Orioles outright Valaika, Eshelman and Wade
Orioles outright Valaika, Eshelman and Wade
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles outrighted four players off their 40-man roster yesterday to reduce the total to 35, as they continue to perform one of the more important offseason tasks leading into the Rule 5 draft in December. In addition to catcher Austin Wynns, whose disposition was reported yesterday, the Orioles also outrighted pitchers Thomas Eshelman and Konner Wade and infielder Pat Valaika, per the transactions page at MLB.com. The club hasn't announced the moves. Valaika was eligible again for...
Leftovers for breakfast
Leftovers for breakfast
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Different reasons exist for candidates to qualify for Comeback Player of the Year in the majors. It can be a productive return from a down season. It can be a return from a serious injury. Trey Mancini is a finalist in the Major League Baseball Players Association's Players Choice Awards after missing the 2020 season with Stage 3 colon cancer. Just typing that sentence makes him feel like the favorite over teammate Cedric Mullins and the Mariners' Mitch Haniger, but we'll find out Thursday...
The pitch mix and the one the O's threw more than any AL team
The pitch mix and the one the O's threw more than any AL team
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If we are going to consider and discuss the Orioles' 2021 pitching performance, you know the club will rank at or near the bottom of the American League in many team categories. For instance, they were last in team ERA at 5.84, which was just over a full run per game worse than Minnesota, next at 4.83. But we're not here today to hammer away at some rough pitching stats. Today, I wanted to take a look at the Orioles' 2021 pitch mix. This can be interesting to look at and size up how they...
Stevenson struggles as regular, but thrives off the bench
Stevenson struggles as regular, but thrives off the bench
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: ANDREW STEVENSON Age on opening day 2022: 27 How acquired: Second-round pick, 2015 draft MLB service time: 2 years, 127 days 2021 salary: $579,100 Contract status: Possibly arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2026 2021 stats: 109 G, 213 PA, 192 AB, 22 R, 44 H, 6 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB, 1 CS, 13 BB, 61 SO, .229 AVG, .294 OBP, .339 SLG, .632 OPS, 74 OPS+, 1 DRS, minus-0.1 fWAR, 0.1 bWAR Quotable: "I try to just mellow out. The bigger spots, the way I kind of look at...
Orioles outright Austin Wynns
Orioles outright Austin Wynns
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles performed more work on their 40-man roster this afternoon, outrighting catcher Austin Wynns after he cleared waivers, according to sources. Wynns can become a free agent. The 40-man is down to 38 players, the most recent move before today coming last week when the Diamondbacks claimed reliever Zack Burdi off waivers. Wynns, 30, batted .185/.232/.308 in 45 games, with four doubles, four home runs and 14 RBIs in 139 plate appearances. He threw out 11 of 29 runners attempting to steal...
Orioles to host Play Ball Days for Maryland youth
Orioles to host Play Ball Days for Maryland youth
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
Expanding upon Major League Baseball's Play Ball campaign, the Orioles will host Play Ball Days, presented by Nike, at local Maryland Title I schools to continue to grow the game of baseball, inspire recreational play in underserved areas, and teach life lessons including teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. From October 25 through October 29, the Orioles will host the outdoor Orioles-themed Play Ball Days in Title I elementary and middle schools in Baltimore City and their surrounding...
A little more on Mateo
A little more on Mateo
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
No one is handing a job in 2022 to the batch of Orioles in-house infield candidates beyond first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, which pretty much makes for a typical offseason in the rebuild. I'm confident that they'll sign at least one free agent, and perhaps to a major league deal. They could make another waiver claim, as they did with second baseman Yolmer Sánchez. Perhaps this time they'll keep him beyond spring training. I've made Ramón Urías a heavy favorite to stay with the...
Still the O's ace: A look at John Means' strong season
Still the O's ace: A look at John Means' strong season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
In 2019, left-hander John Means emerged as a surprising staff ace for the Orioles. No, he was not an ace, meaning a No. 1 pitcher, to rival the very best in the game, but he sure was the Orioles' ace. In 2021, were there still any doubters, Means proved he is still that. Outside of his own won-loss record, Means' stats in 2021 look a lot like his numbers in 2019 with a few improvements. You could look at his year broken into about three different seasons - there was a sizzling hot start to...
Mancini, Mullins and Mountcastle are MLBPA award finalists
Mancini, Mullins and Mountcastle are MLBPA award finalists
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have three finalists for the Major League Baseball Players Association's Players Choice Awards, which were announced today. Cedric Mullins and Trey Mancini are finalists, along with Mitch Haniger of Seattle, for the American League Comeback Player Award. Ryan Mountcastle joins Randy Arozarena of Tampa Bay and Adolis García of Texas as finalists for the MLBPA's Outstanding Rookie Award. A year after missing the entire 2020 season after treatment and chemotherapy for cancer,...
Is there one more shot for Robles or will Nats move on?
Is there one more shot for Robles or will Nats move on?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: VICTOR ROBLES Age on opening day 2022: 24 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2013 MLB service time: 3 years, 32 days 2021 salary: $614,000 Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2025 2021 stats: 107 G, 369 PA, 315 AB, 37 R, 64 H, 21 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 8 SB, 6 CS, 33 BB, 85 SO, .203 AVG, .310 OBP, .295 SLG, .605 OPS, 69 OPS+, minus-1 DRS, minus-0.5 fWAR, minus-0.3 bWAR Quotable: "I've said this before, and I mean this with all my...