SARASOTA, Fla. - Delmon Young isn't a guy who's accustomed to having reporters around his locker in spring training, which explained his reaction today when a few members of the media approached him. He glanced up, saw us and got a puzzled look on his face.
It's just nice to catch up, no matter how brief the conversation.
Young routinely is the first Oriole to arrive each morning, leaving his locker unoccupied when reporters are allowed inside the clubhouse. He's in the weight room or hitting in the cage, working up a sweat before heading out into the Florida heat.
"I've been doing this since 2004 with Carl Crawford (in Tampa). It's just something I've always done," Young said.
"He was the leader of the team when I first showed up at big league camp, so I followed him around everywhere. He would show up early, so I'd show up early."
Young is starting in right field today against the Blue Jays. He's 9-for-32 (.281), including three hits yesterday against the Pirates in Bradenton.
"To be honest, it's spring training. We're just getting ready for the season. That's what I'm trying to do," he said.
"I've still got 12 days to do whatever I can, so just using these days to get ready."
Young has a spot reserved on the roster this season, which is quite a contrast to last spring, when he signed a minor league deal after a tryout at minicamp and had to earn a job.
Does it feel any different in camp?
"No, I'm still making every road trip, so it's still the same," Young said. "The road trips are fine because it's almost like a normal day game. You just go and take BP and play."
Young batted .302/.337/.442 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 83 games last season, and he emerged as baseball's most productive pinch-hitter by going 10-for-20 in the regular season and adding a go-ahead, three-run double in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. The Orioles re-signed him to a one-year deal over the winter and added him to the outfield mix after losing Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis in free agency.
Young said he's more comfortable in right field, but he hasn't been tested this spring.
"I haven't really had any balls hit to me," he said. "If you watch the games, there's probably only been like one or two balls hit to right field. Every time I go out there, the pitcher's been dealing, so I haven't done much."
Young doesn't need any reminders of the challenges in the outfield in Grapefruit League ballparks.
"The conditions during the season are a lot easier to see in the outfield than they are down in spring training, because you play with three decks or four decks at most stadiums, and down here you play with a lower level," he said. "And then you've got the high sky and a lot more wind out here than you would during the season."
As for upcoming pitching matchups, Chris Tillman starts Thursday for the Orioles against Tigers left-hander David Price in Lakeland. Joe Nathan and Joakim Soria are listed as available relievers for Detroit.
Anyone having Division Series flashbacks?
Bud Norris starts Friday for the Orioles against Rays left-hander Everett Teaford in Sarasota, though there's rain in the forecast. The Yankees are starting left-hander CC Sabathia on Saturday in Tampa.
Counting Daniel Norris today, the Orioles are facing four consecutive left-handed starters. I'm not sure it means much in spring training, but it's happening.
Here's the Blue Jays' lineup:
Devon Travis 2B
Steve Tolleson 3B
Kevin Pillar CF
Danny Valencia 1B
Dayan Viciedo LF
Justin Smoak DH
Caleb Gindl RF
Josh Thole C
Ryan Goins SS
Daniel Norris LHP