Our offseason player review series continues today with Carter Kieboom, who got a chance to be the Nationals' everyday third baseman but did little to ensure he'll retain it. PLAYER REVIEW: CARTER KIEBOOM Age on opening day 2021: 23 How acquired: First-round pick, 2016 draft MLB service time: 150 days (prorated) 2020 salary: $564,700 (prorated $177,954) Contract status: Under club control, likely arbitration-eligible in 2023, likely free agent in 2027 2020 stats: 33 G, 122 PA, 99 AB, 15 R, 20...

It was sad to learn that Baltimore sportscasting legend Vince Bagli died yesterday at 93. He certainly lived a full and wonderful life and touched so many people along the way. Seeing the tributes pour in, it seemed like every reporter/writer/broadcaster knew him well and at one time got mentorship and/or words of wisdom from Vince. Usually, it started with him asking you questions: Were you doing OK? How was your family? They treating you well at work? There was a simple charm about Vince as...

Utility infielder Jake Noll was called up mid-September and got to play in seven games with the Nationals. As he had done all season long at the alternate training site, he continued to swing the bat well. From Sept. 15-27, Noll hit .353 (6-for-17) with one double, two runs scored and just four strikeouts. "It's a great opportunity," Noll said during the last weekend of the regular season. "I've been waiting for this chance to prove myself and prove I belong all year. I'm happy to be here...

Our offseason player review series continues today with Adam Eaton, who struggled through a rough season before having it abruptly end with a fractured finger. PLAYER REVIEW: ADAM EATON Age on opening day 2021: 32 How acquired: Traded from White Sox for Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López and Dane Dunning, December 2016 MLB service time: 8 years, 30 days 2020 salary: $9.5 million (prorated $3,518,519) Contract status: Club holds $10.5 million option (or $1.5 million buyout) for 2021 2020 stats: 41...

There are areas where we saw improvement during the 2020 Orioles season, but few as dramatic as the bullpen. The bullpen ERA improved by nearly two runs per game. And the 'pen changed from one that gave up a lot of homers and was among the easiest to get a hit off in the American League to a stingy one in allowing homers and much tougher to hit. At a time when bullpens are used more than ever and are more important than ever, the trend upward this season was big for the Orioles. The 'pen...

Given an opportunity to re-examine the list of players assigned to the fall instructional league, I was bound to come across a few names that prompted me to say something like, "Oh, yeah, that guy." The judges also would have accepted, "I totally forgot about that guy." Pitcher Dan Hammer struck me first. The Orioles selected Hammer in the 13th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. The name alone made him a good pick. It's the first thing we...

Our offseason player review series continues today with Victor Robles, who disappointed both at the plate and in the field after a promising rookie season . PLAYER REVIEW: VICTOR ROBLES Age on opening day 2021: 23 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2013 MLB service time: 2 years, 52 days 2020 salary: $592,800 (prorated $219,556) Contract status: Under club control, arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2025 2020 stats: 52 G, 189 PA, 168 AB, 20 R, 37 H, 5 2B, 1 3B, 3...

A five-item list is like air to a sportswriter. Not four, not six, not more. "Five things we learned" can't be altered or you'll be reassigned to the mailroom. And you don't get five warnings. We must have learned five things yesterday about the fall instructional league. I'll take a stab at it. * The plan to have all of the draft selections in Sarasota, Fla. was ruined. Outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the second overall pick from the University of Arkansas, can't make it to the Ed Smith...

Beyond discussing the setup for the Orioles fall instructional league camp that began Monday during a Zoom press conference yesterday, O's executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias briefly addressed the future minor league situation. It is one of much uncertainty and unanswered questions. The agreement between Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball has expired. The sides continue to negotiate a new agreement, one that is expected to see MLB take over minor league...

A pitcher's win total isn't supposed to matter, though it usually does to the pitcher. But Alex Cobb must be wondering what it's going to take for him to get a victory at Camden Yards. Since joining the Orioles in March 2018, Cobb has gone 0-11 with a 5.29 ERA in 18 starts in Baltimore. He's allowed 57 earned runs in 97 innings. And he's lost all 11 of his decisions. Because the baseball gods don't care about your feelings and an ERA above 5.00 can be just as unforgiving. Cobb posted a...