As Orioles manager Buck Showalter waited to board his flight back to Dallas last week after spending a few days checking out prospects in the Arizona Fall League, he again brought up catcher Michael Ohlman's name without any prompting. He wasn't led in a particular direction during our brief phone conversation. He went there by himself. Ohlman had another impressive game today for the Surprise Saguaros, hitting a three-run homer in an 8-6 victory over Salt River. He also walked and scored...

Outfielder Stephen Souza Jr. is excited to be able to continue his season playing in the Arizona Fall League, even if it is only two games a week. Souza is on Mesa's taxi squad, which means he is eligible to play Wednesday and Saturday each week for the Solar Sox. Souza's first week went so well he was nominated for Player of the Week even though he played in just two games and everyone else had the opportunity to play in at least six contests. "It is going great," Souza said of his...

The Orioles have claimed three of the eight position player spots on the 2013 Sporting News American League All-Star team, as first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop J.J. Hardy and outfielder Adam Jones made the team. The team was selected by a panel of 17 AL general managers and assistant GMs. Davis hit .286 with 42 doubles, 53 homers, 138 RBIs and a 1.004 OPS. He led the AL in homers, RBIs and extra-base hits. He had 21 more extra-base hits with 96 than Mike Trout, who finished second with 75....

One lucky fan to win Trick-or-Treating with the Oriole Bird. In the spirit of the season, the Orioles today announced a pumpkin carving contest for fans with a grand prize of trick-or-treating with the Oriole Bird. Fans may enter by carving an Orioles-themed pumpkin and posting a photo of their creation using the hashtag #OsPumpkin on a public Instagram account. The entry period begins today and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 27. Orioles' staff members will then judge the...

I'm going to give you the stat lines of two right-handed starters who were set to enter the offseason as free agents. These stat lines contain each player's numbers over the last two seasons. For the sake of a decent chuckle, let's compare the two, shall we? Player X: 20-29, 4.76 ERA, 383 2/3 IP, 72 ERA+, 1.389 WHIP, 1.0 HR/9, 3.9 BB/9, 9.0 K/9, 2.31 K/BB Player Y: 22-27, 4.50 ERA, 346 1/3 IP, 84 ERA+, 1.265 WHIP, 1.5 HR/9, 1.8 BB/9, 7.6 K/9, 4.25 K/BB Player X just landed himself a...

Mesa fell to Surprise 4-2 on Tuesday in Arizona Fall League play. The Solar Sox had an early 1-0 lead, and held that advantage until the bottom of the sixth, when the Saguaros tied the game. Mesa then retook the lead 2-1 in the seventh, and Surprise had a surprise waiting for Mesa in the bottom of the inning (you knew I had to try it sometime during the season) by scoring three runs off the bullpen to win the game 4-2. Omar Dunn blew the save, allowing three runs in 2/3 of an...

In March, the Orioles hired former major leaguer Nelson Norman to serve as the director of baseball operations in the Dominican Republic. Norman oversees all aspects of the organization's Dominican program and managed one of its two teams this year in the Dominican Summer League. A former major league infielder born in San Pedro de Macoris, Norman, 54, has more than two decades of experience in player development in both the United States and the Dominican Republic with Montreal, Atlanta,...

Rich Dubee interviewed yesterday for the position of Orioles pitching coach. Carl Willis will meet today with a group that includes manager Buck Showalter, executive vice president Dan Duquette and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. Who's got next? Rangers bullpen coach Andy Hawkins and Braves minor league pitching coordinator Dave Wallace also will interview. Those are the four confirmed outside candidates. "Whoever they pick will probably be overqualified for the...

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez made his third start today for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, allowing one run and one hit in three innings. He walked two, struck out three and threw 27 of his 44 pitches for strikes. Rodriguez, 20, has permitted four runs and seven hits in 8 2/3 innings for a 4.15 ERA, with five walks and eight strikeouts. Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent a few days watching the Saguaros before flying back to Dallas, and director of player development...

Another candidate for the Nationals' managerial job has emerged, as the team recently interviewed Blue Jays bench coach DeMarlo Hale, a source familiar with the situation confirmed this afternoon. Hale joins Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams and Padres executive Brad Ausmus as external candidates to have interviewed for the Nationals' managerial opening. Nats bench coach Randy Knorr and third base coach Trent Jewett are the two clear candidates from within the organization. Hale...