SARASOTA – By manager Craig Albernaz’s estimation, only two players remained out of camp yesterday as the Orioles held their first workout. The full squad won’t gather on the field until Monday, but early arrivals are the norm in Sarasota.

The depth of Albernaz’s math skills isn’t known, but the team kept it simple for him.

Pete Alonso inherited the locker at the head of the clubhouse previously occupied by Adam Jones and Cedric Mullins. Of course he did.

“That guy’s been a staple with the Mets ever since he debuted with the league,” said outfielder Tyler O’Neill. “Perennial power hitter, plays 160 games at first base. All those are very impressive stats. So for us to go out and sign him, I mean, that was kudos to Mike (Elias) and the rest of the front office to be able to get that done.

“He’s going to be a staple in this offense for years to come and something for the rest of us players to work around. I’m really excited to see how he works and what that preparation looks like for him personally and getting to know him better as a teammate.” 

O’Neill will leave camp to play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

“Yeah, I’m really excited,” he said. “Anytime I can represent the Maple Leaf in an international platform, I’m gonna jump at that. Playing meaningful baseball in the middle of spring training is always a fun time, as well. I think it’s going to be really good for me and propel me to a strong start.”

O’Neill needs it. He hit his annual Opening Day home run but appeared in only 54 games because of three stops on the injured list and batted .199 with a .684 OPS.

“I feel really good, I feel healthy right now,” he said. “I feel like my swing’s in a good spot. So eager to get down here and be working with the guys in a team format and get things going.

“I don’t think it’s any hiding that last year was a big disappointment for me. I don’t feel like that’s a representation of me, my skill set and the quality of player that I am and what I can bring to this ballclub. I know there’s a lot more in the tank, and I’ve been working really hard on some fine adjustments to make sure I’m in a good position to be able to produce this year. I’m really excited with who else we have in the clubhouse. We’ve had a lot of really good signings and good additions to this team, so there’s a lot of buzz around here. Good energy here, for sure.”

Some encouragement was found in how he graded out metrically, but it couldn’t erase the poor stats and prolonged absences.

“Obviously, the production wasn’t there, so there’s a fine line of adjustment that I need to make, but also understanding there was a lot of positives last year that I took from it,” O’Neill said. “But it doesn’t matter if the ball doesn’t drop in the outfield. It doesn’t matter if you’re lining out. Nobody cares, right? It’s all about producing and being able to use the whole field or coming up big with runners in scoring position, or whatever that might be. It’s all about making those fine adjustments.”

Elias wanted to improve production and power from the right side, and he signed Alonso and traded for outfielder Taylor Ward. O’Neill is a career .258/.363/.531 hitter against left-handers, but he slashed .157/.254/.392 in 2025.

“I didn’t pull my weight last year the way I should have, the way I was expected to, and that weighs heavily on me rather than everyone else,” he said. “Obviously, there’s an expectation there for me personally, but I’ve done everything I can this offseason to make sure that I’m coming into spring in a good spot and I’m healthy and making those adjustments to fine tune and produce.

“Signing Pete’s huge for us. The production that guy brings, league wide everyone knows Pete Alonso hitting third or fourth or whatever it might be. Getting Taylor Ward, 36 home runs last year, playing 150-160 games in the outfield. That’s quite impressive, as well. Those guys are going to be middle-of-the-lineup hitters and wherever I fit around that is great. I’m just trying to do my part and produce the way Tyler O’Neill produces.”

O’Neill stewed over his failings after returning home, wanting to make a good impression on a new team and fan base and instead becoming a source of frustration, but he had to flush it.

“I was coping with it a lot early on in the offseason,” he said. “Obviously, there’s a point where like, OK, what’s done is done. I need to regroup. And I know the kind of player I am. I’m always going to be confident in myself. I’ve said this to you guys before, I’m always one swing away. It doesn’t matter what kind of slump you’re in or anyone’s in. You’re always just one click away from being great again.”

By reporting yesterday, O’Neill was one of the last Orioles to tour the new player development complex. The reviews are overwhelmingly favorable.

“That’s impressive what they did here,” he said. “The batting cages are completely upgraded. The bullpen, the turf field out in the back where Field 1 used to be, really impressive. It makes us want to come to the field and work hard. Just seeing ownership invest in us the way that we want to invest in the team is awesome. So I think all around everyone in here is gonna be impressed with the improvements here.”

O’Neill kept walking past Albernaz’s office yesterday and finding an empty chair. They’d eventually speak in person for the first time after multiple phone calls.

“Super fiery guy,” O’Neill said. “Massachusetts, thick accent, love to hear it. Great personality on the phone. Seems like he’s very player focused, and that’s what we want to show up to see. We want a guy who cares for us, and he’s going to be in the dogfight with us. I can tell from his personality that’s the way it’s going to be.”

Albernaz lost his second baseman with Jackson Holliday breaking a hamate bone in his right hand and undergoing surgery today in Los Angeles. Elias said he’s hoping that Holliday’s return is “measured in weeks” after Opening Day.

So much for an excess of position players.

Let’s try this again:

Catchers
Adley Rutschman
Samual Basallo

Infielders
Pete Alonso
Gunnar Henderson
Jordan Westburg
Ryan Mountcastle
Coby Mayo
Blaze Alexander

Outfielders
Taylor Ward
Colton Cowser
Tyler O’Neill
Dylan Beavers
Leody Taveras

Jeremiah Jackson also must be considered with his ability to play second and third base, as well as the outfield, and with Holliday out of the picture. Elias and Albernaz also mentioned non-roster utility player Weston Wilson.

“Position versatility is always valuable in this game,” Albernaz said.

“We have guys that can move around, and for us as a coaching staff and also for the team, it’s such a huge piece. All those guys are going to be getting reps all over the place, and as we get closer to camp, kind of see where the pieces fall.”