masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOver the past few days, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has singled out Logan Verrett when discussing the Rule 5 pitchers who will report to spring training later this month.
Nothing against Jason Garcia. Duquette has tossed praise his way, as well. But he’s been bringing up Verrett’s name first, including last night on the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan after I asked about the probability that at least one of the right-handers will make the club.
Verrett, 24, is the more…

Over the past few days, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has singled out Logan Verrett when discussing the Rule 5 pitchers who will report to spring training later this month.

Nothing against Jason Garcia. Duquette has tossed praise his way, as well. But he’s been bringing up Verrett’s name first, including last night on the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan after I asked about the probability that at least one of the right-handers will make the club.

Logan Verrett.jpgVerrett, 24, is the more experienced pitcher, having made 28 starts at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2014. He’s won at every level, going 28-13 with a 3.89 ERA in 69 starts over three minor league seasons. He won at Baylor University before the Mets selected him in the third round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, and he won in high school.

Victories ooze from his pores, and dermatologists are stumped.

“All he’s done is get hitters out and win every step of his career,” Duquette said, “and I don’t see any reason why he can’t do that at the next level.”

Duquette acknowledged that it’s “a bit of a stretch” for Garcia, 22, to make the leap from Single-A to the majors, but the Orioles love his arm and clean delivery. He can blow the ball past hitters. I doubt that another pitcher made a more favorable impression on manager Buck Showalter than Garcia at last month’s minicamp in Sarasota.

Duquette also said Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Mike Wright has become a “favorite” of scouts from other organizations and teams keep inquiring about his availability. Duquette is glad that the Orioles were able to hold onto him so they can take another look at the right-hander in spring training.

Closer Zach Britton, who also called into the show, said Wright could become a “weapon” in the bullpen. And Britton knows a thing or two about starters transitioning into relief roles.

Brad-Brach.jpgBritton also said reliever Brad Brach’s stuff is “just as good if not better” than anyone in the Orioles bullpen.

Britton told me later that he doesn’t have any updates on contract negotiations. He’s one of three unsigned arbitration players, along with pitcher Miguel Gonzalez and outfielder Alejandro De Aza.

Duquette repeated that he’d like to add “another infielder or two,” ideally with some major league experience.

Duquette didn’t give a direct answer when asked whether the Orioles could make a run at free agent pitcher James Shields now that the right-hander’s price seems to be dropping.

“I think you have to give up a draft pick to sign him,” Duquette said. “He’s in the same class that (Nelson) Cruz was in last year, and Jimenez, so that may have something to do with his market right now.

“We looked at all the players on the market to see if there’s a fit. That’s something that we looked at and we’ll continue to look at. There are some other pitchers that are available, too. There are some pretty good relievers with some pretty good success in the big leagues who are still out there, too.”

New hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh talked about his fondness for an aggressive approach at the plate, saying “a moving bat is a dangerous bat,” but he also pointed out that on-base percentage and scoring runs are “two big things for me.”

Travis Snider, acquired from the Pirates last week for minor league pitcher Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later, could get most of the starts in right field if his bat allows it. First base coach Wayne Kirby, who works with the outfielders, expects Snider to make a smooth transition to Camden Yards.

“Shouldn’t be hard,” Kirby said at FanFest. “I watched some of the highlights with him when he played for the Pirates. He played right field and snatched a ball over the wall in Citi Field. I saw him snatch a ball up there.

“His speed is sneaky. And again, with the system we have in place with our defense, he just has to cover his third of the field. If he can get to a little more balls, that will be even better. But with him being left-handed and Nick (Markakis) was left-handed, it’s almost the same thing.”

flaherty-throws-third-white-ALDS-sidebar.jpgUtility infielder Ryan Flaherty has no idea why he’s gotten off to 0-for-17 starts the past two seasons, which means he’s not really sure how to prevent it from happening again.

“That’s really the million dollar question, I guess,” he said at FanFest. “Nobody wants to start the season for whatever it’s been the last couple of years. I don’t think there’s an answer for it. It’s just something you’ve got to do.”

Flaherty isn’t fretting the free agent losses of Markakis, Cruz and Andrew Miller.

“The strength of this team is just posting up every night,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup, it doesn’t matter what’s going on. I think Buck does a good job. He expects a lot out of players and when guys aren’t there, (others) are ready to play. Last year was an example of that with a lot of guys going down and guys just filling in. They expect a lot and it doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup.

“You see it all, for sure, but the show goes on and there’s a new guy who’s going to step up and fill Nick’s spot and fill Nelson’s spot. Obviously big shoes to fill, but the weight gets distributed around the lineup and guys have got to produce.”

Flaherty, who’s been working out in Florida, knew about the Blue Jays’ pursuit of Duquette as president and CEO.

“Obviously, it was big in the media, it was big all around, but I didn’t really know what was going on with it,” he said. “I was watching it from the outside, reading what everyone was saying. But he’s here, he’s a good guy and he’s obviously done a really good job with the team the past three years or so. I’m glad he’s still here.”

Steve Pearce, who also met with reporters at FanFest, said his wrists are feeling good. It’s been a challenge in the past to keep them that way.

“I’ll keep doing my thing, try to stay healthy everywhere,” he said. “For some reason, it’s always tough, but they’re not major injuries, so that’s definitely a bonus.”

Pearce doesn’t know his role in 2015 and he’s fine being left in the dark.

“You know, I’ll play wherever Buck puts me and I think I have a lot of versatility, so I that works in my favor,” he said. “If I’m swinging a good bat, Buck can put me anywhere.”

It’s been a different offseason for Pearce, who shouldn’t have to worry about winning a job in camp. He’s got a roster spot.

“Yeah, I think probably this time last year I’d be in mid-season form,” he said. “I’d have to work so hard in the offseason. But this year is different. I can take it slow and work on things I need to work on. It’s probably going to work out more in my favor this year.”

What about the possibility of playing more right field?

“Just doing what you can do pretty much, not trying to do too much, not trying to make the incredible plays,” he said. “Just get the ball, get it in as fast as I can.”

Like everyone else in the organization, left-hander Brian Matusz couldn’t care less about predictions that the Orioles will finish near or at the bottom of their division.

“Good,” he said at FanFest. “I mean, that’s how it’s been year in and year out in the past. It’s fun to prove them wrong every year.”

Like everyone else in the bullpen, Matusz doesn’t expect the unit to collapse after Miller’s departure.

“We’ve got both left-handed and right-handed arms,” he said. “Everyone’s gained a year of experience. We’ve got pretty much everybody except Andrew. We have the pieces. I think it’s going to be another good bullpen this year.”