The Orioles are still targeting Charlie Manuel in their search for a new hitting coach, according to sources, and they should know later this week whether he's willing to fill the position. The Phillies would need to give their permission for the Orioles to conduct a formal interview with Manuel and he'd need to demonstrate that he wants the job. The first step shouldn't be an issue, but Manuel has been reluctant to throw his hat into the ring. Manuel initially declined the Orioles' offer,...

The Orioles will have some pretty good pitching prospects at all four of their full-season minor league affilates when the new seasons begin in April. We certainly don't know the rosters yet, and this is all subject to change, but here's taking a guess at where some pitchers could be with the starting rotations for Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, Single-A Frederick and Single-A Delmarva come 2015. Five pitchers that could wind up in the Norfolk rotation, either on opening day, or at some...

By almost any standard, Dave Wallace's first season as Orioles pitching coach was a real success. The Orioles' 3.43 team ERA ranked third in the American League, behind only Seattle at 3.17 and Oakland at 3.22. This was for a team that won 96 games, played for the American League pennant and tied for the second-best record in the majors. The Orioles had four different starting pitchers (Chris Tillman, Wei-Yin Chen, Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalez) record 10 or more wins for the first time...

When the Orioles drafted right-hander David Hess in the fifth round out of Tennessee Tech last June, Hess pointed out that he had played for the O's in Little League and now he was an Oriole again. Signed by scout Adrian Dorsey, the 21-year-old Hess had pitched out of the bullpen his first two years in college and was a starter as a junior. He got a slightly under-slot bonus of $280,000 to sign. Last season for Tennessee Tech, Hess went 9-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 16 starts. Over 97 1/3 innings,...

Yep, it's about that time again. Today we present the latest edition of 10 question for Orioles fans, and it comes about one month after the second one which came one month after the first one. It is again time to survey Birdland. Answer one question, two, three or all 10. Provide a one or two-word answer or one that is longer. It is completely your choice. Please put the question number before your answer, as it is easier to keep it all straight that way. No need to repeat the question in...

In recent days, we have heard both Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter talk up Chris Davis. They have said they believe in him and expect him to have a bounceback season in 2015. Whether they truly believe that or are just being supportive of a key player, they have lent some public support to Davis at a time when he probably could use it. For Davis, 2014 was a season that could have gone a lot better. He ended the year serving a 25-game suspension for...

Hoops and hardball. Orioles minor league pitcher Pat Connaughton is real good at both. Soon his concentration and efforts will be fully devoted to baseball and then the Orioles are anxious to see how he will do. The Orioles drafted the 6-foot-5 right-hander in the fourth round out of Notre Dame in June. The two-sport standout is currently averaging 12.7 points per game for the Notre Dame basketball team. Connaughton scored his 1,000th point for the Irish on Nov. 15, but come spring training he...

In the second half of the 2013 season, right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez went 6-5 with a 1.82 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 84 innings over 13 starts for the Cleveland Indians. That strong finish to his season helped Jimenez land a four-year, $50 million contract with the Orioles in February. But Jimenez had a rough first season with the Orioles, lost his rotation spot in mid-August and this year pitched to an ERA of 5.96 after the All-Star break. Owed $38.75 million over the next three seasons,...

All six managers, from the rookie-level Gulf Coast League up through Triple-A Norfolk, will return to manage Orioles affiliates next season. Three will return to their 2014 teams, while three will be with new clubs in 2015. The Orioles have not confirmed this or made any announcements yet about their 2015 minor league staff, but Ron Johnson is expected to return to manage at Triple-A Norfolk, Gary Kendall will return to Double-A Bowie and Ryan Minor is expected to return to Single-A...

The Orioles have hired Kristen Hudak, a former MASN and ESPN employee, as their new public relations director. Hudak, who spent the past 3 1/2 years at ESPN, will oversee the public relations department, including corporate communications, media relations, online communications, photography and team publications. She will begin her duties on Dec. 29, reporting directly to Greg Bader, the Orioles vice president of communications and marketing. As a senior publicist at ESPN, Hudak generated...