process of finding his replacement. They didn't react as though they were on the clock. There was a slow build to the composition of the final list of candidates, with the Orioles more interested in making an outside hire rather than shifting one of their coaches into a new role and further reducing the staff. They replaced pitching coach Doug Brocail with Chris...

Answering some popular Orioles questions

Answering some popular Orioles questions
Rather than take the usual deep dive into my "mailbag," I've decided to skim the surface after the Winter Meetings and address, so to speak, a smaller batch of the more popular questions. I'm skipping anything that includes the phrase "printing the playoff tickets." Also ignored will be the ones that begin with, "Why should I bother to ..." I can't make the decision for you. You'll support the team and the rebuild or you'll bail on them. You could be supportive from your recliner,...

Digging deeper into the hiring of Rosenbaum and Rowe

Digging deeper into the hiring of Rosenbaum and Rowe
The new hires and reassignments in the Orioles' minor league system that were made public yesterday in a press release included a batch of names from outside professional baseball. As expected and, in some cases, already reported. Tim Gibbons, the hitting coach at Double-A Bowie, worked as director of hitting at Elite Sports Training. Ryan Fuller, the hitting coach at Single-A Delmarva, comes from Power in Training. These aren't affiliates. There are recent interns, trainees and apprentices....

Is Mallee a candidate to join Orioles?

Is Mallee a candidate to join Orioles?
The Orioles handled the task this week of notifying three coaches that they wouldn't have their contracts renewed for the 2020 season. The first steps toward making changes. Steps that were bound to happen, though the challenge was identifying the impacted members of the staff. Up next are interviews with candidates that should begin in a couple of days. A procedure that's keeping manager Brandon Hyde in Baltimore. What's known at the present time is that first base coach/outfield instructor...

Hays and Wilkerson included on Glendale roster in AFL

Hays and Wilkerson included on Glendale roster in AFL
Double-A Bowie outfielder Austin Hays and Triple-A Norfolk infielder Steve Wilkerson are the only confirmed Orioles assigned to the Glendale Desert Dogs roster in the Arizona Fall League. The Orioles have four spots saved for pitchers and one for a catcher, who will be announced at a later date. As I wrote yesterday, Bowie catcher Martin Cervenka would have to re-sign as a minor league free agent before the Orioles could send him to Arizona. Orioles minor league infield coordinator Dave...

Wrapping up a 6-3 loss

Wrapping up a 6-3 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles prospects took over the ninth inning today, with Chance Sisco hitting an opposite-field, three-run homer off Rays reliever Brandon Lawson after DJ Stewart singled and Ryan Mountcastle doubled. The Orioles stranded two runners in scoring position and lost to the Rays 6-3, but it provided a nice touch to an otherwise nondescript exhibition opener. "Yeah, especially back-to-back-to-back," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think we hit four balls hard that they caught....

Showalter on Machado's award and shortstop debate (O's lead 7-3)

Showalter on Machado's award and shortstop debate (O's lead 7-3)
Batting practice was halted before 5 p.m. today and the tarp again was unrolled and stretched over the infield with the pending arrival of the latest storm, which has hit twice to varying degrees. Manny Machado's selection as American League Player of the Week didn't exactly send shockwaves through the home clubhouse at Camden Yards. Machado batted .385 (10-for-26) with a double, four home runs - including two grand slams - and 12 RBIs over six games. Among his AL counterparts, Manny finished...

The coach working with Ryan Mountcastle, plus other notes

The coach working with Ryan Mountcastle, plus other notes
When the Orioles recently moved prospect Ryan Mountcastle up to Double-A Bowie, and also moved him from shortstop to third base, the coach that has been with him a lot this year was there again. Dave Anderson, the Orioles' minor league infield coordinator, is well-versed on Mountcastle and his defense. He was there with him in Sarasota, Fla., at minicamp in Janauary when the Orioles developed a throwing program for the 20-year-old Mountcastle. He has been with Mountcastle often this season at...

Mountcastle on his Double-A debut and move to third base

Mountcastle on his Double-A debut and move to third base
BOWIE, Md. - For Ryan Mountcastle, his first game in the Eastern League could have had a storybook ending. He batted for the Double-A Bowie Baysox in a 6-6 tie in the last of the ninth with runners on first and second and no outs. Could he produce a walk-off win in his first game with Bowie after being promoted earlier today from Single-A Frederick? He could not, but it still was a significant day in the life of the 20-year-old No. 3 rated Orioles prospect, according to Baseball America. A...

Ryan Mountcastle makes Double-A debut at Bowie (updated)

Ryan Mountcastle makes Double-A debut at Bowie (updated)
BOWIE, Md. - Promoted today from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie, 20-year-old infielder Ryan Mountcastle is batting fifth and playing third base tonight for the Baysox. Mountcastle played exclusively at shortstop this season for Frederick, where he hit .314/.343/.542 with 35 doubles, a triple, 15 homers, 47 RBIs and with an OPS of .885 in 88 games. He began today leading all of minor league baseball in doubles and ranks second in extra-base hits. This is a position change for Mountcastle,...

Castillo set for rehab assignment at Bowie (O's lose 7-6)

Castillo set for rehab assignment at Bowie (O's lose 7-6)
WASHINGTON - Orioles catcher Welington Castillo won't get his wish to skip a minor league rehab assignment. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that Castillo will throw to bases on Saturday and report to Double-A Bowie the following day. Castillo is likely to play in one game before the Orioles activate him from the 10-day disabled list. The Baysox have a 2 p.m. game Sunday versus Richmond at Prince George's Stadium. "We're not going to take him all the way to Kansas City and fly him...

O's keeping Mountcastle on shortstop throwing program

O's keeping Mountcastle on shortstop throwing program
SARASOTA, Fla. - The three-day minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex has enabled the Orioles to offer a unique experience to one of their prospects: a throwing program for an infielder. It isn't routine in baseball. Such programs usually are associated with pitchers. But the Orioles are providing one to Single-A Delmarva shortstop Ryan Mountcastle, the 36th overall pick in the 2015 draft who's trying to stay at his current position. Mountcastle wants to play shortstop, but there are...

Orioles return Dave Anderson to organization (and other notes)

Orioles return Dave Anderson to organization (and other notes)
NASHVILLE - The Orioles officially brought back Dave Anderson to the organization, hiring him for his old job as minor league infield coordinator. Anderson, the former Dodgers infielder, managed the Angels' Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake over the summer. He expressed interest in returning to the Orioles after a one-year absence and they were happy to oblige. Kevin Bradshaw, hired by the Orioles as Anderson's replacement, will run extended spring training and coach in Florida, his duties...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The general managers meetings start today in Boca Raton, Fla., and executive vice president Dan Duquette will try to lay the groundwork for future deals at next month's Winter Meetings in Nashville. An acquisition this week would come as a surprise. Heck, it's usually pretty quiet at the Winter Meetings except for the Rule 5 draft. As the Orioles search for an outfielder in the early stages of free agency, they also continue to check the trade market and monitor possible non-tenders. Josh...

Orioles confirm Anderson hiring, more on Hardy and Wieters

Orioles confirm Anderson hiring, more on Hardy and Wieters
The Orioles have announced the hiring of former Rangers coach Dave Anderson as minor league infield coordinator. Anderson replaces Matt Martin, who held the job for one season and is no longer in the organization. I wrote about Anderson this morning. Quick recap: Anderson played on the Dodgers team that won the 1988 World Series over the Athletics. He's managed in the minors, and he served as Rangers third base coach for four seasons and first base coach in 2013. The Rangers fired him Oct....

Updating the Orioles' search for a minor league infield coordinator

Updating the Orioles' search for a minor league infield coordinator
The Orioles completed their major league coaching staff this week with the hiring of bullpen coach Dom Chiti. Now, they're drawing closer to filling a vacancy in the minors. According to sources outside the organization, former Rangers coach Dave Anderson has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Matt Martin as minor league infield coordinator. I don't have confirmation from the Orioles, but that's the buzz. They could make an announcement later this week. Anderson, 53, spent four...