One player's endorsement for O's minor league hitting program
One player's endorsement for O's minor league hitting program
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was, no doubt, a very good 2021 season for some Orioles hitters on the farm. In the new Baseball America top 10 prospects list that was released this week, seven of the 10 players listed were hitters. The Orioles have been drafting hitters at the top of the draft since executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias took over here after the 2018 season, and those picks are now getting closer to the majors and drawing notice in lists like those from Baseball America. One of those high...
With surprise September, Rogers earned shot in 2022
With surprise September, Rogers earned shot in 2022
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: JOSH ROGERS Age on opening day 2022: 27 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, June 2021 MLB service time: 1 year, 1 day 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027 2021 stats: 2-2, 3.28 ERA, 6 GS, 0 CG, 35 2/3 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 7 HR, 14 BB, 22 SO, 2 HBP, 1.290 WHIP, 124 ERA+, 5.83 FIP, 0.0 fWAR, 0.8 bWAR Quotable: "He's been awesome. He's been an unbelievable teammate. Fun to be around. Really...
What role is best for Espino and Nationals in 2022?
What role is best for Espino and Nationals in 2022?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: PAOLO ESPINO Age on opening day 2022: 35 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, November 2020 MLB service time: 1 year, 78 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027 2021 stats: 5-5, 4.27 ERA, 35 G, 19 GS, 0 CG, 1 SV, 109 2/3 IP, 108 H, 53 R, 52 ER, 19 HR, 25 BB, 92 SO, 1 HBP, 1.213 WHIP, 95 ERA+, 4.46 FIP, 1.1 fWAR, 1.0 bWAR Quotable: "When I was drafted (in 2006), I thought I was going to be in the...
After his 2021 season, what should we be making of Akin?
After his 2021 season, what should we be making of Akin?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After ending the 2020 season looking like he could be a key member of the 2021 Orioles rotation, lefty Keegan Akin was not even on the opening day roster this season. But he would eventually get to Baltimore. And partially because the minor league season didn't start until May, he wound up throwing just one game and two innings at Triple-A this year and pitching in 24 games and throwing 95 innings in the majors for the Orioles. After May 10, he never went back to the farm. Akin was one of just...
Gibbons praises Cullen as "a throwback" player
Gibbons praises Cullen as "a throwback" player
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
By assigning players to the Arizona Fall League, the Orioles can find at-bats that were missing due to various injuries. For infielder Greg Cullen, it was his hamstring that turned his promotion to Double-A Bowie into a challenge to stay on the field. Getting on base isn't an issue when he's healthy. Cullen came out of Tuesday's game with the Mesa Solar Sox due to soreness in his leg, but he received clearance the next day to resume activities. His two stops on the IL with the Baysox limited...
Source: Young will be Nats' new first base coach
Source: Young will be Nats' new first base coach
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Eric Young Jr., the former Rockies and Mets outfielder who led the National League in stolen bases eight years ago, will be the Nationals' new first base coach, a source familiar with the decision confirmed. Young, 36, hasn't officially been named to manager Davey Martinez's staff yet, but a formal announcement of the club's full 2022 coaching staff is expected in the near future. His hiring was first reported by OurEsquina.com, which learned about the news from Young's father, Braves...
Mancini, Mountcastle and Belanger honored by MLBPA (updated)
Mancini, Mountcastle and Belanger honored by MLBPA (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Though grinding through a rebuilding process that has left them with the first overall draft pick for the second time in four years, the Orioles made out wonderfully tonight in the Major League Baseball Players Association's Players Choice Awards. Trey Mancini was chosen as the American League's Comeback Player of the Year and Ryan Mountcastle was selected as Outstanding Rookie. The awards are especially meaningful to players because they're voted on by their peers. Mancini seemed to be the...
Nationals partner with FIS for new Champions Club and payment solutions to enhance the fan experience
Nationals partner with FIS for new Champions Club and payment solutions to enhance the fan experience
Doug Miller
Nationals
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., October 28, 2021 - Financial technology leader FIS® (NYSE: FIS) today announced that it is the newest partner of the Washington Nationals. As the Official Payments Technology Provider for the Washington Nationals, FIS will provide best-in-class merchant processing technology to improve the ballpark experience. The partnership also includes a renovation of the ballpark's Champions Club which features an enhanced and elevated fan experience for Nationals fans. Worldpay...
Gibbons on Diaz, Stowers and Neustrom
Gibbons on Diaz, Stowers and Neustrom
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
There are plenty of people inside the Orioles organization who are convinced that, if Yusniel Diaz could stay healthy and play in an uninterrupted stretch of games, he'd be a major league outfielder and a hitter capable of occupying a spot in the middle of the order. Diaz also has some doubters, but the argument is moot if injuries keep dragging him down. Viewed as the jewel of the 2018 Manny Machado trade with the Dodgers, Diaz left a May 9 game in Jacksonville with a right quadriceps strain...
A look at Baseball America's O's top 10 list
A look at Baseball America's O's top 10 list
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Baseball America released a new top 10 Orioles prospects list this week, and it's a strong list. There are more hitters than pitchers, with seven batters and three hurlers. The list is solid and further proof that the Orioles organization being ranked No. 1 by MLBPipeline.com and No. 2 by Baseball America seems legit. The club can and has gotten some deserved criticism for all the losses at the major league level, but the quest to build that elite talent pipeline seems very much on track. The...