Colton Cowser posted .982 OPS in first pro season
Colton Cowser posted .982 OPS in first pro season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
While the Orioles were encouraged by the performance of several hitters in their minor league system, especially players at higher levels who had big years, including Adley Rutschman, Kyle Stowers and Jordan Westburg, the group coming behind this group also made its mark during the 2021 season. We are talking mostly about the 2021 draft class headed by outfielder Colton Cowser, selected No. 5 overall in round one in July out of Sam Houston State. Most of the draft picks got their feet wet in...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The statistics are the first points of reference when critiquing the Orioles pitching staff this season. Eyes are drawn to a 5.84 ERA that's the highest in club history, the 258 home runs allowed that also led the majors. But there's more to the story. Manager Brandon Hyde will preach the urgency to upgrade and how a team can't compete in the American League East with these deficiencies. But he also will place an asterisk beside these numbers and explain the complications in fully judging...
How should we feel about former Nats in the postseason?
How should we feel about former Nats in the postseason?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals aren't participating in the 2021 postseason. And yet, everywhere you look, you find folks with Nationals connections that stir up all kinds of emotions inside you. Really, they're everywhere. There's Kyle Schwarber hitting Schwarbombs for the Red Sox. Lucas Giolito dealing for the White Sox. Dusty Baker managing the Astros. Mike Maddux coaching the Cardinals pitching staff. Blake Treinen coming out of the bullpen and Steven Souza Jr. coming off the bench for the Dodgers. And,...
It's a special anniversary in Birdland
It's a special anniversary in Birdland
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It happened 55 years ago today at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. The Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 to complete a four-game World Series sweep built on stunning pitching. The Orioles used just three starters and four pitchers total in the entire series to vanquish the National League champions, who were led by ace pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. But it was the Baltimore quartet of Dave McNally, Moe Drabowsky, Wally Bunker and Jim Palmer that pitched the Orioles to the first of...
Because You Asked - The Return of the King
Because You Asked - The Return of the King
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first mailbag of the 2021 offseason is upon us. Keep breathing normally and suspending disbelief. Many topics are impossible to answer on this date - and some are impossible on any date - but I'm not above fudging it like a Keebler cookie. What's important is that you keep asking and I keep answering and you keep ignoring my responses and asking again and I discover a new sequel. Also important is that I remain a mailbag rebel. Let the length overflow. Let the lack of style be our...
Mullins chosen as finalist for Hank Aaron Award
Mullins chosen as finalist for Hank Aaron Award
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Cedric Mullins couldn't ease into the offseason without receiving another honor for his breakout 2021 campaign. Mullins is counted among seven nominees in the American League for the Hank Aaron Award, presented annually to the best offensive player. The winner will be announced during the World Series. Mullins is joined by the Angels' Shohei Ohtani, the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Yankees' Aaron Judge, the Athletics' Matt Olson, the Royals' Salvador Pérez and the Indians'...
Nats must start turning draft picks into quality big leaguers
Nats must start turning draft picks into quality big leaguers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
At the crux of the Nationals' decision to trade away eight veterans and begin a franchise rebuilding project this summer was an acknowledgment by the front office that its farm system desperately needed to be restocked. Had their system been filled with more prospects who could step in and take over when veterans either got hurt or saw their skills fade, the Nats might well have stayed the course and made an attempt to continue winning now instead of shifting focus to the future. But that...
Will new CBA impact draft order, plus more notes
Will new CBA impact draft order, plus more notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Only 20 times since 1901 has a big league team lost 110 or more games in a single season. Two teams did that this year - the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Orioles. You lose that much, you have earned the No. 1 draft pick. But Arizona, thanks to a walk-off homer on the season's final day, is not going to get one next year. That is, barring something in the new collective bargaining agreement that changes that. When teams tie for a spot in the draft - in this case the No. 1 pick - the previous...
Defensive drop-off after trade deadline hurt Nationals
Defensive drop-off after trade deadline hurt Nationals
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals entered the 2021 season determined to be a better defensive club after ranking last in the majors in that department during the previous, pandemic-shortened season. And in late July, a quick glance at the sport's defensive rankings showed they indeed had achieved that goal. On the morning of July 30, the Nationals as a team ranked sixth in Defensive Runs Saved, a massive improvement from 2020. Of course, by the end of that day, their roster looked nothing like it did 24 hours...
More hardware for Grayson Rodriguez, plus other notes
More hardware for Grayson Rodriguez, plus other notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
More honors were announced Wednesday for the Orioles' top two prospects, catcher Adley Rutschman and pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. They keep adding hardware after each had very strong full seasons after missing minor league game action for the 2020 season due to the pandemic. Rodriguez was named the Pitcher of the Year for the Double-A Northeast and Rutschman was named the No. 1 major league prospect in the league. Both also made the league's postseason All-Star team. Earlier, they were ranked...