Never too soon to talk about a few free agent pitchers
Never too soon to talk about a few free agent pitchers
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Well, it is almost that time of the year. The time when baseball free agents are able to sign with any team and the hot stove season truly starts to heat up. We are not quite there yet, and most winters, things start slowly and this year should be no different. Especially with the uncertainly over the collective bargaining agreement. MLBTradeRumors.com listed several categories of free agent starting pitchers this week. And, while we don't expect the Orioles to be diving into the deep end of...
Catching up on the Orioles' plans behind the plate
Catching up on the Orioles' plans behind the plate
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The clock keeps ticking on Adley Rutschman, and the sound of it can drown out a 747. A one-one makes more noise. Rutschman is going to play in the majors in 2022, but Orioles fans want to know whether he breaks camp with the team or returns to Triple-A Norfolk, where he appeared in 43 games last summer and batted .312/.405/.490 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 20 RBIs. He threw out runners attempting to steal second and third base. He handled the pitching staff with a maturity...
Thomas surprisingly put himself into Nats' potential plan
Thomas surprisingly put himself into Nats' potential plan
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: LANE THOMAS Age on opening day 2022: 26 How acquired: Traded from Cardinals for Jon Lester, July 2021 MLB service time: 2 years, 14 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2023, free agent in 2026 2021 stats (STL/WSH): 77 G, 264 PA, 226 AB, 35 R, 53 H, 15 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 6 SB, 3 CS, 37 BB, 63 SO, .235 AVG, .341 OBP, .412 SLG, .752 OPS, 107 OPS+, minus-2 DRS, 0.6 fWAR, 0.9 bWAR Quotable: "At the end of the day, I always knew...
More on the Orioles' fall instructional camp
More on the Orioles' fall instructional camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles released the names of the 50 players invited to their fall instructional league camp in Sarasota, Fla. An interesting mix that highlights the organization's commitment to the amateur draft and international market - two of the most powerful fuels to get the rebuild moving in the right direction. What did we learn from the names on the roster and accompanying information? * Players recovering from injuries or surgeries are progressing to the point where they can be participants in...
Random stats and notes from the 2021 season
Random stats and notes from the 2021 season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When it comes to team fielding percentage, the 2021 Orioles ranked among the American League leaders. In fact, at .9869, the Orioles recorded the third-best fielding percentage in the AL and were sixth-best in the majors. This is among a host of stats and notes in the team's 2021 season summary produced by the Orioles public relations department that the media recently received. Houston rated first in the AL in fielding percentage and Oakland was second. In some other numbers, the Orioles were...
Coles' mantra for Nats hitters: "Dominate the strike zone"
Coles' mantra for Nats hitters: "Dominate the strike zone"
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Over the course of more than 30 minutes answering questions from reporters over Zoom this afternoon, new Nationals hitting coach Darnell Coles espoused all kinds of thoughts on philosophy, approach, communication and everything else that goes into his job. It's all quite interesting, and the Nats hope the 59-year-old is exactly what they need as they continue their rebuilding project with a partially remade coaching staff. But asked to condense it all down to one overriding mantra on hitting,...
Nationals name Darnell Coles hitting coach
Nationals name Darnell Coles hitting coach
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with hitting coach Darnell Coles on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Coles, 59, joins the Nationals after spending the previous three seasons (2019-21) as the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2019, the Diamondbacks matched a club record with 220 home runs, an increase of 44 home runs from the previous season. That season, Arizona had six players with at least 25 home...
Orioles open fall instructional camp in Sarasota
Orioles open fall instructional camp in Sarasota
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles begin their fall instructional league camp this morning in Sarasota, Fla., and players gathering at the Ed Smith Stadium complex include 19 that MLBPipeline.com ranks among the top 30 prospects in the organization. One of the headliners is outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the second-overall pick in the 2020 draft who hasn't been able to play since his diagnosis of myocarditis following his selection. He's been taking batting practice and is now cleared for an increase in baseball...
Orioles to host Fall Instructional League Camp in Sarasota
Orioles to host Fall Instructional League Camp in Sarasota
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles will host the team's Fall Instructional League Camp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla. beginning today, Monday, October 18, and running through Saturday, November 20. The Instructional League program focuses on specific individual development to help accelerate a player's progress through the minor league system. The roster of players participating in this year's camp is listed below. Among those participating include 17 members of the Orioles 2021 draft...
This O's late-season addition put his best foot forward
This O's late-season addition put his best foot forward
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If the Orioles want to make big improvement next year, maybe they need right-hander Chris Ellis to make every start he possibly can. Acquired by the club on Aug. 20 on waivers from Tampa Bay, Ellis went 0-0, but posted a 2.49 ERA for the Orioles in six games. Over 25 1/3 innings, he yielded 18 hits, including three homers, with 13 walks and 16 strikeouts. He recorded a WHIP of 1.224, allowing 6.4 hits per nine, with 4.6 walks and 5.7 strikeouts. He made six starts for the club and the Orioles...