After his 2021 season, what should we be making of Akin?

After his 2021 season, what should we be making of Akin?
After ending the 2020 season looking like he could be a key member of the 2021 Orioles rotation, lefty Keegan Akin was not even on the opening day roster this season. But he would eventually get to Baltimore. And partially because the minor league season didn't start until May, he wound up throwing just one game and two innings at Triple-A this year and pitching in 24 games and throwing 95 innings in the majors for the Orioles. After May 10, he never went back to the farm. Akin was one of just...

Mancini, Mullins and Mountcastle are MLBPA award finalists

Mancini, Mullins and Mountcastle are MLBPA award finalists
The Orioles have three finalists for the Major League Baseball Players Association's Players Choice Awards, which were announced today. Cedric Mullins and Trey Mancini are finalists, along with Mitch Haniger of Seattle, for the American League Comeback Player Award. Ryan Mountcastle joins Randy Arozarena of Tampa Bay and Adolis García of Texas as finalists for the MLBPA's Outstanding Rookie Award. A year after missing the entire 2020 season after treatment and chemotherapy for cancer,...

Hale joining Martinez's staff as bench coach (plus awards note)

Hale joining Martinez's staff as bench coach (plus awards note)
Former Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale will join new Nationals manager Dave Martinez's staff as bench coach, according to multiple published reports. Hale, 52, skippered the D-backs in 2015 and 2016, compiling a 148-176 record (.457) but never finishing higher than third in the National League West in his rookie season. He spent last season as the bench coach on manager Bob Melvin's A's staff and was that club's third base coach for the three seasons before he was hired to pilot the...

Trumbo receives Comeback Player of the Year Award

Trumbo receives Comeback Player of the Year Award
The players have spoken again and they remain impressed with how Mark Trumbo elevated his game in 2016. Trumbo won the Players Choice Award for American League Comeback Player of the Year, the announcement coming tonight on MLB Network. He beat out the Rangers' Ian Desmond and Yu Darvish. Closer Zach Britton was a finalist for Outstanding Pitcher in the American League, but Red Sox starter Rick Porcello took the prize. The Indians' Corey Kluber also was a finalist. The Sporting News named...

Murphy voted NL Most Outstanding Player by peers

Murphy voted NL Most Outstanding Player by peers
Daniel Murphy earned the Nationals' first end-of-season award tonight when he was named the National League's Most Outstanding Player as part of the annual Players Choice Awards. Murphy was selected by his peers in the NL in voting that was conducted in mid-September. He beat out the Cubs' Kris Bryant and the Rockies' Nolan Arenado, the other two finalists. "That, for me, is the highest praise you can get: to be recognized by your peers," Murphy said during the award show televised on MLB...

Trumbo and Britton finalists for awards

Trumbo and Britton finalists for awards
NEW YORK - Rain continues to fall at Yankee Stadium this afternoon and the tarp is on the field. No batting practice and no idea whether tonight's game starts on time. We're waiting to meet with manager Buck Showalter. So far, there's been no news to report. Just an Orioles lineup that again excludes Pedro Alvarez versus a right-handed starter. Showalter values Michael Bourn's defense in right field, which puts Mark Trumbo in the designated hitter slot. Trumbo and Zach Britton are finalists...

Peers recognize Bryce Harper as NL's Outstanding Player for 2015

Peers recognize Bryce Harper as NL's Outstanding Player for 2015
Bryce Harper was named the National League Outstanding Player of the Year at tonight's Major League Baseball Players Choice Awards. Harper smashed 42 homers, tying Colorado's Nolan Arenado for tops in the league. He led the NL in on-base percentage (.460) and slugging percentage (.649), while his .330 batting average was second best in the league to Miami's Dee Gordon. "I'm definitely very fortunate to play this game every single day," Harper said after receiving the honor on MLB Network....

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...

Dylan Bundy makes second start in AFL

Dylan Bundy makes second start in AFL
Dylan Bundy, the Orioles' top prospect, allowed one run and two hits in his one inning today for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. He threw 19 pitches, including 14 for strikes. Bundy's fastball was 92-94 mph, according to the radar gun used on MLB Network. He also mixed in his slider, changeup and curveball. Surprise Saguaros leadoff hitter Charlie Tilson reached on a single down the left field line, stole second, moved to third on Yadiel Rivera's ground ball to short and...