Post-game Notes:  A's take series finale
Post-game Notes: A's take series finale
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Offense Again - Another day with just three runs for the O's on offense. They scored just seven runs in this series and have scored just 12 runs over the last five games and 24 runs over the last eight. The O's had nine hits today and have just one game of ten or more hits in the last eight games. They have homered just twice in the last seven contests. The O's hitters went 1 for 7 today, for the second straight game, when batting with runners in scoring position. The Orioles are...
O's withdraw contract offer to Givens
O's withdraw contract offer to Givens
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was not looking good earlier this week for the Orioles to sign their second-round draft choice, Florida high school shortstop Mychal Givens. Tonight it looks like the O's have closed the door on negotiations and will move on without signing Givens. O's scouting director Joe Jordan tells MASNsports.com "we no longer have an offer on the table." In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Orioles thought they had a handle on the dollar amount it would take to sign Givens. On draft day,...
No blame in Givens situation
No blame in Givens situation
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Joe Jordan's track record as Orioles' scouting director is very good. We can all look at his drafts and see the talent he has added to the organization. His decision to withdraw a contract offer to second-round pick Mychal Givens was not made lightly. When I spoke on the phone with him Wednesday night he sounded pretty down about the whole thing. After all, he and his scouts put in a massive amount of time and effort in scouting and getting to know Givens. To not get the player signed is...
O's agree with Coffey on big bucks deal
O's agree with Coffey on big bucks deal
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When the Orioles were unable to sign second-round draft pick Mychal Givens, O's scouting director Joe Jordan said this would now allow the club to pursue other players later in the draft that the O's felt were "second round talents." It's clear tonight, one of the players he was referring to was high school pitcher Cameron Coffey. Check out this story out of Houston tonight and the big dollars the O's are giving Coffey. Before you ask why he lasted until round 22 of the draft, one...
Joe Jordan comments on the signing of Coffey
Joe Jordan comments on the signing of Coffey
Steve Melewski
Orioles
O's scouting director Joe Jordan has confirmed that the O's tonight have finalized a contract with their 22nd-round draft pick, Houston high school left-handed pitcher Cameron Coffey. Reports out of Houston and from Baseball America say Coffey will receive a signing bonus of $990,000, more than some late first-round picks got this year. Jordan would not confirm the amount of the signing bonus but it is reportedly one of the largest bonuses ever given a player taken outside the first ten...
Getting defensive
Getting defensive
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Miguel Tejada looks like he's been playing third base his entire baseball life. Tejada made another sliding stop and throw to retire Evan Longoria in the second inning, again displaying quick reflexes while preventing the ball from handcuffing him. And he turned a 5-3 double play to end the inning on Pat Burrell's broken-bat shot to third. Tejada made the right choice in racing to the bag rather than throwing to second base and trying to start a 5-4-3 double play. He's still got a cannon...
Minor League affiliates begin play Thursday
Minor League affiliates begin play Thursday
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles four minor league full-season affiliates begin play tomorrow night. Chris Tillman is the scheduled starter Thursday at 7:15 when the Tides open at home vs. defending International League champion Durham. Those expected to join Tillman in the Norfolk rotation are Jake Arrieta, Brandon Erbe, Troy Patton and Alfredo Simon. We have not heard the rotation order after Tillman. Zach Britton, the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year in 2009 at Frederick, will make his Double-A debut and...
Taking a quick lead (w/note added)
Taking a quick lead (w/note added)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles scored twice in the top of the first inning, parlaying two singles, a walk and a Tampa Bay error into a 2-0 lead. Miguel Tejada had an RBI single, but most interesting to me was the infield shift against catcher Matt Wieters that almost produced the final out. Second baseman Reid Brignac moves to shallow right field and shortstop Jason Bartlett circles around second base, but third baseman Evan Longoria only takes a few steps toward shortstop. Wieters hit a sharp grounder...
Revisiting the Atkins play
Revisiting the Atkins play
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It was basic baseball, according to manager Dave Trembley. You have runners on the corners and nobody out, you send the lead guy home when the ball's hit on the ground. You can't have him stay at third as a double play's being turned. Garrett Atkins was thrown out at the plate in the top of the ninth inning last night on Brian Roberts' grounder to third baseman Evan Longoria. The Orioles didn't score and...well, you know the rest. Longoria bobbled the ball, which eliminated any chance...
Turn the page
Turn the page
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Dave Trembley suggested that we all "turn the page on spring training" when discussing Jeremy Guthrie. Sounds like a plan. Guthrie was 0-4 with a 7.40 ERA in six starts, with 28 hits, 13 walks, 16 strikeouts and three hit batters in 20 2/3 innings. Turn the page. Maybe we should flip backward, since Guthrie posted a 2.08 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay last season. He allowed three runs, walked one and struck out six in 13 innings. The Rays didn't homer off him. "I like...