O's face some tough calls on 40-man adds before Rule 5
O's face some tough calls on 40-man adds before Rule 5
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Last November, the Orioles added four players to their 40-man roster to protect those players from being selected in the December Rule 5 draft. They added Ryan Mountcastle, Keegan Akin, Dean Kremer and Ryan McKenna. How many players will the Orioles add next month? They've got a list of quality players eligible for this year's Rule 5. But even with a lengthy list of players who they clearly like, it is still hard for a player to make the 40-man roster. Every year, it seems there is much angst...
Was strong finish enough for Fedde to earn spot in rotation?
Was strong finish enough for Fedde to earn spot in rotation?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Our offseason player review series continues today with Erick Fedde, who showed improvement after getting a chance to stick in the rotation. PLAYER REVIEW: ERICK FEDDE Age on opening day 2021: 28 How acquired: First-round pick, 2014 draft MLB service time: 2 years, 99 days 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $208,704) Contract status: Possibly arbitration-eligible in 2021, free agent in 2025 2020 stats: 2-4, 4.29 ERA, 11 G, 8 GS, 0 CG, 50 1/3 IP, 47 H, 25 R, 24 ER, 10 HR, 22 BB, 28 SO, 3 HBP, 1.371...
Will the Orioles go position player with another high draft pick?
Will the Orioles go position player with another high draft pick?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
There was no announcement or press release from Major League Baseball. But numerous outlets this week reported that the order of the First-Year Player Draft is set for 2021. The Orioles will have the No. 5 pick in the first round. After speculation that MLB would use the reverse standings, as always, for the draft order, several outlets confirmed this week that will be the case. After selecting No. 1 overall in 2019 and No. 2 in June, the O's will pick after Pittsburgh, Texas, Detroit and...
Despite some rocky moments, Hudson feels good heading to offseason
Despite some rocky moments, Hudson feels good heading to offseason
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The 2020 season did not go as planned for the Nationals on many levels. Reliever Daniel Hudson was one of those players who was never really able get rolling like he wanted to. In 21 appearances, Hudson finished 3-2 with a 6.10 ERA and a team- and career-high 10 saves. Contrast those numbers with the 24 games he played last season when traded to the Nats. Hudson went 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA and six saves. This year, he allowed 2.6 home runs per nine innings; last year in D.C. it was just 1.1. His...
Taylor's time with Nats ends after outfielder clears waivers
Taylor's time with Nats ends after outfielder clears waivers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Michael A. Taylor spent the better part of six seasons teetering on the fringes of the Nationals roster, perpetually in danger of losing his spot but always managing to stick around because of the club's needs and his penchant for playing well enough at just the right moments to merit it. The outfielder's time with the Nats, though, finally ran out today when the club announced he cleared outright waivers and elected to become a free agent. As they embark on what is expected to be a...
Bevy of shortstops won't bump Henderson from position
Bevy of shortstops won't bump Henderson from position
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
While the Orioles wait to make official their decision to pick up the option on José Iglesias' contract, the only potential glitch tied to finances, they're in the developmental stages with a handful of shortstop prospects who could vie for the position. Don't bother checking out the fall instructional camp in Sarasota, Fla. because it's closed to the public, but the group of 55 includes Baseball America No. 8 organizational prospect Gunnar Henderson, No. 10 Jordan Westburg, No. 15 Adam...
Draft selections impressing in fall instructional camp
Draft selections impressing in fall instructional camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The inability to put this year's draft selections in the 60-man player pool motivated the Orioles to get them work in the fall instructional league. At least five of the six, with outfielder Heston Kjerstad unavailable due to a non-sports medical issue. Director of player development Matt Blood is down in Sarasota, Fla., to observe, among many things, the raw skills and the progress made by shortstops Jordan Westburg and Anthony Servideo, outfielder Hudson Haskin, third baseman Coby Mayo and...
After disappointing year, Voth right back where he started
After disappointing year, Voth right back where he started
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Our offseason player review series continues today with Austin Voth, who struggled mightily during his first extended opportunity in the Nationals rotation. PLAYER REVIEW: AUSTIN VOTH Age on opening day 2021: 28 How acquired: Fifth-round pick, 2013 draft MLB service time: 1 year, 127 days 2020 salary: $568,900 (prorated $210,704) Contract status: Under team control, could be arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2026 2020 stats: 2-5, 6.34 ERA, 11 GS, 1 CG, 49 2/3 IP, 57 H, 36 R, 35 ER, 14...
Taking a look at the Orioles' solid outfield depth
Taking a look at the Orioles' solid outfield depth
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When spring training for the 2021 season begins, the Orioles could be looking at a logjam. It presents a bit of a problem, but yes, it is a good problem to deal with. They may have too many quality outfielders for too few spots, especially if you add in players yet to make it to Baltimore. This is not a surprise to us, as it's been coming for a while. And this problem, if we do even call it that, could sort itself out as many baseball roster crunches do. There could be injuries, players sent...
More on instructional league, bullpen and a Hall of Famer's birthday
More on instructional league, bullpen and a Hall of Famer's birthday
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are going to take the competitive side of their fall instructional league to the next level. Games will be played with teams from other camps beginning on Monday. Thus far, the Orioles have been arranging intrasquad matchups, which started this week, similar to the activity this summer at the alternate site in Bowie. The Pirates and Rays will provide the opposition as two of the three closest teams to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The Pirates are based in Bradenton and the Rays in...