Steve Melewski

As teams interview managerial candidates, the O's are on deck

October 09, 2018, 8:24pm

Orioles

As teams interview managerial candidates, the O's are on deck

We assume - and very likely assume correctly - that the Orioles will not begin interviewing for their open managing position until they hire a new general manager or someone with those duties and another title. But other clubs are also in the market for new managers, and they have been moving along with the process of hiring a new skipper. The Cincinnati Reds have been very active. Per MLBTradeRumors.com, the Reds have interviewed interim manager Jim Riggleman and a few of his staff, including...

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Looks like it's time for Orioles to step up their analytics game

October 08, 2018, 8:14pm

Orioles

In this baseball age of Statcast, analytics and the explosion of data everywhere, the hope would be that Orioles players have had access to anything that players from Boston, New York or any other team have had access to. But maybe they don't. This comes from the players themselves and it's not good. "It's been 20-fold (with increased analytics) since coming over here,'' Kevin Gausman told MASNsports.com's Mel Antonen for this article in early August. "We've talked about analytics,...

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For the Orioles, where will accountability factor in?

October 07, 2018, 7:12pm

Orioles

The dictionary defines accountability as "the fact or condition of being accountable." That probably doesn't help us much. For baseball purposes, I define it as a player taking blame/responsibility and pointing the finger at himself when he messes up. In the Orioles clubhouse in 2018, we saw many examples of players who were accountable. Trey Mancini led the league, probably. Alex Cobb always fell on the sword if he didn't pitch well. There were plenty of examples of others doing so. Over...

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The Orioles' minor league All-Stars for 2018

October 06, 2018, 8:17pm

Orioles

Today's let's take a look at some of the Orioles minor leaguers that had the most productive seasons in 2018. Presenting one man's version of the Orioles' minor league All-Stars for this year. This is not a listing simply of the best prospects, but the players who produced the best at each position. In some cases it's clear cut and in some it's not. 1B Aderlin Rodriguez: Rodriguez hit two homers and drove in seven runs on the final day of the season for Double-A Bowie to cap off a third...

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Is it time for some tweaks to the MLB playoff format?

October 05, 2018, 7:08pm

Orioles

Is it time for some tweaks to the MLB playoff format?

When the American League playoffs began Wednesday night with the wild card game, a team that won 100 games hosted a team that won 97. While that was going on, a team that won 91 games was home resting, waiting to play in a best-of-five series while avoiding the pressure of a one-game season. So, is that fair? For me, it isn't. Boston led all AL playoff teams, winning 108 games, followed by Houston with 103, the Yankees with 100, Oakland with 97 and Cleveland with 91. The Indians won the...

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Quick takes on bullpenning, starting pitchers and Victor Victor

October 04, 2018, 8:12pm

Orioles

Quick takes on bullpenning, starting pitchers and Victor Victor

A few quick takes now that the Orioles' search for a new general manager and manager is on and the Major League playoffs are underway: The A's used an opener and lost: We can't dismiss the use of an opener or the Oakland A's using a bullpen game in the American League wild card game just because Oakland lost. If they had a top starter like Kyle Freeland, Chris Sale, Luis Severino or Jon Lester, they probably don't go with a bullpen game. But by doing so they were going with a strength. The...

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What should the Orioles look for in a new GM and manager?

October 03, 2018, 8:46pm

Orioles

The rebuilding of the Orioles moved from the clubhouse to the dugout and front office yesterday with the news - made official last night - that Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter will not return for the 2019 season. The Orioles' baseball operations will have a new leader, new voice and a new vision at some point this offseason. The team's press release last night stated this: "The club will hire an executive from outside of the organization to lead the Baseball Operations department. Once in...

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Appreciating Buck Showalter: He turned a losing team into a winner (updated)

October 03, 2018, 9:59am

Orioles

Appreciating Buck Showalter: He turned a losing team into a winner (updated)

As the news came out this afternoon that Buck Showalter would not continue as the Orioles' manager, it was not unexpected. And, as of this writing, we still have not heard official word from the team. But as reported here, Showalter met twice with ownership representatives in the last few days and this morning was told he would not be back as manager. He will not return in any role with the Orioles. Showalter's legacy is simply this: He was a key person, maybe the key person, in turning a...

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Orioles' DL Hall is No. 1 prospect in South Atlantic League

October 02, 2018, 3:53pm

Orioles

At a time when the Orioles were last among all teams this year in Major League Baseball, they can at least say that one of their young pitchers ranked as the best in his league in 2018. Baseball America released its list of the top 20 prospects in the Single-A South Atlantic League this season on Tuesday. Delmarva Shorebirds pitcher DL Hall was ranked No. 1. Hall was the Orioles' first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in the 2017 draft out of a Georgia high school. The 19-year-old lefty went 2-7...

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After dealing with his own struggles, Mancini wants to lead O's back to respectability

October 01, 2018, 8:16pm

Orioles

After dealing with his own struggles, Mancini wants to lead O's back to respectability

Among all the interviews I had with Orioles players this year, probably the most compelling to me was one that occurred in the Baltimore clubhouse on July 12. Just days ahead of the All-Star break, Trey Mancini poured his heart out about the rough season he was having - and he didn't hold back. At the time, Mancini was 1-for-21 over his previous nine games and that dropped his slash line over 88 games to .220/.296/.362. It was well off his 2017 season, when he finished third in the American...

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Mancini and Mullins on Jones, plus a few final notes

September 30, 2018, 8:43pm

Orioles

Mancini and Mullins on Jones, plus a few final notes

It was a season where not a lot went right for the Orioles, but on the final day, almost nothing went wrong. The Orioles pitched well, they got clutch hits, they made some plays in the field. And most importantly, they sent Adam Jones off in impressive fashion. Before the game, Jones gave bats and balls to fans. During the game they returned the love. From Jones running to center field all by himself before first pitch, to his exit from right field for a sendoff in the ninth inning, the fans...

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Adam Jones: "Very appreciative and humbled that people care"

September 30, 2018, 3:03pm

Orioles

Adam Jones: "Very appreciative and humbled that people care"

After what was likely his final game as an Oriole, outfielder Adam Jones talked about the unique experience of taking the field today on his own. He was in the lineup in center field and charged out for the national anthem. His teammates stayed behind so Jones could take in cheers that came both from fans and teammates alike. "That was weird because I'm never on the field all by myself," Jones said. "Kind of weird but very appreciative of my teammates for acknowledging my hard work and...

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Orioles blank Astros to win season finale

September 30, 2018, 1:35pm

Orioles

The Orioles lost a lot of games during the 2018 season. But they didn't lose their last one. They used a four-run fourth and got a combined three-pitcher shutout today as they blanked Houston 4-0 in front of 24,916 at Oriole Park. On the final day, Jimmy Yacabonis, Paul Fry and Mychal Givens threw a combined one-hitter. The Orioles recorded their seventh shutout. Fry picked up his first major league win. The Orioles end the 2018 season with a record of 47-115. The year produced the fewest wins...

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O's game blog: The season finale arrives

September 29, 2018, 8:08pm

Orioles

O's game blog: The season finale arrives

The worst season in Orioles history comes to an end today with Game 162. The Orioles host the Houston Astros in the season finale. The Orioles (46-115) have lost three in a row, 11 of 15, 17 of 22 and 29 of the last 38 games. They are 6-20 in September, their third month with at least 20 losses, after they went 6-20 in June and 8-20 in August. The Orioles are 0-6 versus Houston and 6-26 against American League West teams. Houston (103-58) has won the first three games in the series by scores of...

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A few notes and thoughts ahead of the season finale

September 29, 2018, 7:54pm

Orioles

A few notes and thoughts ahead of the season finale

The Orioles began this series versus Houston desperate for innings and quality starts from their rotation. They've gotten both the last two days and three games, but they still lost three in a row to the Astros. When this series began Friday night, O's starters had thrown just two quality starts the last 19 games. Now they've gotten three in three games from David Hess, Dylan Bundy and Yefry RamÃrez. That trio allowed seven runs in 19 innings in a series in which the Orioles offense has...

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O's game blog: Dylan Bundy, Yefry RamÃrez pitch in the DH

September 28, 2018, 10:32pm

Orioles

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy, Yefry RamÃrez pitch in the DH

After Friday's 2-1 loss, the Orioles host Houston for two games today. The clubs play a single admission doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. Right-hander Dylan Bundy (8-16, 5.49 ERA) will make his 31st start of the season in Game 1. Bundy gave up four runs over three innings and threw 90 pitches on Monday at Boston. In his previous two starts, Bundy had allowed four earned runs over 12 2/3 innings, recording back-to-back quality starts. But Bundy has struggled often since the calender turned...

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David Hess states his case for 2019 rotation job

September 28, 2018, 10:18pm

Orioles

David Hess states his case for 2019 rotation job

Barring offseason trades and/or something else unforseen, the Orioles are likely set with three starting pitchers for the 2019 season: Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Dylan Bundy. With his performance in the final two months, right-hander David Hess has established himself in the hunt for one of the two remaining spots in next year's rotation. For a rotation desperate for innings, Hess delivered last night. Against a 100-win defending World Series champion Houston team, Hess went seven last...

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O's fall 2-1 to Houston to post 113th loss (with postgame quotes)

September 28, 2018, 5:49pm

Orioles

O's fall 2-1 to Houston to post 113th loss (with postgame quotes)

The Orioles got a strong start from right-hander David Hess, but their inconsistent offense produced little to back him tonight as they lost 2-1 to Houston to start the final series of the 2018 season. With the loss, the Orioles (46-113) tie the 1904 Washington Senators for the fifth-most losses in modern baseball history, dating to 1901. The Boston Braves are fourth with 115 in 1935. Baltimore has lost nine of 13 and 15 of its last 20 games. The Orioles have scored two runs or less in 10 of...

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With solid finish, is Renato NÃºÃ±ez making a case for a 2019 roster spot?

September 28, 2018, 1:19pm

Orioles

With solid finish, is Renato NÃºÃ±ez making a case for a 2019 roster spot?

Orioles third baseman Renato NÃºÃ±ez has been given the chance to play every day by the rebuilding Orioles. and he's taken advantage of the best opportunity of his young career. The 24-year-old from Venezuela got 15 plate appearances with Oakland in 2016 and 16 last year. Earlier this season, he got 41 plate appearances with Texas before he was designated for assignment and claimed on waivers by the Orioles. This year with Baltimore, he's gotten 206 plate appearances. With the final...

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Notes on the Houston series, future team leadership and more

September 27, 2018, 9:08pm

Orioles

Notes on the Houston series, future team leadership and more

A few quick thoughts and notes now that the 2018 season is down to three days and four games remaining: Houston hello: On April 2, the Orioles began their 2018 road schedule by playing at Houston. Tonight they close their home schedule in starting a four-game series versus Houston. In between they played 152 games. That's a long time between seeing an opponent that you play twice in one season. The Orioles have lost a lot of games since they were swept in that series at Houston by scores of...