Joey Ortiz Aberdeen helmet
A look at how Joey Ortiz rose from struggling at Double-A to the top 100 list
Steve Melewski
Orioles
How does a player batting .206 with an OPS of .596 at the end of June last year at Double-A end up several months later ranked among Baseball America’s top 100 national prospects? For Orioles shortstop prospect Joey Ortiz, it took a lot of hard work, a few swing adjustments and belief in self. He went from a player that had left labrum surgery end
Will improved middle infield have real impact on pitching?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As much as the Nationals pitching staff struggled last season, there was always an underlying question in the back of coaches and front office members’ minds: How much did bad defense contribute to those struggles? Statistically, the Nats pitching staff was the worst in the majors in 2022. So, too, was the team’s defense. Until mid-August, that is,
How do Orioles handle first base at Triple-A Norfolk?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first order of business for the Orioles at spring training is finding 26 players to hop on the charter flight to Boston for opening day. Thirteen pitchers and 13 position players. No more questions about the composition of the rotation and bullpen, and which players join backup catcher James McCann and Ramón Urías or Adam Frazier on the bench.
A good week for the farm and player development
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For a team looking to build an elite pipeline and support and grow its organization with quality home-grown talent, the last week or so have been good days for the Orioles. It began a week ago today, when the club announced an international signing class of 27 players, headed up by 16-year-old shortstop Luis Ayden Almeyda. He got a $2.3 million sig
Meneses, Ramirez headed to WBC; Barrera signs with Cards
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
At least two members of the Nationals’ projected Opening Day roster are expected to participate in this spring’s World Baseball Classic, with Joey Meneses and Erasmo Ramirez among those named to their home countries’ preliminary rosters. Meneses (Mexico) and Ramirez (Nicaragua) were formally included on the WBC preliminary rosters that were reporte
Kremer talks about his workouts, season and cooking skills
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Nothing has changed with the Orioles rotation as we enter a new week. The same group of candidates for five spots, led by … we don’t know. The thought of an open competition really intrigues. Then again, so does a trade for a legitimate No. 1 starter, but don't leave a candle burning for Miami's Pablo López, because he's headed to the Twins. Nothin
Will O's hurlers smoothly adapt to the pitch clock?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The 2023 Major League Baseball season will be unique in a few ways with some new rules coming to the majors for the first time. Such as the use of the pitch clock. Will Orioles pitchers have any issues adjusting to the clock? We can’t know this answer yet, obviously, but I am going to guess any issues will be minimal. Under the new rules, pitchers
Coles believes Meneses' late success is sustainable
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Joey Meneses took the Nationals and the major leagues by storm over the season’s final two months last year. The 30-year-old rookie had spent 10 years in the minors, Mexican and Japanese professional leagues before having his contract selected by the Nationals and making his major league debut on Aug. 2 against the Mets. Not many people knew who Me
Leftovers for breakfast
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A new top 101 baseball prospects ranking again gives lots of love to the Orioles, with eight players included on the list. Just not the exact same eight that made Baseball America’s top 100 this week. Baseball Prospectus also puts infielder Gunnar Henderson at No. 1 while he retains his eligibility. The two publications are in agreement here. Pitch
Where will Nationals rotation depth come from?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals’ best hope for significant improvement in 2023 is through a significantly improved rotation. It’s really as simple as that. The 2022 Nats rotation was awful. That group’s 5.97 ERA didn’t just rank last in the majors, it ranked last in club history. By leaps and bounds. Only three previous times had the Nationals ended a season with a