masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe clubhouse will be a little more crowded today with catcher Chance Sisco, designated hitter Pedro Álvarez, outfielder Joey Rickard and reliever Jimmy Yacabonis.
The most fuss will be made over the two non-roster players.
Sisco is the top prospect who, though unlikely to appear in many games while the Orioles are in contention, is a terrific story based on his stature and how he’s in the majors for the first time. Álvarez won’t fill up a quote sheet, but his power is sick and it’s…

The clubhouse will be a little more crowded today with catcher Chance Sisco, designated hitter Pedro Álvarez, outfielder Joey Rickard and reliever Jimmy Yacabonis.

The most fuss will be made over the two non-roster players.

Sisco Throws Black Gear Sidebar.jpgSisco is the top prospect who, though unlikely to appear in many games while the Orioles are in contention, is a terrific story based on his stature and how he’s in the majors for the first time. Álvarez won’t fill up a quote sheet, but his power is sick and it’s interesting that he had to wait this long to get back into the majors.

It worked out wonderfully for the Orioles. They were able to keep him in the organization despite his opt-out dates, and now have a potent left-handed bat on their bench.

* Darren O’Day retired the side in order in the ninth inning last night, with two strikeouts, and allowed two runs in 15 appearances in August. He struck out 16 batters in 14 2/3 innings and lowered his ERA from 4.91 to 3.86.

Mychal Givens surrendered two home runs to Kendrys Morales last night and was charged with three runs in 2 1/3 innings. He’s allowed five runs over his last four appearances, spanning 5 1/3 innings.

Givens was scored upon in three of his 12 outings in August, but he gave up four runs and three hits in an inning on Aug. 4 against the Tigers. The bad ones stand out.

Hunter Harvey throws black.png* No matter how much Hunter Harvey impresses with each start, and he’s opening eyes and dropping jaws, the Orioles are making plans to shut him down. It’s when, not if. But it’s also flexible.

The catchphrase is “normal offseason.” The Orioles are offering one to Harvey, who didn’t begin pitching again until July 19 after recovering from ligament-constructive surgery on his right elbow. But they could promote him to a higher affiliate for the playoffs before prescribing rest.

The idea has been kicked around, though it may be less than 50-50.

In his seven outings, the most recent at low Single-A Delmarva, Harvey has tossed 15 2/3 scoreless innings with eight hits, five walks and 25 strikeouts. Opponents are batting .148.

It’s early and ambitious to pull back the curtains on spring training, but I’m already anticipating the drama that Harvey will bring to camp.

The Orioles aren’t planning on him being part of their rotation or bullpen, but every side session and every inning in exhibition games will tempt them. He’s been that good. And there’s no reason to expect him to backslide after reporting in good health, rested and ready.

Manager Buck Showalter will be asked about Harvey on a daily basis, and the temptation to bring him north could be tremendous. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Harvey is treated like Dylan Bundy was last season and placed in the bullpen while handled with care. But he also could vie for a starting job, depending on moves made over the winter and the composition of the pitching staff. Otherwise, he could be assigned to Double-A Bowie and start every fifth or sixth day, with a major league debut possible later in the summer.

The last scenario may be the wisest, given the limited innings Harvey has accumulated due to injuries and his surgery, but the kid could force their hand. It will be fun to watch him try it.

* Trey Mancini was drafted as a first baseman, but he’s been so impressive in the outfield that the Orioles only must decide whether he’s in left or right next season.

Chris Davis continues to block first base, of course, but there’s no need to make Mancini a designated hitter or consider putting Davis at another position.

There’s support within the organization to break camp next spring with young outfielders Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins on the roster if they don’t come across as overmatched in the Grapefruit League. But again, it’s impossible to project without knowing what moves are made over the winter.

Seth Smith will be a free agent and Mark Trumbo can be penciled in as the primary designated hitter. Joey Rickard will vie for a spot, whether as a regular or backup at all three positions. I’m guessing that Showalter would like to hold onto Craig Gentry, but there are no assurances that he’ll still be in the organization.

We can’t forget about Anthony Santander, who must begin the 2018 season on the major league roster with Rule 5 status.

An outfield of Mancini, Hays and Adam Jones isn’t a reach. We’ll see.

I’m getting the sense that Hays and Mullins won’t be placed on the 40-man roster as September call-ups, but I’m not offering any guarantees.

* Welington Castillo started his fifth consecutive game last night to keep his sizzling bat in the lineup.

Castillo also has been a weapon behind the plate, throwing out 22 of 44 runners attempting to steal.

“I think we have a good reputation here about really placing emphasis on holding runners and times to the plate,” Showalter said. “Most catchers at this level who throw like Welington and Caleb (Joseph) do, if you give them a chance, they’re going to throw them out. And we place a lot of emphasis, like other teams do, on tagging properly. Tim (Beckham) has made some adjustments that have made him (better). You give them a chance, they’ll throw them out. And there might be a lot of other catchers out there like that that, if guys held runners and guys tagged properly …

“I think a lot of people don’t realize the job John Russell does. But Welington’s been solid. He’s always had the arm strength, and if you give him a chance, he’ll throw them out.”

Castillo and Joseph have combined for 24 home runs, the former accounting for 16. Only two teams were ahead of the Orioles last night – the Astros and Cubs with 27.

“It’s been an advantage of us, especially when the pitchers are comfortable throwing to either one,” Showalter said. “There’s not that element that you have to deal with, and that’s unusual with a pitching staff.”

Examples that come to mind include how Scott Erickson always wanted Lenny Webster or whichever catcher was backing up Chris Hoiles. Mike Mussina seemed more comfortable with Hoiles.

No one wanted Jake Fox.

Armando Benitez preferred Webster because Hoiles was so reluctant to call for the slider, and the volatile right-hander had an odd attachment to the pitch. Fast-forward to the 1997 American League Championship Series, if you dare.

Orioles catchers combined for 18 home runs last season, tied for 15th in the majors. Matt Wieters hit 17 and Francisco Peña hit one.

* Manny Machado stole his ninth base last night.

I mention it only because he didn’t have a steal last season. And I mention that because he swiped 20 bags in 2015.

* The Orioles play 23 of their last 28 games against the American League East. They still have another interleague series, with two games in Pittsburgh on Sept. 26-27.

“How are we playing Pittsburgh in late September?” Showalter asked. “That’s going to be a lot of fun getting pitchers ready to hit in those two games. That’s real smart.”