Steve Melewski

A scout's tale: Jim Howard is a longtime Oriole

February 14, 2018, 10:35am

Orioles

A scout's tale: Jim Howard is a longtime Oriole

In December, we began a new series in this space. We are introducing you to some Orioles scouts before the new season begins. Some fans may not even know their names. Hopefully, after reading this and upcoming posts, you'll know a lot more than that. So on we go ... When the Orioles ended a 14-year run of losing seasons and returned to the playoffs in 2012, it was huge for the organization. So many players, manager Buck Showalter and his coaches, scouts and front office members helped the team...

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After September debut, does Austin Hays make the opening day roster?

February 13, 2018, 5:08pm

Orioles

After September debut, does Austin Hays make the opening day roster?

When the Orioles get their full squad into spring training camp, we will begin to find out if rookie Austin Hays is going to begin the 2018 season as the club's everyday right fielder, wind up in a reserve role or head back to the farm for more minor league seasoning. Door No. 3 - more seasoning in the minors - is not necessarily the worst thing for a kid of just 22 and with only 64 games at the Double-A level under his belt. But Hays has come on fast and was the first player from the 2016...

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The Darvish deal: Good signing by the Cubs or big risk?

February 12, 2018, 4:43pm

Orioles

The Darvish deal: Good signing by the Cubs or big risk?

When the Chicago Cubs agreed to terms with free agent right-hander Yu Darvish to a six-year deal worth $126 million, did they made a great move? After all, they added a pitcher pending a physical that is considered to be the top hurler on the free agent market - and one considered a No. 1 pitcher - for less than projected in November. They also didn't have to give up a draft pick. When Darvish was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July, that meant he could not be made a qualifying offer to...

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One pitcher looks for a strong first impression, another for a new role

February 11, 2018, 3:55pm

Orioles

One pitcher looks for a strong first impression, another for a new role

When spring training begins this week, 25-year-old right-hander Michael Kelly enters camp as an Orioles newcomer that adds some pitching depth to the roster. He would like to end camp as someone that makes a strong enough first impression to get a shot at some point this year on the major league roster. Kelly has yet to pitch in the majors. The Orioles signed him in December when he was a minor league free agent. But he got a major league contract and heads to camp as a member of the 40-man...

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Week in review: Harsh words exchanged, free agent batters and more

February 10, 2018, 1:21pm

Orioles

Week in review: Harsh words exchanged, free agent batters and more

In looking back on the last week of stories here and revisting a few, we spent some time discussing the harsh words exchanged recently by the players and owners, looked at some lefty-batting free agents and also looked at the latest PECOTA projections. On Monday, we discussed some recent statements issued, including one by the Major League Baseball Players Assocation and one by prominent agent Brodie Van Wagenen. He said the slow free agent market "feels coordinated" and that the players...

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When the music stops, who gets a chair in O's rotation?

February 09, 2018, 3:57pm

Orioles

When the music stops, who gets a chair in O's rotation?

So with spring training camps set to open next week, the free agent market is still flush with players, and that includes plenty of pitchers. Back in October and November - knowing the Orioles have three openings in their rotation - we profiled nine free agent starters. Of those nine, five are still out there. The four that off are off the market:* Tyler Chatwood, who signed a three-year deal for $38 million with the Cubs.* Jhoulys Chacin, who signed a two-year deal for $15.5 million with...

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There are five Orioles on this top 100, plus quick takes

February 08, 2018, 5:37pm

Orioles

When several top 100 prospects lists came out recently, the Orioles placed three players on the Baseball America top 100 with Austin Hays at No. 21, Chance Sisco at No. 68 and Ryan Mountcastle at No. 71. They placed two each on lists from ESPN, Baseball Prospectus and MLBPipeline.com. They placed just Hays at No. 90 on FanGraphs.com. Interestingly enough, when another top 100 list was published on the FanGraphs website yesterday, there were five Orioles ranked in the second 50 of that...

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Once again, PECOTA not bullish on the O's, plus other notes

February 07, 2018, 7:11pm

Orioles

Once again, PECOTA not bullish on the O's, plus other notes

Would it surprise you to know that the New York Yankees have not won the American League East since the 2012 season? Baltimore, Boston and Toronto have all won the East since New York was last on top by two games over the Orioles, with 95 to 93 wins, in 2012. The Yankees would go on to beat the Orioles that fall in the AL Division Series. As a matter of fact, Baltimore, Boston and Toronto have all finished both first and last in the division since when New York last ruled the East. But...

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Can the Orioles now take the next step with Schoop?

February 06, 2018, 5:29pm

Orioles

The Orioles and one of their top players made news yesterday when the club signed him for the 2018 season. He was already under team control - that we knew - but now we know that second baseman Jonathan Schoop's 2018 salary will be $8.5 million. The two sides avoided arbitration and any ill will such a hearing could have caused. There was already the issue of Schoop missing FanFest and the fact that his absence clearly didn't sit well with fans or the team's management. But on the field, of...

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A look at a few lefty-batting free agent outfielders

February 05, 2018, 4:02pm

Orioles

A look at a few lefty-batting free agent outfielders

The Orioles have indicated they are planning to add another left-handed batter. It sure seems that the acquisition could also be an outfielder and maybe a right fielder. Three outfielders that the club has shown some interest in this winter include Carlos GonzÃ¡lez, Jon Jay and Jarrod Dyson. All three are free agents and all three may only get one-year deals or two years at the most. They could be in the Orioles' wheelhouse on a short-term deal. It would allow the club to potentially get...

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The cold free agent market has led to some hot takes

February 04, 2018, 12:18pm

Orioles

The cold free agent market has led to some hot takes

The Major League Baseball Players Association issued a statement Sunday saying that reports of the players boycotting spring training are false and they've not recommended such plans. But the fact that the MLBPA was inclined to even issue a statement is the latest sign that these are turbulent times in the sport. The players' side is stirred up about both the lack of free agent movement and the commissioner's desire to implement pace of play rules. This has gotten a bit contentious at a time...

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Here's a prediction that Machado-Schoop will be a stellar double play combo

February 03, 2018, 5:35pm

Orioles

Here's a prediction that Machado-Schoop will be a stellar double play combo

With the announcement that Manny Machado will play shortstop this season, did the Orioles create one of baseball's best double play combinations for the 2018 season? According to this story on MLB.com, they did. Reporter Anthony Castrovince, using stat projections for offense and defense for the coming season, ranked the best DP combos in the sport. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve of the World Series-winning Houston Astros are No. 1, and Machado and Jonathan Schoop were ranked second....

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Can Chris Davis combat the shift, plus more on Andrew Susac

February 02, 2018, 7:27pm

Orioles

Can Chris Davis combat the shift, plus more on Andrew Susac

Whenever there is discussion about the Orioles offense, it seems almost all roads lead back to first baseman Chris Davis and his struggles of the last two years. He is a focal point - that comes with the big contract he signed. Of course, there is a lot more to any offense than just one player, but Davis is a key player no doubt. As his strikeout totals remained high - and even went over the 200 mark in 2015 and 2016 - his home run total dropped. He hit 47 homers in 2015 and then 38 and 26 the...

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O's add catching depth, acquire Andrew Susac via trade

February 02, 2018, 8:47am

Orioles

O's add catching depth, acquire Andrew Susac via trade

The Orioles today added to their catching depth when they acquired Andrew Susac from the Brewers for a player to be named or cash considerations. Susac has been added to the club's 40-man roster, which is now at a full 40. He was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Jan. 30 to make room for right-hander Matt Albers. Throw another player into the mix for the backup catcher's job in spring training. "Susac is a (righty)-hitting catcher with over 100 games ML experience who adds depth...

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In 2018, Hunter Harvey finds out how far his long road back takes him

February 01, 2018, 3:08pm

Orioles

In 2018, Hunter Harvey finds out how far his long road back takes him

Here is an interesting fact about Orioles pitching prospect Hunter Harvey. He has already been ranked by Baseball America among the club's top four prospects four times. This despite having never pitched through a full season and having not yet pitched above low Single-A baseball. Clearly there is plenty of talent and potential here even if there is not yet an abundance of innings or game experience. But this could be a season where - knock on wood - Harvey pitches start to finish and rises...

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Dylan Bundy on 2017 season, moving to top of rotation and more

January 31, 2018, 1:52pm

Orioles

Dylan Bundy on 2017 season, moving to top of rotation and more

After two full seasons in the majors and one as a full-time starter, Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy has moved up the rotation depth chart. The 25-year-old Bundy is No. 1 or No. 2 right now. He can count like the rest of us and realizes the club has two - and only two - established starters locked into the rotation at the moment. He, like the rest of us, is waiting to find out who will join him in the starting five when the season starts. "Yeah, definitely," Bundy said during an interview at...

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A look at the player development forum at FanFest

January 30, 2018, 1:05pm

Orioles

A look at the player development forum at FanFest

You probably have noticed that we enjoy writing about and covering the minor leagues here. So that was one of the many reasons I listened in with interest during the player development fan forum at FanFest on Saturday. This was a chance, during a 20-minute session, for fans to address topics on the farm and question Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette, along with vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson and director of player development Brian...

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Taking a longer look at Manny Machado's move back to short

January 29, 2018, 5:43pm

Orioles

Taking a longer look at Manny Machado's move back to short

If you can get a sense of the pulse of the Orioles fan base listening to sports talk radio and reading the comments on these blogs, then the move of Manny Machado to shortstop is playing to mixed reviews. On the plus side, some fans are down with the fact that the team is taking its best defender and putting him at a premium defensive position. On the down side, some fans seem to feel the club gave in to the player's desire to move to shortstop for his final season before free agency. Let's...

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Coolbaugh on homer reliance, Cortes on rotation shot (updated)

January 28, 2018, 2:49pm

Orioles

Coolbaugh on homer reliance, Cortes on rotation shot (updated)

In three of the last six seasons, the Orioles have led the major leagues in home runs. They topped every club by hitting 212 in 2013, 211 in 2014 and 253 in 2016. The 2017 Orioles hit 232 home runs, but that ranked only fifth both in the American League and the major leagues behind the Yankees (241), Astros (238), Rangers (237) and Athletics (234). The Orioles had seven players hit 20 or more homers last season for just the second time in club history. The 1996 team also had seven. Tim Beckham...

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FanFest follow-up: Machado, the rotation and more prospect talk

January 27, 2018, 5:31pm

Orioles

FanFest follow-up: Machado, the rotation and more prospect talk

At FanFest, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he is confident the club will still be able to fill its, shall we say, thin starting rotation. Manager Buck Showalter reminded fans that it's only January and that analysts doubt his team every year. And keeping with that theme, when vice president of baseball operations and former Oriole Brady Anderson met with reporters, he echoed those thoughts. He feels the club still has the time and resources to add a solid pitcher or more...