Steve Melewski

Prospect profile: Keegan Akin made a strong pro debut

March 16, 2017, 10:35am

Orioles

As a highly drafted pitcher, there were some high expectations on left-hander Keegan Akin before he even threw one pitch as a professional. But he produced such good numbers last summer at short-season Single-A Aberdeen that Akin met those expectations in his debut season and has quickly become one of the Orioles' top pitching propsects. Drafted in the second round (54th overall) last June out of Western Michigan University, Akin got a signing bonus of $1.177 million. Last year in college,...

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Some Tillman talk and a WBC update

March 15, 2017, 8:39pm

Orioles

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman got a cortisone injection yesterday for his shoulder discomfort. While cautious optimism seems to be the current mood about Tillman, with any pitching injury, we don't know until we know. That sounds like a wiseguy response, but even if Tillman can return to pitch in April and looks good, we won't know if he can stay healthy and pitch well all year. We just won't know until we do. On the positive front, the Orioles say no surgery is contemplated right now...

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Minor league rosters and schedules, plus the word on Wasdin

March 14, 2017, 3:59pm

Orioles

Minor league rosters and schedules, plus the word on Wasdin

While the Orioles' spring training camp has been very busy at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla., the minor league camp has been humming along across town at the Twin Lakes Park complex. Dozens of minor league players are preparing for their own seasons - many, of course, with hopes of reaching the major leagues. Some have already been there. Today, minor league camp takes another step forward with the beginning of games. The Orioles players will play four games each day, with two...

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The bullpen shuttle: Orioles have a lot of optionable pitchers

March 13, 2017, 4:31pm

Orioles

As opening day approaches, we know that the Orioles will be relying heavily on their bullpen during the 2017 season. The Orioles bullpen pitchers posted an ERA of 3.40 last year and that led the American League. For most games this season, the Orioles will feature a seven-man bullpen. And we know that five of those spots will likely be filled by Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart. We don't yet know which pitchers will claim the sixth and seventh spots. But...

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Taking another look at the Orioles' rotation depth

March 12, 2017, 3:11pm

Orioles

The news on right-hander Chris Tillman from Sunday was concerning. He never even made it to his planned bullpen session, shut down after about 10 long-toss throws before he was planning to take the mound. So Tillman, who was on the disabled list from Aug. 24 to Sept. 11 last season with right shoulder bursitis, continues to have shoulder discomfort. He got a platelet-rich plasma injection in December and now Sunday's setback, detailed here and here. Tillman returned from that issue last year...

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Making an impression: Chris Lee is throwing well in camp

March 11, 2017, 6:06pm

Orioles

Making an impression: Chris Lee is throwing well in camp

The Orioles felt that if left-hander Chris Lee could prove to be healthy this year, that he could impact their 2017 pitching staff. He probably would have gotten his first callup to the majors last season, but he didn't pitch after May 23 when he had a start where he went eight innings and gave up just one run for Double-A Bowie. Lat and shoulder issues slowed him last year and he took a few months off from throwing late in the year and into the offseason. But Lee, who ended 2015 going 4-2...

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Adam Jones with walk-off hit; showdown with DR is tonight

March 10, 2017, 6:48pm

Orioles

Adam Jones with walk-off hit; showdown with DR is tonight

Well, perhaps that win for Team USA last night gained the World Baseball Classic more fans in this country. If it didn't, tonight's heavyweight bout between the United States and the Dominican Republic figures to do that. The Orioles sure factored significantly in the United States' 3-2 victory in 10 innings over Colombia. O's right-hander Mychal Givens allowed both runs that Colombia scored and Adam Jones drove in two for the USA, including the walk-off winner in the last of the...

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Will this be the year for Team USA?

March 09, 2017, 5:26pm

Orioles

The World Baseball Classic has proven to be a force and very popular around the world, creating interest and great television ratings in many countries. But for the event to gain more interest here, Team USA probably needs to win this event - or least get deep into the competition. As Team USA - with two Orioles on the roster - begins Pool C play tonight against Colombia, we can note that the Americans have been rather mediocre in previous editions of the WBC. Japan has been to the semifinals...

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After big years in 2013 and 2015, can Chris Davis add 2017 to list?

March 08, 2017, 4:08pm

Orioles

After big years in 2013 and 2015, can Chris Davis add 2017 to list?

A player that has hit 47 homers or more twice in his Orioles career and one that signed a huge contract 14 months ago is bound to be a focal point for opponent pitchers and under a huge spotlight with his own fans. That is life for Orioles first baseman Chris Davis. Recently, I wrote here how center fielder Adam Jones could produce better stats in 2017 than he did in 2016, and Davis also fits in that category. A middle-of-the-order hitter that is expected to produce plenty of runs, Davis is...

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The ongoing tale of three once highly ranked O's prospects

March 07, 2017, 5:30pm

Orioles

The ongoing tale of three once highly ranked O's prospects

Non-roster outfielders Logan Schafer, David Washington and Chris Dickerson are still with the Orioles at major league spring training. So are Rule 5 pick outfielders Anthony Santander and Aneury TavÃ¡rez. But Dariel Ãlvarez is not. He was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday. It appears that Ãlvarez has fallen well down the depth chart in the outfield. He was sent to minor league camp after going 0-for-11 in Grapefruit League games. The competition for the final outfield roster spots...

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The pressure could be on at the front of the Orioles rotation

March 06, 2017, 2:42pm

Orioles

It starts with the starting pitchers. That we know. Starting pitching will have a lot to say about how the Orioles and just about every other team fares in 2017. The pitchers may change from year to year, but that adage does not. Some readers have expressed concerns that the Orioles will be in trouble counting on Ubaldo JimÃ©nez and Wade Miley to produce solid results at the back end of the five-man rotation. JimÃ©nez had an ERA of 5.44 last year, but his career mark of 4.13 is much more...

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Taking an early guess at the 25-man roster

March 05, 2017, 5:56pm

Orioles

Taking an early guess at the 25-man roster

A lot can change, and we still have four weeks to go before opening day, but here is my shot at projecting the Orioles' 25-man roster. I should point out I went with the roster as if no one starts the year on the disabled list and as if the Orioles don't have three early off-days. Kind of a roster once they settle into the grind of the season. Of course, they may start the year with a player or players on the disabled list and they do have those off-days. So the opening day roster could look...

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More WBC talk and Statcast technology continues to grow

March 04, 2017, 11:39am

Orioles

More WBC talk and Statcast technology continues to grow

The World Baseball Classic begins Monday. And while there have been rumors this could be the last WBC, that seems unlikely. Commissioner Rob Manfred has said he is committed to the event for future competitions. While the WBC seems to have strong interest around the world, it's been lacking in the United States. One reason is that Team USA has not fared well in this event. In three WBCs, Team USA is 10-10, has made the semifinals once and has never played for the championship. A better showing...

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Will we see more big-dollar free agent pitchers? (plus other notes)

March 03, 2017, 4:29pm

Orioles

Will we see more big-dollar free agent pitchers? (plus other notes)

Over the last couple of years, three pitchers have signed contracts worth more than $200 million through free agency. This winter, no pitcher got a deal worth more than $48 million. But that had much more to do with the quality of the free agent class of pitchers, it seems, than any change in or scaling back of the mega-contract that an elite pitcher can get. It just says that David Price can get more on the free market than Rich Hill. A lot more. Former Orioles general manager Andy MacPhail...

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A possible setback for the Red Sox, plus other notes

March 02, 2017, 5:02pm

Orioles

A possible setback for the Red Sox, plus other notes

The news from Boston Red Sox camp yesterday seemed ominous. Left-hander David Price was experiencing elbow and forearm discomfort/soreness. He underwent an MRI exam and now is headed to seek additional medical opinions. No one is saying that will result in a surgery, but Price is heading to Indianapolis (at the NFL scouting combine) to see two of the game's foremost Tommy John experts - Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Orioles prospects Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey have both spent...

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After slight stats drop, is Adam Jones poised to return to previous form?

March 01, 2017, 1:28pm

Orioles

After slight stats drop, is Adam Jones poised to return to previous form?

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones will soon leave the team to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He might take a hot bat into that competition. After going 2-for-3 with a home run against Boston Wednesday, Jones is 5-for-11 this spring (.455) with two homers and four RBIs. When you look at players who can improve on their 2016 statistics as the Orioles look to return to the postseason, Jones is on that list. After finishing in the top 15 in the American League MVP voting from...

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Notes on Jayson Aquino, the WBC and the passing of Dave Rosenfield

February 28, 2017, 4:18pm

Orioles

Notes on Jayson Aquino, the WBC and the passing of Dave Rosenfield

Jayson Aquino, a 24-year-old left-hander, quietly put up some decent numbers on the Orioles farm last year and he also pitched 2 1/3 innings in three games for the Orioles, one in July and two in September. In that small sample, he held major league hitters to one hit over eight at-bats. After he threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts yesterday in Clearwater against Philadelphia, O's manager Buck Showalter called Aquino "the highlight of the early part of camp for me." Click here...

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Drake allows spring homer, but still could emerge in O's 'pen come April

February 27, 2017, 2:53pm

Orioles

Drake allows spring homer, but still could emerge in O's 'pen come April

Even though he gave up a three-run homer in the ninth inning yesterday, there are reasons to believe that right-hander Oliver Drake has a solid shot to head north with the Orioles for opening day in April. Drake could be pushing for a bullpen spot for several reasons. They include his strong finish last year, a subtle role change he made in the second half with Triple-A Norfolk and the fact that he is now out of options. The Orioles drafted Drake in the 43rd round out of the Naval Academy in...

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Does Carlos Martinez deal provide a framework for Kevin Gausman, others?

February 26, 2017, 5:23pm

Orioles

Does Carlos Martinez deal provide a framework for Kevin Gausman, others?

It's a question that all major league teams face at some point with their promising young talent: When is the right time to take a risk and sign that player to a long-term contract? On the plus side, you can lock up a core player for years to come, buy out some free agent years and have some cost certainty. You may even be able to save a few million dollars. But there is potential on the negative side, because those dollars are guaranteed despite any future injury and/or player drop-off in...

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The readers ask: "10 Questions for O's Fans"

February 25, 2017, 12:43pm

Orioles

The readers ask: "10 Questions for O's Fans"

It has been a once-a-month feature since the 2016 ended and we better do it soon if we want a February edition. So here is the latest "10 Questions for O's Fans." The last time we did this, we asked what question should we ask next time, and here are some of your answers. Even those that said I should do my own work are allowed to answer today. 1. Who will have the biggest bounceback season for the O's, Chris Davis, Darren O'Day, J.J. Hardy or Adam Jones? 2. What will Kevin Gausman's...