Revisiting some of the most memorable moments in camp
Revisiting some of the most memorable moments in camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Ed Smith Stadium complex remains open to non-roster players. The rehabbing, the recovered, the recent international signing. Media and fans aren't allowed inside. One way we can relate to the 40-man crew. The minor league camp opens on Feb. 28 for pitchers and catchers - and perhaps media and fans. All of the details haven't been worked out. We're stuck waiting to find out whether major league spring training already will be in motion. Commissioner Rob Manfred stated it must run a...
Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues
Despite issues, MLB still has more parity than other leagues
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The National Football League crowned a new champion Sunday night, the Rams winning their first Super Bowl in 22 years (when they still played in St. Louis), making this their first Lombardi Trophy while representing Los Angeles. And they did so by beating a Bengals franchise making its first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years, a franchise still seeking its first title after this heartbreaking loss. The NFL, with its salary cap and even distribution of television money (something it can do...
Does Rutschman have any deficiencies?
Does Rutschman have any deficiencies?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With the understanding that no prospect - no matter how highly rated - is too good to be true, and no prospect is can't-miss, the Orioles' Adley Rutschman does come close. FanGraphs.com, in ranking him the No. 1 Orioles prospect (and several outlets rank him No. 1 prospect in all of baseball), said of Rutschman: "Rutschman is a complete, franchise-altering prospect, and one of the most exciting young players in the entire sport. He's a switch-hitter with a hit/power combination that would...
How will baseball's delay determine what Orioles do with roster?
How will baseball's delay determine what Orioles do with roster?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The opening day roster is supposed to hold 26 players, but a delayed regular season might prompt Major League Baseball to expand it again. There's a precedent, with teams permitted to carry 30 to begin the truncated 2020 season. The Orioles aren't remotely close to setting their roster as the spring training delay is upon us. The sport remains in shutdown mode except for minor league transactions. They haven't moved away from the free agent market and certainly could renew trade talks with...
Will latest offer spark talks or leave them stagnant?
Will latest offer spark talks or leave them stagnant?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Nobody really expected Major League Baseball's latest offer to players to bring an immediate end to the lockout, but there was hope it would at least spark more aggressive negotiations between the two warring parties as the clock ticks down to the point of no return. Based on the immediate reaction widely reported Saturday, it didn't achieve that goal. And that's only going to leave more people around the sport worried the season might not actually start on time. We don't have to delve into...
Discussing pitching prospects, 20-game winners and more
Discussing pitching prospects, 20-game winners and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles pitching prospect Kyle Bradish is ranked among the club's top 10 prospects on lists from Baseball America and MLBPipeline.com. He is rated No. 8 by MLBPipeline.com and No. 9 via Baseball America. This week, FanGraphs.com topped that, ranking the right-hander No. 7 when it released its list of the O's top 45 prospects. The outlet puts a 60 grade on his fastball, which tops in the 97 mph range, and a 55 on his curveball. As I have noted numerous times in this blog, FanGraphs also noted...
There are likely no untouchables in trade talks
There are likely no untouchables in trade talks
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was around Thanksgiving and it was a tweet that got a lot of attention around Birdland. ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted the Orioles were "dangling" lefty John Means in trade talks. Olney cited other teams, not the Orioles, as his source. When a credible national reporter states such, it should get our attention. He does have great sources within the game. But I as wrote in this entry, I felt it was a matter more of the Orioles doing due diligence. I pointed out that there must be numerous...
A sampling of Hardy and Wieters from upcoming "Babe's Birthday Bash"
A sampling of Hardy and Wieters from upcoming "Babe's Birthday Bash"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Among the more humorous social media reactions to the Orioles moving back the left field fence approximately 30 feet this season is how former shortstop J.J. Hardy would have scored standing up on Delmon Young's bases-clearing double in Game 2 of the 2014 American League Division Series against the Tigers. The loudest moment in Camden Yards history. The press box literally shook. The new dimensions would have removed the heart-pounding excitement of a close play at the plate. Hardy's...
Kjerstad recounts his small world moment
Kjerstad recounts his small world moment
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Heston Kjerstad won't claim that he never forgets a face, but the young outfielder was certain that he recognized one of the players who showed up in Sarasota last month to work out at the minicamps for hitters. The stranger wasn't at the fall instructional camp. He wasn't in the organization until January. Who was this guy? A little detective work revealed his identity and proved again that it's a small baseball world. Kjerstad already lived the coincidence of being teammates with...
Although young, Nats farm restocked with position players
Although young, Nats farm restocked with position players
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Last week, we discussed which Nationals pitching prospects could make their major league debuts this season, aside from Cade Cavalli. This week, we're pivoting our attention to the position players on the farm. Amy Jennings and I wondered, during this week's episode of the "MASN All Access Podcast," when we might see them in Washington. But for the purposes of this post, this exercise is going to be more of an appreciation of the restocking of the Nats farm system with position players...