Roch Kubatko

A little more on Mateo

October 21, 2021, 5:19pm

Orioles

No one is handing a job in 2022 to the batch of Orioles in-house infield candidates beyond first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, which pretty much makes for a typical offseason in the rebuild. I'm confident that they'll sign at least one free agent, and perhaps to a major league deal. They could make another waiver claim, as they did with second baseman Yolmer SÃ¡nchez. Perhaps this time they'll keep him beyond spring training. I've made RamÃ³n UrÃas a heavy favorite to stay with the...

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Another look at players in the fall instructional league camp

October 20, 2021, 1:34pm

Orioles

Another look at players in the fall instructional league camp

The fall instructional league camp is entering its fourth day down in Sarasota, Fla., more activity at the Ed Smith Stadium complex before pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 15. Here are a few more participants who caught my eye when the Orioles shared their list with the media: * They loaded up their camp roster with 17 of the 2021 draft picks, and they included outfielder/first baseman Billy Cook, a 10th-rounder out of Pepperdine University. Cook, 22, led the West Coast...

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Catching up on the Orioles' plans behind the plate

October 19, 2021, 11:23am

Orioles

The clock keeps ticking on Adley Rutschman, and the sound of it can drown out a 747. A one-one makes more noise. Rutschman is going to play in the majors in 2022, but Orioles fans want to know whether he breaks camp with the team or returns to Triple-A Norfolk, where he appeared in 43 games last summer and batted .312/.405/.490 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 20 RBIs. He threw out runners attempting to steal second and third base. He handled the pitching staff with a maturity...

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More on the Orioles' fall instructional camp

October 18, 2021, 4:20pm

Orioles

The Orioles released the names of the 50 players invited to their fall instructional league camp in Sarasota, Fla. An interesting mix that highlights the organization's commitment to the amateur draft and international market - two of the most powerful fuels to get the rebuild moving in the right direction. What did we learn from the names on the roster and accompanying information? * Players recovering from injuries or surgeries are progressing to the point where they can be participants in...

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anthony servideo anthony villa billy cook buck britton carlos bavera carter baumler coby mayo collin burns colton cowser connor norby connor pavolony creed willems dave schmidt donta' williams dylan heid felix bautista garrett stallings heston kjerstad hudson haskin jacob teter jean pinto joey ortiz john rhodes jordan westburg justin armbruester keagan gillies kyle brnovich mike elias orioles peter van loon reed trimble ryan fuller ryan higgins trendon craig zach peek fall instructional league orioles farm report frontstory_orioles3

Orioles open fall instructional camp in Sarasota

October 18, 2021, 6:46am

Orioles

The Orioles begin their fall instructional league camp this morning in Sarasota, Fla., and players gathering at the Ed Smith Stadium complex include 19 that MLBPipeline.com ranks among the top 30 prospects in the organization. One of the headliners is outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the second-overall pick in the 2020 draft who hasn't been able to play since his diagnosis of myocarditis following his selection. He's been taking batting practice and is now cleared for an increase in baseball...

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Defense doesn't deserve diminished attention in offseason

October 17, 2021, 10:38am

Orioles

Defense doesn't deserve diminished attention in offseason

Many of the Orioles' 2021 statistics won't be shocking when plucked from the team's season summary, but finishing with the third-highest fielding percentage in the American League at .987 and the sixth-highest in the majors is an unexpected nugget. Upgrading the defense must remain a priority, as it's been in past winters. The Orioles claimed former Gold Glove winner Yolmer SÃ¡nchez off waivers Oct. 30 to play second base, but he didn't make it out of camp and they decided to experiment...

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Orioles facing many more 40-man moves

October 16, 2021, 7:39am

Orioles

The early work on the Orioles' 40-man roster consisted of one move that probably didn't require hours of study, deliberation and angst. The team likes Travis Lakins Sr. Manager Brandon Hyde talked about the reliever's recovery from elbow surgery and the likelihood that he'd be ready for spring training. But it made no sense to move Lakins from the 60-day injured list to a 40-man roster that requires heavy cuts. A chain saw rather than a pocket knife. Teams figured to pass on Lakins after he...

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This, that and the other

October 15, 2021, 2:02pm

Orioles

Becoming the first Orioles player with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season should be the most impressive achievement for Cedric Mullins in 2021, but discussions on his breakout year inevitably circle back to how he abandoned switch-hitting and experienced left-on-left success. It blows away everyone who talks about it. I've had scouts, in the middle of a chat, bring up what Mullins did against left-handed pitching and how unusual it was to make that decision. To choose one side...

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Orioles lose Burdi on waivers and outright Lakins

October 14, 2021, 1:59pm

Orioles

The Orioles began work this afternoon on a 40-man roster that must undergo significant changes to accommodate injured players and prospects eligible for the Rule 5 draft. One spot opened up when reliever Zack Burdi was put on waivers and claimed today by the Diamondbacks. The 40-man now holds 39 players. Burdi was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 30 and made his lone appearance with the Orioles on Sept. 6, tossing a scoreless inning against the Royals. He was optioned the next day. The...

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Three more injuries ruin another season for Hunter Harvey

October 14, 2021, 6:51am

Orioles

Three more injuries ruin another season for Hunter Harvey

The latest injury appeared like so many others in Hunter Harvey's professional life. Without warning and with total disregard for what he's endured since the Orioles drafted him in the first round and predicted greatness. Harvey was working through his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk after recovering from a strained right latissimus dorsi. The Orioles transferred him to the 60-day injured list on Sept. 7, a paper move to create space on the 40-man roster. He was eligible to return any...

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Harvey on Rutschman: "Ain't no joke with him. He's got everything"

October 13, 2021, 10:11am

Orioles

Harvey on Rutschman: "Ain't no joke with him. He's got everything"

In December 2020, the Orioles signed Nick Ciuffo to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training as their annual move to improve their catching depth and increase competition for the backup job. Only, in this instance, they didn't target the typical veteran experience. They signed Bryan Holaday and Taylor Davis to minor league deals on the same day in January 2020. They broke camp with JesÃºs Sucre and Pedro Severino in 2019. Austin Wynns was on the injured list. He could be...

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adley rutschman austin wynns gary kendall hunter harvey kennie steenstra nick ciuffo orioles paul fry pedro severino kyle stowers featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Fry on struggles, confidence, why Rays had his number, more

October 12, 2021, 3:56pm

Orioles

Fry on struggles, confidence, why Rays had his number, more

The truest reset for Paul Fry didn't start until he returned to his Michigan home. Fry never got back to Camden Yards after the Orioles optioned him following another disastrous outing against the Rays on Aug. 29. He figured to make a pit stop at Triple-A Norfolk, with a few scoreless appearances leading to his recall, but his command remained an issue until time ran out. The left-hander registered a 1.78 ERA in his first 26 appearances and briefly served as closer, but he had a 11.05 ERA over...

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Another look at arbitration-eligible Orioles

October 11, 2021, 11:48am

Orioles

The Orioles must tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players by Dec. 2, assuming they can conduct business on that date. The collective bargaining agreement expires the previous day. I yearn for the days when CBA made me think "Continental Basketball Association." Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has decisions pending on eight players - Trey Mancini, Anthony Santander, John Means, Jorge LÃ³pez, Pedro Severino, Pat Valaika, Paul Fry and Tanner Scott....

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The rise and fall of Valdez and Plutko

October 10, 2021, 4:32pm

Orioles

The Orioles already made a few decisions on their minor league free agents, bringing back outfielder Cristopher CÃ©spedes and pitchers Ofelky Peralta and Nick Vespi. Other moves will be sprinkled into their offseason, with some bigger names in the industry likely to compete for jobs on minor league deals with invitations to spring training. Like the past winter when the Orioles signed starters FÃ©lix HernÃ¡ndez, Matt Harvey and Wade LeBlanc. Relievers Adam Plutko and CÃ©sar Valdez...

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adam plutko brandon hyde cesar valdez cole sulser cristopher cespedes dean kremer keegan akin matt harvey nick vespi ofelky peralta orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

This, that and the other

October 09, 2021, 11:02am

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...

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Because You Asked - The Return of the King

October 08, 2021, 10:44am

Orioles

Because You Asked - The Return of the King

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

October 08, 2021, 9:57am

Orioles

Mullins chosen as finalist for Hank Aaron Award

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 PÃ©rez and the Indians'...

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New CBA and old rotation concerns inhabit O's offseason

October 06, 2021, 2:59pm

Orioles

New CBA and old rotation concerns inhabit O's offseason

The Orioles can make plans and create lists and envision how to properly operate their offseason, but the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement sits on their shoulders. Never removed or forgotten. It's potential influence, a constant presence. A new CBA must be negotiated after Dec. 1. The first face-to-face session between Major League Baseball and union officials was held in August and included a proposal for a revised service time arrangement for arbitration-eligible...

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Alan Mills thanks fans "for embracing me"

October 06, 2021, 10:29am

Orioles

Alan Mills thanks fans "for embracing me"

The Orioles could be busier reconstructing the minor league side of the operation than the majors, with a bunch of hires and shuffling in the cards. At this point, we know they need a new Triple-A manager and pitching coach, hitting coaches at Single-A Aberdeen and Delmarva, and a manager for one of the Rookie-level Florida Complex League entries. There could be other changes that haven't been revealed. Buck Britton is expected to move up to Norfolk, which would create a vacancy at Double-A...

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Stowers and Diaz headline Orioles entries in Arizona Fall League

October 06, 2021, 8:19am

Orioles

The Orioles will have eight players representing the organization with the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. Pitchers Cameron Bishop, Logan Gillaspie, Conner Loeprich and Nick Vespi, catcher Ramon Rodriguez, infielder Greg Cullen, and outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Kyle Stowers will play for Mesa. Rodriguez is on the taxi squad. Triple-A Norfolk hitting coach Tim Gibbons will serve in the same capacity with the Solar Sox. The first game is Wednesday, Oct. 13. The annual Fall Stars Game...