Which five starters will Nats open season with?

DJ Herz

Friday’s signing of Shinnosuke Ogasawara truly came out of left field. Not only because the Nationals had never signed a free agent out of Japan (or any other Asian country). But because they didn’t seem to be in the market for another starting pitcher, at least not one who wouldn’t instantly slot into the front of the rotation, as opposed to the back.

Ogasawara, by all indications, does not project to be a frontline starter in the major leagues. He figures to get a shot to earn the fourth or fifth starter job coming out of spring training. But there’s also reasonable speculation his chances of long-term success here will increase if he becomes a reliever.

The Nats didn’t give the 27-year-old left-hander a guaranteed, two-year deal worth a reported $3.5 million, though, if they didn’t expect him to be part of the Opening Day pitching staff. And Ogasawara, whose 45-day negotiating window was set to expire Friday if he didn’t sign with any major league club, likely chose Washington because of the opportunity he’ll get here that perhaps he wasn’t guaranteed to get elsewhere.

We’re scheduled to hear from general manager Mike Rizzo this afternoon, so hopefully we’ll get a better idea then what exactly the club’s plans for Ogasawara are. But if he truly is given a chance to make the rotation, he’s going to join a crowded group of arms competing for only a couple of open spots.

Barring a trade – which, of course, you can never rule out – the Nationals will go into spring training with MacKenzie Gore and Jake Irvin assured of starting jobs, based on their performances last season. That now leaves five others, in theory, competing for three more spots in the rotation.

In a field loaded with talented shortstops, the O's Gunnar Henderson is named No. 1

Gunnar Henderson

Major League Baseball’s best shortstop, right now, is the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson. So says MLB Network during its Top Ten Right Now series that has been airing in recent days.

Well not everyone at the network feels that way but the “shredder” does which is MLB Network’s model that I presume takes all the stats and data and provides a formula for ranking the players.

It’s quite an honor when you consider who Henderson is up against.

Here is their official top 10:

1) Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles.

This, that and the other

David Rubenstein

Orioles control owner David Rubenstein spoke to Yahoo Finance this week at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He mentioned twice how the Orioles are in “pretty good shape," endorsed a salary cap and went over some of the ballpark renovations.

The club’s payroll has risen to 15th in the majors at $156 million, per Roster Resource, and we’re waiting for the outcome of Jorge Mateo’s salary figure exchange. He’s seeking $4 million and the Orioles countered at $3.1 million.

Rubenstein described the payroll as “consistent with our needs,” and added, “I don’t think anybody is not playing with the Orioles because of money reasons."

“Spending the most money doesn’t always guarantee you a World Series championship," he added, "and in fact many times people with smaller payrolls have won the World Series. I’m reasonably optimistic we’re gonna do well this year.”

Rubenstein explained how the luxury tax works, with a penalty incurred for teams going over it.

Very grateful for my time here as it comes toward an end

Steve Melewski Dylan Beavers

I was the first writer hired to work at MASNsports.com. It was, I think, late in 2007 or maybe early in 2008. It all runs together now. But there I was writing articles called blogs about the Orioles at a place that most people didn’t know even existed back then.

But I put in the time and effort then and now, too, and here I am about 17 years later still writing for MASN.

Well, at least for a few more days.

Over the years, I have gained experience and knowledge on how to write game stories and also how to re-write game stories in the last of the ninth. To write about the minors and the majors. To write about the draft, trades, waiver claims, injuries and anything and everything about the Orioles.

Even about those we lost along the way like Brooks Robinson and Mike Flanagan.

Nats sign first Japanese free agent with 2-year deal for Ogasawara

Shinnosuke Ogasawara

For the first time in club history, the Nationals have signed a player directly from Asia, announcing today a two-year deal with Japanese left-hander Shinnosuke Ogasawara.

Ogasawara was an All-Star for the Chunichi Dragons in 2023 and posted a 3.12 ERA over 144 1/3 innings last season, his ninth in Nippon Professional Baseball. The 27-year-old is not known for high strikeout totals (only 82 last season) but has proven to be an extreme strike-thrower and groundball specialist, issuing only 22 walks while allowing only nine homers.

Financial terms of the contract weren’t immediately clear, but it is a major league deal, putting Ogasawara on the Nationals’ 40-man roster. To clear space for him, the club designated left-hander Joe La Sorsa for assignment.

Though he was not as highly touted as some other recent Japanese pitchers, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, both high-profile additions by the Dodgers, Ogasawara did draw interest from a number of major league franchises. The posting deadline to sign him was today, adding some urgency to the Nats’ pursuit. Had he not signed with anyone by the end of the day, he would have gone back to the Dragons for another season.

It remains to be seen how the Nationals intend to utilize Ogasawara. Though he's been starter throughout his career in Japan, American scouting reports have suggested he could be more effective as a reliever if he can’t make it as a back-of-the-rotation arm. The team has already signed two free agents this winter, Michael Soroka and Trevor Williams, who were under the impression they’ll be starting to begin the season. MacKenzie Gore and Jake Irvin are locks to lead the staff after their performances in 2024. Young lefties DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker should also be in the mix this spring.

Nationals agree to terms with LHP Ogasawara

Nationals logo

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara on a two-year contract and designated left-handed pitcher Joe La Sorsa for assignment on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Ogasawara, 27, joins the Nationals after he pitched to a 3.12 ERA in 24 games in 2024 for the Chunichi Dragons of the the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization. He walked just 22 batters and allowed just nine home runs in 144.1 innings of work.

An NPB All-Star in 2023, the native of Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan pitched in nine seasons for Chunichi after he was selected in the first round of the 2015 NPB Draft out of Tokai University Sagami High School. He went 54-72 with a 3.67 ERA, 863 strikeouts and just 361 walks in 1098.0 innings (190 games) for the Dragons after he made his debut in 2016 as an 18-year-old.

Ogasawara represented Japan in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, helping his team to a second place finish. He went 1-0 without allowing an earned run and struck out 11 in 8.0 innings of work.

Orioles announce 2025 minors coaching staffs, player development assignments

Orioles-Logo

The Orioles today announced the club’s minor league coaching staffs and player development assignments for the 2025 season. The coaching staffs of Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Chesapeake, High-A Aberdeen, and Single-A Delmarva are listed below, along with the Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League Orioles.

Managers ROBERTO MERCADO (Chesapeake/Bowie), COLLIN WOODY (Delmarva), CHRISTIAN FRIAS (FCL Orioles), and CHRIS MADERA and ELBIS MOREL (DSL Orioles) return to their same posts, TIM FEDEROWICZ (Norfolk) joins the organization, and RYAN GOLL (Aberdeen) becomes a manager for the first time in his career.

Federowicz (pronounced fed-er-ROH-vitch) joins the organization after managing Triple-A Toledo (DET) in 2024. He served as a major league catching coach for the Detroit Tigers in 2023 and was the manager for Triple-A Tacoma (SEA) in 2022. Federowicz retired after the 2021 season following a 13-year professional career that included parts of eight in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers. The former catcher also earned a silver medal with Team USA in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Pitching Coach JUSTIN RAMSEY and Hitting Coach MIKE MONTVILLE, a former University of Maryland product, both return. Fundamentals Coach FELIPE ROJAS ALOU, JR., who has managed the last three seasons between Aberdeen and Delmarva, begins his 18th year in the organization. He will also serve as third base coach. Development Coach BILLY FACTEAU joins Norfolk from Chesapeake/Bowie. Athletic Trainer ALAN RAIL, ATC and Assistant Athletic Trainer SETH ELLANSON, ATC return in their same roles while Strength and Conditioning Coach SAM SAUER joins the Tides from Chesapeake/Bowie. ADAM SEHLMEYER returns as Norfolk’s clubhouse manager.

Mercado returns to Double-A for a second straight year. He also spent time in the Arizona Fall League in 2024 and led the Surprise Saguaros to a runner-up finish. Mercado was honored with the organization’s Cal Ripken, Sr. Player Development Award and led the IronBirds to the South Atlantic League championship series in 2022. Hitting Coach JOSH BUNSELMEYER, Fundamentals Coach CHASE SEBBY, and Athletic Trainer JULIO IBARRA, ATC return while Pitching Coach JORDIE HENRY, Strength and Conditioning Coach CHRIS FROSCH, and Development Coach CALVIN CHRISTIANSEN join the team from Delmarva. JON WEINBERG returns as clubhouse manager.

Goll transitions from development coach with Aberdeen last season to manager for the first time in his professional career. He will continue to serve as offseason camp coordinator. Goll joined the organization in 2020 after gaining valuable coaching experience with the University of Minnesota, USA Baseball, Eau Claire Express of the Northwoods League, and the Rochester John Marshall Junior Legion program. Hitting Coach ZACH COLE and Athletic Trainer TORI ATENCIO, ATC are both back with the IronBirds, while Pitching Coach JEREMY HILEMAN and Development Coach ADONIS SMITH enter their first year in the organization. Fundamentals Coach DANIEL FAJARDO, who spent eight years as a player in Baltimore’s farm system, and Strength and Conditioning Coach JUAN SANCHEZ join from Delmarva. Clubhouse Manager HERB OTTO returns.

Woody is set to manage Delmarva for a second straight year after making his managerial debut last season. He spent three seasons as an infielder in the organization from 2016-18. Hitting Coach CHRISTIAN POULSEN and Athletic Trainer GRIFFIN PYOTT, ATC return while Pitching Coach CASEY DAY shifts roles from a development coach in the FCL. Development Coach CASEY BUCKLEY has been promoted after serving as a staff assistant and bullpen catcher role the last few seasons. Fundamentals Coach LUIS SILVERIO is a newcomer to the organization. Strength and Conditioning Coach WILL REICHEL joins from the DSL. MASON GOMEZ returns as clubhouse manager.

Frias returns to manage the FCL Orioles for a fourth straight season, his sixth year in the organization. He previously worked as a coach at Wabash Valley College (IL) and the University of Rio Grande (OH), his alma mater. Frias played three professional seasons as an infielder in the Toronto Blue Jays system. Pitching Coach ADAM BLEDAY and Hitting Coach TEEGAN LEADER return, while Pitching Coach BAILEY VUYLSTEKE and Hitting Coach JAKE RATZ join the staff from the DSL. RAMÓN SAMBOLANDON LASSITER, and JAMES JOHNSON will serve as fundamentals coaches, with Lassiter returning, Sambo added from Norfolk, and Johnson transitioning from FCL staff assistant and bullpen catcher role the last couple of seasons. QUENTIN HOLMES and CADE JOHNSON join the system as development coaches. Athletic Trainer SARA PADILLA, ATC enters her fifth season in the system, while Athletic Trainer BRIANNA MOSKAL is new to the organization. Strength and Conditioning Coach GABE SANCHEZ returns while Strength and Conditioning Coach AUSTIN KUENNEN enters his first year in the role after serving as seasonal dietician last season. NATE SNYDER and MATT HENDERSON will return as clubhouse managers.

Madera and Morel return to manage in the DSL. Morel is entering his 19th year as a DSL manager while Madera begins his sixth season. Pitching Coach DIONIS PASCUAL returns, and JOHN NOWAK is a new hire as pitching coach. GEORGE BELL, son of 1987 American League MVP George Bell, will again serve as hitting coach along with JAKE WELCH, who is new to the organization. MIGUEL JABALERA returns for a 32nd season in the organization while JERRY CHAVARRIA enters his second year, both of whom will serve as fundamentals coaches. Development Coach NICK KROPIDLOWSKI is in his fourth year in the organization. MAGGIE HUNT, ATC will again serve as athletic trainer along with newcomer NATHAN KIRK. Strength and Conditioning Coach DANIEL VARGAS remains in the same role. Equipment Manager JOSE FRIAS returns.

Overseeing one of the top farm systems in all of baseball are Vice President, Player Development and Domestic Scouting MATT BLOOD, who enters his second season in the role and his sixth season with the Orioles, Director of Minor League Operations KENT QUALLS, returning for his 13th season in the position, and Director of Player Development ANTHONY VILLA, who enters his second year in the role and sixth in the organization. FORREST HERRMANN was promoted to director of pitching development. Upper-Level Hitting Coordinator SHERMAN JOHNSON was named assistant hitting coach on the MLB staff in November. Lower-Level Hitting Coordinator BRINK AMBLER, Coordinator of Minor League Operations RAMÓN ALARCÓN, Education Coordinator ANAÍMA GARCÍA, Dominican Academy Administrator RANCEL ROSADO, Latin America Pitching Coordinator ANDERSON TAVAREZ, Latin America Coordinator of Instruction SAMUEL VEGA, who won the 2024 Cal Ripken, Sr. Player Development AwardMinor League Field Coordinator JEFF KUNKEL, and Manager of Player Development, Complexes JACKSON McDONNELL all return in their roles. Infield Coordinator TIM DeJOHN returns for his fourth season in the organization. Pitching Coordinator ADAM SCHUCK and Senior Manager of Baseball Technology and Initiatives JOE BOTELHO were both promoted. Player Development Hitting Analyst RICHARD COSGROVE shifts from FCL development coach. Minor League Hitting Coordinator DALTON HURD and Complex Pitching Development Coordinator CORY POPHAM join the organization. SCOTT STANSBURY, ATC continues as minor league medical coordinator with AJ CANO, ATC moving to assistant minor league medical coordinator. BYRON CAMPBELL moves to senior organizational physical therapist. ALBERT NAVARRO and SAMANTHA SWACKHAMMER join the organization as international medical coordinator and minor league physical therapist, respectively. NICK WHITE returns as head of strength and performance, leading the minor league strength and conditioning team, which includes newly promoted Director WILL ALLI. Rehab Strength Coordinator and Conditioning Coordinator BRANDON FARISH, Biomechanist JOEY MYLOTT, Human Performance Coach ALEJANDRO MACARIO, and Mental Skills Coach DIAMYN HALL all return in their same roles, along with Sports Scientist ISAAC LOPEZ, who was seasonal last year. Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator JON MEDICI transitions to the role from Norfolk. JULIO DIAZ will serve as Latin America strength and conditioning coordinator. ELENA GOMEZ and VICTORIA PEREZ will return as teachers. Minor League Equipment Manager JAKE PARKER returns for his 16th season.

Goll named Aberdeen manager, rest of Orioles minor league coaching staff announced

Baseballs generic

The Orioles announced their 2025 minor league coaching staffs and player development assignments, with lots of shuffling and an outside hire at Triple-A Norfolk.

As reported earlier, Tim Federowicz was named manager of the Tides after serving in the same role last summer at Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers system. Ryan Goll will be a first-time manager at High-A Aberdeen, with Felipe Rojas Alou Jr. moving up to development coach at Norfolk.

Federowicz replaces Buck Britton, who was promoted to major league coach. Alou replaces Ramón Sambo, who’s now a fundamentals coach in the Florida Complex League.

Goll, 28, has served as a development coach for four years, including last year with the IronBirds, and is responsible for coordinating the offseason minor league camps.

Sherman Johnson is upper-level hitting coordinator and also one of the new assistant hitting coaches with the Orioles.

One more take on Roki Sasaki and looking at Santander's Rogers Centre numbers

Anthony Santander

When Japanese right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki signed as an international amateur with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball’s defending World Series winners got a top pitcher for a very modest signing amount.

The rich got richer.

That angered some fans who speculated that the Dodgers had some sort of handshake agreement to add Sasaki all along. I don’t know about that, but the industry seemed to expect the Dodgers to get him months ago and they did.

What troubled me about the team recruitment of Sasaki was his “homework assignment” for various clubs during the recruiting process. What he asked teams to do before meeting with him. And that was to assess why his fastball lost some velocity in Japan during the 2024 season and how they would fix that.

I don’t know how many teams completed their homework assignment, but clearly some teams went deep into possibly helping the pitcher fix his fastball and did not even get him on their team. That sounds to me like Sasaki and his camp crossed a line here or pushed an envelope a step or two too far. Tell me how I can be better so I can take that to my new team and stay good, he seemed to be saying.

House, Lomavita, Susana among prospects invited to MLB camp

Brady House 2023 Futures Game

The names aren’t quite as notable as a year ago, when several of the top prospects in baseball made their spring training debuts for the Nationals, but this year’s crop of non-roster invitees does include some intriguing young players who figure to be part of the organization’s future (some sooner than others).

The Nats announced 17 players not currently on the 40-man roster who will participate in major league camp beginning next month, headlined by third baseman Brady House, catcher Caleb Lomavita and pitcher Jarlin Susana.

This will be House’s second spring with the big leaguers, but the 21-year-old’s first real opportunity to show the organization he’s close to big-league-ready. The Nationals’ 2021 first round pick got a token look last spring before heading to Double-A Harrisburg. He finished the season at Triple-A Rochester, batting .241 with 19 homers and 66 RBIs in 129 combined games between the two affiliates.

Team officials haven’t definitively said if House has a chance to make the Opening Day roster, but they also haven’t acquired any starting third base candidates this winter. For now, the alternatives to House are Jose Tena, Trey Lipscomb and veteran utilityman Amed Rosario.

House won’t be the only third base prospect in camp. He’ll be joined in West Palm Beach, Fla., by 2023 second round pick Yohandy Morales (who also plays first base) and Cayden Wallace (who was acquired from the Royals last summer for reliever Hunter Harvey) and could be close to big-league ready himself.

More memories of Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz

Brian Matusz

A memorial service will be held later this morning for former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Glendale, Ariz. Teammates and the friends made through his years in baseball are gathering to celebrate his life.

That’s how they want to treat the day. To smile through the tears and to remember and share the many stories. To comfort and console.

Matusz, the fourth-overall pick in the 2008 draft out of the University of San Diego who appeared in 280 games in eight seasons, passed away on Jan. 6 at his home in Phoenix. He was only 37.

The Orioles turned Matusz into a lefty specialist out of the bullpen and he posted ERAs of 3.53, 3.48 and 2.94 in a combined 186 games from 2013-15. He made one start for the Cubs in 2016 and received a World Series ring. Attempts to extend his career took him to Triple-A Reno, Mexico and the independent Atlantic League, his last innings pitched in 2019.

Matusz was the bullpen coach for Baseball New Zealand in the 2022 World Baseball Classic, a final chance to remain close to the sport that he loved.

Roansy Contreras claimed off waivers by Yankees

Orioles-Jacket-Logos

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

  • RHP Roansy Contreras claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees

Nationals announce 2025 spring training non-roster invitees

Nats spring training generic

The Washington Nationals announced their 2025 Spring Training non-roster invitees on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

RHP: Daison Acosta, Joan Adon, Marquis Grissom Jr., Clay Helvey, Brad Lord, Jack Sinclair, Tyler Stuart, Jarlin Susana

LHP: Konnor Pilkington

C: Andrew Knizner, Caleb Lomavita, Max Romero Jr.

INF: Brady House, Yohandy Morales, Cayden Wallace

Better, same or worse in 2025: Pitchers

MacKenzie Gore

Yesterday, we looked at the Nationals’ projected position players and tried to decide if they figure to get better, worse or the same production from each spot this year as they got last year. While the overall outlook for a top-tier lineup doesn’t exactly look great, it does appear to be better in most spots, including a few key positions.

Now, what about the pitching staff? It’s probably not fair to run this exercise yet, because there are still several significant holes to fill in the bullpen. But we don’t know when (or if) that will happen for certain, so all we can do is evaluate the state of things in their current form.

What’s the outlook? Is the 2025 Nats pitching staff likely to be better, worse or the same as it was in 2024? …

NO. 1 STARTER: Slightly better, maybe much better
We don’t know at this point who the Opening Day starter will be, but let’s say it’s MacKenzie Gore. He had the lowest ERA (3.91) and the most strikeouts (181) on the staff last season while also tying for the team lead in wins (10). Is that as good as the left-hander is going to get? The feeling here is no. Gore has long been touted as a frontline big league starter, and while we’ve seen stretches of that from him, we’re still waiting for him to put it all together over a full year. Here’s why he may be ready to make that leap: While he was excellent in his 10 wins last season (1.98 ERA), he was considerably better in his 12 losses (5.37 ERA) than he was the previous year (7.71 ERA). We know Gore is outstanding when he’s at his best. The key for him now is to just be OK when he’s not at his best, not letting starts blow up on him. He showed improvement in that area last season, and there’s reason to believe he can continue to get better this season.

NO. 2 STARTER: Same, maybe better
Jake Irvin was one of the most positive developments of the 2024 season, with 10 wins, 187 2/3 innings pitched and a strong 1.199 WHIP. Like Gore, he was really good when he was at his best (1.61 ERA in wins, 2.59 ERA in no-decisions) but really bad when he wasn’t at his best (8.28 ERA in 14 losses). Can he reduce the number of those bad starts, or at least pitch a bit better in those games? If he can, Irvin has a chance to be better overall this season. Even if he doesn’t, he can be a solid workhorse for this team.

O's get three players on the Baseball America top 100 listing of MLB's best prospects

Coby Mayo

After trading numerous prospects over the last year or two and graduating others to the big leagues to help a team contend for the last two seasons, the O’s farm system has, predictably, taken a bit of a hit.

They no longer are the No. 1 ranked farm after a long run at the top and for now it seems, their days of populating top 100 lists up and down the rankings, may be limited for now.

In the latest initial release of the Baseball America top 100 prospects poll – the 2025 version of the ranking which first came out in 1990 – the Orioles have three players ranked in the top 100.

Catcher Samuel Basallo, who was No. 10 this time last year, is ranked No. 14. Coby Mayo, No. 25 this time last year, is ranked No. 29 and Heston Kjerstad, No. 41 on the list last January, is now No. 81. Basallo, age 20, is the highest-rated catcher on the BA top 100.

There was a time when three top 100 ranked players was an upgrade for the Orioles, who had two players ranked in 2015, none in 2016 and one in 2017.

Orioles getting closer to newcomers arriving in camp

Gary Sanchez Brewers

The first workout for pitchers and catchers is in three weeks. Players will take their physicals and head outdoors. The newcomers will get acclimated to a different city, camp and group of teammates.

Fortunately for them, it’s always a welcoming bunch. Foes become family in this organization.

The media will begin building a working relationship with backup catcher Gary Sánchez, who signed for $8.5 million on Dec. 10. The guys throwing to him will do the same.

“I loved the move,” major league field coordinator and catching instructor Tim Cossins said on WBAL-Radio’s Hot Stove Show. “I’ve known Gary from across the field for a long time and I’ve always been looking forward to an opportunity to potentially work with him at one point, and that’s going to happen. I’ve talked to him several times and I think he’s a good player and I think he could help this team, and I can’t wait to get to work with him.”

Reliever Andrew Kittredge is signed for a guaranteed $10 million this season. He gives the Orioles a high-leverage reliever for the late innings.

Orioles announce all new Birdland Value Menu at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Generic-Team-Store

The expanded menu features 11 items $5 or less

The Orioles today, along with their hospitality partner Brick & Whistle, operated by Levy, and beverage partner Coca-Cola Consolidated, announced their new Birdland Value Menu, which will be offered throughout the ballpark in 2025. The menu will feature more than 12 items, including adult beverages.

“Our fans are the heart and soul of this organization. By offering more affordable food and beverage options, we are directly reflecting our commitment to them,” said CATIE GRIGGS, President of Business Operations for the Orioles. “We want Oriole Park at Camden Yards to be a welcoming place where all fans can feel at home and have a great time. We believe these changes will greatly enhance the overall fan experience, allowing everyone to create the experience that best fits their needs.”

Fans will be able to purchase the items at various locations throughout Oriole Park, including along the main concourse and in the Upper Deck. In addition to food items like hot dogs, pretzel bites, and nachos, the Birdland Value Menu will also feature a refillable soda cup that can be used at new fan-facing Coca-Cola fountain machines located in the concourses, select beers, non-alcoholic beers, and seltzers. Fans will still be permitted to bring in outside food and beverage, in accordance with the Orioles gameday guidelines, which can be found at Orioles.com/Guide.

The Orioles continue to make it a priority to make Oriole Park one of the most family friendly ballparks throughout Major League Baseball. With tickets available for as low as $15, their Kids Cheer Free Program, sponsored by Baltimore Area Chick-fil-A Restaurants, and the addition of the Birdland Value Menu, a family of four can enjoy an Orioles game for less than $100.

Better, worse or the same in 2025: Position players

CJ Abrams

Spring training, believe it or not, starts three weeks from today when pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach, Fla. It’s hard to believe that, because it feels like the Nationals still have plenty of work to do between now and then, with a roster that still includes several glaring holes.

Maybe there are moves to come between now and Feb. 12. Or maybe there are moves to come after camp begins, as we’ve seen in several recent years. Regardless, we’re close enough now to start looking at the roster as currently constructed and wonder how it will compare with the one we saw in 2024.

The Nats’ goal – every team’s goal, for that matter – is to field a better team this season than last season. That can be accomplished through additions from the outside. It can also be accomplished by improvement from within. In this case, the Nationals are going to need both to come true if they want to make a necessary leap from back-to-back, 71-win seasons and approach (or even surpass) the coveted 81-win mark.

Are they positioned to pull that off? Let’s go position by position, determining if they should be better, worse or the same at each spot in 2025 …

CATCHER: Slightly better
The Nationals didn’t get nearly enough last season out of their catchers, who combined to bat .229 with a .269 on-base percentage, 16 homers and 63 RBIs. Keibert Ruiz, of course, was the primary culprit because he played the most games. But Riley Adams was a big disappointment as well, and Drew Millas didn’t show a whole lot when he got his opportunities after Adams was demoted to Triple-A. The Nats need improvement all around here, and it almost certainly has to come from within. Ruiz remains the No. 1 catcher, and there will be real pressure on him to be better in every way. You’d like to believe that’s more likely than a repeat performance from 2024.

If the O's could see Tyler O'Neill duplicate his 2024, they'd probably run with it

Tyler O'Neil

Sure, there are durability questions about Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill, a player they signed via free agency in December. But last year he took 473 plate appearances to rank fifth-most on the Boston Red Sox and the O’s would probably take that and run with it right now.

Especially with his 2024 stats.

Over 113 games – his most since 2021 – O’Neill hit .241/.336/.511/.847 with 18 doubles, 31 homers, 74 runs and 61 RBIs. He posted an 11.2 walk percentage and 33.6 strikeout percentage.

Among the 2024 Orioles, only Anthony Santander and Gunnar Henderson out-homered him. Among 2024 O’s with 100 or more plate appearances, only Henderson (.893) topped him in OPS. Only Santander and Henderson exceeded his OPS+ of 132.

After he produced a .700 OPS in 2022 and .715 in 2023, O’Neill put up his best numbers since 2021 last year. That season, when he finished eighth for the NL MVP with St. Louis, he hit 34 homers, had a .912 OPS and produced 6.1 Wins Above Replacement per baseball-reference.com that was fifth among all NL position players.

Leftovers for breakfast

Anthony Santander

Andrew Kittredge is familiar with many of the Orioles from his seven seasons pitching for the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. He grew close to new starter Charlie Morton while they were teammates, and they’ll be reunited in Baltimore.

Kittredge signed his one-year contract that guarantees $10 million and includes an option for 2026 after Morton agreed to a one-year deal for $15 million. Ten days separated the transactions.

“Just a fierce competitor,” Kittredge said of Morton during yesterday’s video call with local media. “Charlie is all business when it comes to baseball. I have a really good memory of a Wild Card game that he pitched in in Oakland. I think it was 2019, and just that atmosphere there in Oakland was electric. It was one of the loudest places I had been at that time in my career, and it was just fun to watch him compete and almost seemingly just kind of outcompete his opponent. But that's what he brings.

“He's intense but he’s focused and he's a great guy to have in the clubhouse. He's a little quieter, he's a little reserved, but when he speaks it kind of speaks volumes. So he's a great guy to have around for leadership, but also just someone who's been there and been doing it for a really long time.”

Kittredge was an All-Star in 2021 and finished with a 1.88 ERA and 0.977 WHIP in 57 games before his Tommy John surgery. The Mariners drafted him in the 45th round in 2008 and couldn’t sign him, but they got him as an amateur free agent three years later. He was traded to the Rays in November 2016, became a free agent and signed with them in December 2020.