In December 2020, the Orioles signed Nick Ciuffo to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training as their annual move to improve their catching depth and increase competition for the backup job. Only, in this instance, they didn't target the typical veteran experience. They signed Bryan Holaday and Taylor Davis to minor league deals on the same day in January 2020. They broke camp with Jesús Sucre and Pedro Severino in 2019. Austin Wynns was on the injured list. He could be...

The truest reset for Paul Fry didn't start until he returned to his Michigan home. Fry never got back to Camden Yards after the Orioles optioned him following another disastrous outing against the Rays on Aug. 29. He figured to make a pit stop at Triple-A Norfolk, with a few scoreless appearances leading to his recall, but his command remained an issue until time ran out. The left-hander registered a 1.78 ERA in his first 26 appearances and briefly served as closer, but he had a 11.05 ERA over...

Maybe it is a real thing about baseball fans, particularly Orioles fans. Can there be rebuilding fatigue? Can the losses mount so much that fans just get worn out by rebuilding? And while they may understand it is needed and could very well lead to better days, the patience to get to those better days starts to wear thin? It is probably only natural. But Orioles fans are a pretty loyal group. We see that in so many coming to this website day after day after day. Fans still watching and...

PLAYER REVIEW: ALCIDES ESCOBAR Age on opening day 2022: 35 How acquired: Traded from Royals for cash considerations, July 2021 MLB service time: 10 years, 3 days 2021 salary: $1 million Contract status: Signed for $1 million in 2022, free agent in 2023 2021 stats: 75 G, 349 PA, 319 AB, 53 R, 92 H, 21 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 3 SB, 0 CS, 17 BB, 56 SO, .288 AVG, .340 OBP, .404 SLG, .744 OPS, 105 OPS+, minus-4 DRS (at SS), 1 DRS (at 2B), 1.7 fWAR, 1.5 bWAR Quotable: "Ever since the first moment I...

The Washington Nationals selected the following players as their 2021 Minor League Award winners: * Player of the Year - infielder/outfielder Jake Noll * Pitcher of the Year - right-hander Cade Cavalli * Defensive Player of the Year - outfielder Donovan Casey * Baserunner of the Year - infielder Jordy Barley * "Nationals Way" Award - infielder/outfielder Jack Dunn Noll, 27, led Washington's Minor League system in batting average (.300), doubles (28), RBI (69), slugging percentage (.494), OPS...

"Stowers Power" was indeed a thing on the Orioles farm in 2021. Lefty-hitting Kyle Stowers led all O's minor league players in homers and RBIs, and was third among full-season players in OPS. It was a breakout year for the corner outfielder who turns 24 in January. Tomorrow, he will join seven other O's players on the Mesa Solar Sox when the Arizona Fall League season begins. Stowers and Adley Rutschman were co-winners of the Brooks Robinson Award as the Orioles' Minor League Player of the...

PLAYER REVIEW: LUIS GARCÍA Age on opening day 2022: 21 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2016 MLB service time: 1 year, 37 days 2021 salary: $570,500 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2024, free agent in 2027 2021 stats: 70 G, 247 PA, 236 AB, 29 R, 57 H, 18 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 0 SB, 2 CS, 11 BB, 43 SO, .242 AVG, .275 OBP, .411 SLG, .686 OPS, 86 OPS+, 1 DRS (at 2B), minus-3 DRS (at SS), minus-0.2 fWAR, 0.3 bWAR Quotable: "He's made...

The Orioles must tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players by Dec. 2, assuming they can conduct business on that date. The collective bargaining agreement expires the previous day. I yearn for the days when CBA made me think "Continental Basketball Association." Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has decisions pending on eight players - Trey Mancini, Anthony Santander, John Means, Jorge López, Pedro Severino, Pat Valaika, Paul Fry and Tanner Scott....

The Nationals have another opening on their coaching staff to fill after learning hitting coach Kevin Long is leaving to take a position with the Phillies. Long, the club's hitting coach since 2018, was invited to return in 2022 but was free to seek other employment because his contract was expiring. He chose to join Joe Girardi's staff in Philadelphia, where he'll be reunited with slugger Bryce Harper, a source familiar with the decision confirmed. Long's departure, which was first...

PLAYER REVIEW: JOSH BELL Age on opening day 2022: 29 How acquired: Traded from Pirates for RHP Wil Crowe and RHP Eddy Yean, December 2020 MLB service time: 5 years, 53 days 2021 salary: $6.35 million Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2023 2021 stats: 144 G, 568 PA, 498 AB, 75 R, 130 H, 24 2B, 1 3B, 27 HR, 88 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 65 BB, 101 SO, .261 AVG, .347 OBP, .476 SLG, .823 OPS, 124 OPS+, minus-1 DRS (at 1B), 2 DRS (at LF), 1.4 fWAR, 3.1 bWAR Quotable: "This is a guy...