masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgHunter Harvey didn’t warm in the bullpen last night, the Orioles falling behind by seven runs in the second inning and a high-leverage situation nowhere to be found.
Dillon Tate got the call behind starter Ty Blach and responded with three scoreless innings. His first appearance in the majors without allowing a run.
Last night marked only his fourth game, but he had permitted seven runs in six innings prior to the Orioles optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk. Tate returned yesterday with Shawn…

Hunter Harvey didn’t warm in the bullpen last night, the Orioles falling behind by seven runs in the second inning and a high-leverage situation nowhere to be found.

Dillon Tate got the call behind starter Ty Blach and responded with three scoreless innings. His first appearance in the majors without allowing a run.

Last night marked only his fourth game, but he had permitted seven runs in six innings prior to the Orioles optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk. Tate returned yesterday with Shawn Armstrong going on the injured list, another first-round pick to pair with Harvey.

The Rangers made Tate the fourth overall selection in 2015 and the Orioles are his third organization.

Manager Brandon Hyde would like to keep him with Harvey – two young pitchers with excellent stuff who could be real weapons out of the bullpen.

“Yeah, it’s fun to watch,” Hyde said. “That’s what we’re looking for is guys with stuff and obviously talented guys that are only going to get better. It’s fun to watch both those guys because they have such good arms.”

Tate and Harvey are former starters who have transitioned to the bullpen. Harvey embraces it. Tate may not be quite as enthusiastic, but he isn’t fighting it.

The new role got him to the majors.

“It’s been good. Can’t complain,” he said. “Just looking to help the team more and more any way I can.”

Smith-Upset-After-Strikeout-Black-Sidebar.jpg* Dwight Smith Jr. wasn’t in Triple-A Norfolk’s lineup last night, but he’s with the Tides. The Orioles reinstated him from the injured list yesterday and optioned him.

I was wondering how they’d make room for him on a roster that includes outfielders Anthony Santander and DJ Stewart and do-everything utility man Stevie Wilkerson.

The Orioles could have removed Jace Peterson or Rio Ruiz, but held onto both players.

The decision on Smith wasn’t based only on roster space.

“We’re going to get him some more at-bats and he’ll be up here shortly. But just to get him some more at-bat,” Hyde said.

“He really missed quite a bit of time the last couple of months. Hasn’t had a ton of ABs. So stay down there and get a few more ABs and come up here shortly.”

* The list of scouts let go by the Orioles yesterday included Nathan Showalter, son of former manager Buck Showalter, who made an impact in the organization despite having less tenure than others on the list.

In some cases, a lot less tenure.

Showalter, hired in 2015, scouted and pushed for the signing this year of Division III Penn State-Berks third baseman Toby Welk, who batted .344/.397/.500 with 12 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 28 RBIs in 48 games with short-season Single-A Aberdeen. He was selected to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.

Welk was drafted in the 21st round. Showalter kept tracking him, becoming a regular presence at his games, and watched him slash .483/.555/.938 as a senior with 17 doubles, five triples, 13 home runs, 58 RBIs and 56 runs scored. He led all Division III hitters in slugging percentage.

The Orioles are bumping Welk to Single-A Delmarva.

Showalter also is responsible for the selection of University of Pittsburgh pitcher Dan Hammer in the 13th round. Hammer has registered a 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and .160 average-against in eight game (five starts) with Aberdeen. He’s surrendered one home run and struck out 34 batters in 28 innings.

* Dean Albany, a local product who pitched at Brooklyn Park High School, spent 20 years in the organization before his firing yesterday. I’m only speculating here, but let’s see if he winds up in the Phillies organization.

Take the time to check his record and championships managing the Maryland Orioles collegiate summer team.

Albany was crushed when the Orioles traded Josh Hader to the Astros in the Bud Norris deal in 2013. Albany signed Hader out of Old Mill High School in Millersville. Saw the potential that others seemed to be missing. And watched him flourish in the low minors before the trade.

Hader is a two-time All-Star who finished seventh in Cy Young Award voting last year.

I can’t think of one without the other.

The Orioles relinquished some really good people yesterday, and that includes director of baseball operations Tripp Norton. But it happens when new people are in charge. In sports and elsewhere.

It’s an unfortunate part of professional life.

They’re going to land on their feet. No doubt about it.