This, that and the other

There are times when it must feel like manager Christian Frias and his players are operating under a cloak of anonymity.

The higher-level affiliates usually get the most attention as players inch closer to the major league roster. The Orioles have three teams in the state of Maryland with Double-A Chesapeake, High-A Aberdeen and Class A Delmarva, and Triple-A Norfolk is a relatively easy drive. But down in Sarasota, the Florida Complex League entry plays in intense heat and out of sight except for some locals.

The regular season is winding down, with only two games left and plenty of drama. The FCL Orioles split a doubleheader yesterday with the Twins, the team that they trail by two games for first place in the South Division and face two more times this week. They lead the FCL Blue Jays by one game for the Wild Card.

Developing players is the No. 1 priority, but victories also count in the minors, even on one of the lowest rungs of the organizational ladder.

“It’s development first, and if you happen to win while doing it, I mean, we’ll take it,” Frias said.

“I think we’ve done that over the years, especially at this level. We’ve developed a bunch of players that are going up and going through the leagues and debuting in the big leagues. It’s just showing in wins and losses this year and we’re very proud of that, of course. But definitely don’t want to put a guy’s development in jeopardy just because you’re trying to win a game. But them learning how to win, it’s awesome, just because they take the field to perform. They don’t want to do bad. And because they take the field and play so hard, they’re getting the benefit of winning some games here, and it’s been awesome that they’re in position to potentially make the playoffs.

Frias has managed in the FCL for four seasons and he understands the difficulty in competing with inexperienced players, many of them new to professional life, and after prospects earn promotions and must be replaced.

The Orioles lost Game 1, 1-0 in eight innings yesterday, and gained a split with a 9-3 win in Game 2. Catcher Andrew Tess, a 12^th-round draft pick in 2024, homered and drove in four runs.

“I’m extremely proud of this group, given the roster construction and the initial roster for Opening Day and how many guys we’ve lost, position player-wise, on the pitching side,” Frias said. “It’s been an honor to be able to manage this group. They’re definitely at the early part of their careers and with all the ins and outs, and how much that can impact wins and losses. These guys have done a great job of developing and continuing to push, and next-guy-up mentality.

“Only the guys in this clubhouse know everything we’ve gone through as a team and as teammates of all these players.”

Frias had Nate George on his roster for 23 games, when the 19-year-old outfielder batted .383/.451/.556. George, the No. 4 prospect in the system according to Baseball America’s post-draft rankings, moved up to Delmarva and was hitting .333/.383/.514 in 28 games before last night.

“He created an impact from Day One in the league,” Frias said.

Outfielder Stiven Martinez, 17, advanced from the Dominican Summer League to the FCL this season and had a .388 on-base percentage, seven doubles, three triples, three home run, 20 RBIs and 32 walks in 45 games before last night. MLB Pipeline ranks Martinez, who received $950,000 during the 2024 international signing period, as the No. 12 prospect in the system. Baseball America has him 16^th.

“He has handled himself as a true pro,” Frias said. “He’s got, probably, the highest ceiling of all our players down here because he’s just 17, and the things he’s able to do. The things he’s done so far at 17 is very impressive.”

The FCL roster lists catchers Ike Irish and Caden Bodine, the first two Orioles selections in this year’s draft, but includes the notation that they haven’t reported. Time ran out to get them into any games.

“I don’t anticipate them being on the active roster or playing for us unless something changes in the near future,” Frias said. “But I wouldn’t count on them being active.”

Irish and Bodine can work out with other players and various Orioles coordinators at the complex.

“Once the FCL season is done," Frias said, "we kind of blend those guys together and have workouts together, like with new drafted players, new signees and our FCL roster if we don’t send any guys to Delmarva or the next level.”

Left-hander Keegan Akin tossed a scoreless inning Monday and struck out two batters in his injury rehab start in the FCL.

“He looked fine,” Frias said. “He was pumping strikes like he always does. He was very efficient with his inning that he pitched. I’m sure he’s excited to move on and continue his rehab assignment, and hopefully see him in the big leagues soon.”

* The Orioles announced a late roster move yesterday with outfielder Dylan Carlson’s return from Norfolk. Shortstop Luis Vázquez was optioned.

Carlson has appeared in 41 games with the Orioles and batted .234/.271/.378 with four doubles and four home runs. He was recalled March 31 after Colton Cowser fractured his left thumb, optioned April 4 when Gunnar Henderson was reinstated from the injured list, recalled April 26 when Tyler O’Neill went on the IL, optioned May 14 when Ramón Urías was reinstated from the IL, recalled four days later when O’Neill returned to the IL, optioned June 28 when the Orioles selected Emmanuel Rivera’s contract, recalled July 1 when Chadwick Tromp went on the IL and optioned two days later with O’Neill reinstated.

Having multiple minor league options was a large part of Carlson’s appeal to the Orioles, who signed him to a $975,000 contract on Jan. 27.

The immediate question upon hearing yesterday’s news was, why did the Orioles bring him back and option an infielder? O’Neill wasn’t in the lineup, which led to some speculation about his health. A friend immediately asked whether a Cedric Mullins trade was in the works.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino told the media in Cleveland that O’Neill has “general soreness” but could be available by Thursday afternoon, when the Guardians start left-hander Logan Allen.

* Tromp’s rehab assignment moved from Delmarva to Aberdeen last night and he went 1-for-5 with a single.

The Orioles will be adjusting their catching setup. Adley Rutschman starts behind the plate tonight with Norfolk on his rehab assignment and could return this weekend. Does Tromp regain his backup role when he’s ready, or do the Orioles keep Jacob Stallings or Alex Jackson?

Mansolino told the media in Cleveland that Maverick Handley is close to leaving concussion protocol but will see a hand/wrist specialist, so he doesn’t sound particularly close to returning.

* Chesapeake’s Trace Bright worked the last five innings in relief after Levi Wells started, and he held Altoona scoreless with one hit allowed, one walk and eight strikeouts to earn the win.

Wells allowed an unearned run and one hit with five strikeouts in 3 1/3.

MLB Pipeline ranks Bright as the No. 25 prospect. A pitcher’s record isn’t really important, but Young went 0-11 with the Baysox last season and is 2-7 this year.

* The Orioles will make a roster move later today by reinstating Zach Eflin from the injured list. Eflin is starting against the Guardians, who have won the first two games of the series.

A corresponding move also is coming. Does Brandon Young get optioned? Is a reliever sent down?

Stay tuned.