More memories from days covering Orioles spring training
More memories from days covering Orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Because major league spring training remains delayed and I'm stuck at home for an indefinite period - I'd definitely like to know for how long - I must live vicariously through myself. Oh, the memories. I loved the city of Fort Lauderdale and the proximity to South Beach. I had my favorite spots to eat and drink and made lots of friends. I didn't care for the small complex, the flooded dugouts and clubhouse after heavy rains, the limited space, the ballpark lights that didn't work, the...
A former teammate's take on Shed Long Jr. (updated)
A former teammate's take on Shed Long Jr. (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Representatives for Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association met until early this morning in Jupiter, Fla., while trying to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement, moving much closer to one than seemed possible when the sun came up. Blowing past the MLB-imposed deadline that softened and providing reasons to feel a little better about the state of the sport in 2022. Various reports in the afternoon and early evening created a sense of optimism, but were followed after 9...
Analyst bullish on DL Hall, but future role is a question
Analyst bullish on DL Hall, but future role is a question
Steve Melewski
Orioles
There is no doubt that the combination of an injury that limited him to seven starts last season and trouble at times in his career with control and command have dropped Orioles lefty pitching prospect DL Hall a bit on some top 100 prospects lists. But he hasn't dropped on all of them, and on one list, he actually moved way up, even though the outlet feels he could end up pitching in the bullpen in the majors. This is an interesting guy for publications to rank. Before 2021, Baseball...
Amid lockout, prospects learning "Nationals Way" in camp
Amid lockout, prospects learning "Nationals Way" in camp
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
They've been assembled in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the last week, wearing Nationals uniforms, taking the fields outside The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, throwing bullpen sessions, taking batting practice, having fielding and defensive fundamentals pounded into their heads. They're just not big leaguers. Or, more specifically, part of big league camp. As the lockout drags on and owners and players careen towards a do-or-die moment Monday that could result in the postponement of opening...
One analyst's take on O's No. 1 farm rankings
One analyst's take on O's No. 1 farm rankings
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When FanGraphs.com placed six Orioles among its top 69 prospects this week in their ranking of the top 100 in baseball, it was certainly an impressive haul for the O's. But they were not the first outlet to rank six Orioles in the top 100, as ESPN beat them to it by a few days and the O's placed a half-dozen players among the top 98 in baseball. Six Orioles were in the ESPN top 100: 1 - Adley Rutschman 8 - Grayson Rodriguez 74 - Colton Cowser 94 - DL Hall 96 - Gunnar Henderson 98 - Coby...
Tossing out a few Orioles questions during the lockout
Tossing out a few Orioles questions during the lockout
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Pitchers and catchers report today to minor league camp, but the Orioles should be hosting the Pirates this afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium. It says so on the original Grapefruit League schedule. The lockout has forced the cancellation of at least 10 games. Major League Baseball announced on Friday that games were wiped out through March 7, with three more dates tagged onto the first update. A new collective bargaining agreement must be in place for teams to play on March 8. The Orioles have...
What's going to happen once lockout ends?
What's going to happen once lockout ends?
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
It's a matter of when, not if, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement and the lockout ends. Spring will bloom and a new baseball season will be underway. The real question is what is going to happen once the lockout does, in fact, end? It wasn't our direct topic of conversation, but that question was discussed a bit on this week's episode of the "MASN All Access Podcast." I came up with three things that fall under that...
How analytics helped Herrmann turn adversity to advantage
How analytics helped Herrmann turn adversity to advantage
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The analytical side of baseball operations that's reshaping how players are evaluated and instructed, with teams now embracing what they used to resist, didn't find former college pitcher Forrest Herrmann. He hunted for it, absorbed every bit of information available to him, and turned a desperate attempt to draw out the last ounces of his talent into a post-playing career that's taking off. The Orioles hired Herrmann, 29, as their pitching coach at Single-A Aberdeen, contacting the Reds...
Because You Asked - The Rise of Gru
Because You Asked - The Rise of Gru
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The start of the 2022 season reportedly will be delayed, with games lost, unless Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association settle on a new collective bargaining agreement by Monday. An MLB deadline that the union says doesn't really exist. I haven't been locked out of my mailbag. Can't do it. You can negotiate with me, but I'm getting the last word. You get the first by sending along questions. Thanks for your interest and humor. The sequels keep flowing since the original more...
Piggyback pitching on the farm and Kjerstad close to pro debut
Piggyback pitching on the farm and Kjerstad close to pro debut
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Especially at low Single-A Delmarva, but possibly at other affiliates as well, the Orioles could use a piggyback pitching system in some minor league games again this year. Last April in this story, we told you about this coming to the O's farm in advance of the start of the 2021 minor league season. It is essentially where one of the affiliates gets two starting pitchers or starting rotation candidates into the same game, with one going the first part of the contest and the other the second...