Inviting conversation about non-roster players in spring training
Inviting conversation about non-roster players in spring training
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Is it safe to slip into spring training mode? Is it really going to happen, with Orioles pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 16 - one day after most or all of the beat crew arrives in Sarasota, Fla.? Multiple reports are feeding us optimism by the ladle. That's nice. But I'll repeat that teams were told back in October to prepare as though camps would open on time and the season would consist of 162 games. We only know that nothing has changed in that regard. No one has been instructed to...
On this date today and in the past (Mancini update)
On this date today and in the past (Mancini update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The deadline has arrived for teams to sign their arbitration-eligible players for the 2021 season. The Orioles tendered contracts to outfielders Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander back on Dec. 2. However, the sides will exchange figures later this afternoon if they don't reach agreements by 1 p.m., and hearings will be scheduled for next month. Negotiations are allowed to continue beyond the salary exchange. However, the Orioles could be in file-and-trial mode again, which heightens the...
Notes on Epstein to MLB, international signings and more
Notes on Epstein to MLB, international signings and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Now that he has helped the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs win a combined three World Series, Theo Epstein will try to help baseball improve its game. Maybe get more action in the game and work on rules that fans will embrace. Major League Baseball yesterday named Epstein a consultant regarding on-field matters. Under the supervision of the commissioner and the competition committee, Epstein will work with baseball analytics experts from the commissioner's office and the clubs to determine the...
Arbitration process is complicated for three Nats stars
Arbitration process is complicated for three Nats stars
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The majority of arbitration cases are relatively simple. Players who have accrued between three and six years of big league service time and their clubs typically agree on a salary figure without ever needing to file for arbitration or have their cases heard before a panel. There are always a few complicated cases, though, usually involving big-name players whose salary requests go well beyond what the club has proposed. Now throw in the unprecedented nature of the 2020 season, and you've got...
Noting a few more O's pitchers via spin rate data, plus other notes
Noting a few more O's pitchers via spin rate data, plus other notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
OK, don't panic but I'm going to throw out a few more notes today on four-seam fastball spin rate. Basically just add a few pitchers to the Orioles I listed among the data presented in this entry yesterday. If you recall, the spin rate data yesterday was produced for every big league pitcher last year that threw 250 or more pitches. Not just four-seamers, but total pitches. Of which they had their data for those pitches - to include four-seam fastballs. Last night I lowered the standard to...
Reviewing the results of the All-Camden Yards Draft
Reviewing the results of the All-Camden Yards Draft
Paul Mancano
Orioles
In search of a way to fill the void generated by an especially slow offseason, the "MASN All Access Podcast" had to get creative. Joined by Connor Newcomb of the "Locked On Orioles Podcast," Brendan Mortensen and I created the All-Camden Yards Draft with the simple goal of drafting three teams whose rosters are filled with the greatest Orioles players to have ever played at "the ballpark that forever changed baseball." And who better to judge the results than Orioles fans? These were the...
Improved lineup or not, Nats need to pitch better in 2021
Improved lineup or not, Nats need to pitch better in 2021
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals' stated No. 1 priority this winter was to acquire a big bat, and the recent acquisitions of both Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber each meet that criteria. But let's be honest here: The Nats' best path to contending in 2021 isn't via a more productive lineup, it's via a more effective pitching staff. As glaring as the hole in the heart of the batting order last season was, the Nationals still were an average to above-average offensive club. They ranked 10th in the majors in runs,...
Taking a look at fastball spin rate data
Taking a look at fastball spin rate data
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The data is available on the baseballsavant.mlb.com website and anyone can find it. Trying to understand exactly what it all means is a whole different story. I am talking about spin rates for major league pitchers. No doubt, big league teams like the Orioles have reams and reams of data not available to the public and interpret it in ways you and I could only dream of. They are experts and I am a beginner. But with some help while using what is publicly available, I want to try and learn more...
Will Robles return to 2019 form on defense?
Will Robles return to 2019 form on defense?
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Victor Robles came into the 2020 season bigger and stronger, but did that extra bulk and weight affect his defensive efficiency in center field? The outfield analytical numbers from 2019 were eye-popping. Robles led the major leagues in Outs Above Average with 23. In a shortened 2020 campaign, Robles was tied for 54th with just two Outs Above Average. His success rate on defense was still good at 90 percent. In 2019, he reached a 93 percent success rate on defense. Of course, Robles only played...
Thurman believes Soto can be an above-average defender
Thurman believes Soto can be an above-average defender
Byron Kerr
Nationals
A lot of talk this week has centered around the Nationals' outfield defense, with the signing of free agent Kyle Schwarber. When Victor Robles is going well, he is an elite center field defender. But can Schwarber and Juan Soto hold their own on the corners? Nationals outfield/baserunning coordinator Gary Thurman acknowledges that there is a difference between guys like Robles and Michael A. Taylor, who have the ability to turn extra-base hits into outs. But Thurman believes that the best...