Coming in at No. 7 on Baseball America's Top 10 Nationals prospects is right-hander Cole Kimball, who made a meteoric rise up the rankings with a very successful 2010 in several challenging leagues. The 25-year old Kimball was ranked fourth among minor league hurlers in the Nats organization in 2009, after posting 122 strikeouts for Single-A Hagerstown in 2008. The 2006 12th-round selection was so good this year, he was rewarded with a place on the 40-man roster last month. Aaron Fitt of...

In a few hours, I'll be heading to Ocean Pines to visit my parents, sister and niece. We celebrate the holidays when we're able to gather together. The actual date is insignificant. It also happens when my father finishes shoveling more than a foot of snow from his driveway. Thanks, Dad! As I await the opportunity to feel the warm embrace of my loving family, and eat until I'm dizzy, I wanted to pass along a story that makes me appreciate these moments a little bit more, and also offers...

Do the Orioles need to add starting pitching? I say the answer to that question is a clear yes. Others may say the Orioles already have six pitchers for five starting spots in Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen, Chris Tillman and Zach Britton. The only problem with that thinking is that having even six is not enough. Not over a full season. The Orioles used nine pitchers to start games last year and 12 in 2009. No doubt, both Tillman and Britton will get their...

My trip to Ocean Pines has been delayed until tomorrow after the area was blanketed by more than a foot of snow. Meanwhile, it's a sunny morning in Sykesville and that light dusting is gone. It must be those 50 mph winds. I thought my car might end up in another parking spot. I asked a few days ago which teams besides the Orioles and Nationals were looking for a first baseman. The Padres reached agreement with Brad Hawpe and the Rangers appear to have settled on Mitch Moreland. As for...

Greetings from Alabama where it snowed here in Birmingham for the first time ever! (That is the rumor.) I am here with George Washington basketball as they take on Alabama-Birmingham tonight. As we did in Oregon last week, how about all the major league ball players from Alabama? Okay, so that would take awhile. The list is much longer than in Oregon, headed by all-time players like Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Ozzie Smith, Bo Jackson, George Foster and Willie Mays plus former Nats outfielder...

It is hard to project what the Orioles batting order could or should be for the 2011 season since all the parts are not in place yet. But I still think the most effective top of the order, or top three spots in the order, could be with Brian Roberts batting first, Adam Jones second and Nick Markakis third. I suspect many fans first thought about this will be negative. They don't see the free-swinging Jones as a number two hitter at all and most realize Markakis statistically hits better...

I was afraid to look out my window this morning, figuring that the snow would be piling up and I'd be making another frantic search for my gloves. I raced to the grocery store because I needed milk and water. I hate being that guy, but I was out. (I skipped the bread and toilet paper.) I raced to the gym and kept one eye on the parking lot - a surefire way to get a headache - so I could bolt as the first snowflake fell. More than two hours later, I'm still waiting for that first flake....

Nationals prospect first baseman Chris Marrero had another solid year at Double-A Harrisburg and followed that up with a superb campaign in the Puerto Rican winter league. Last month, the Nats placed Marrero in the 40-man roster. Marrero was impressive, to say the least, with the Senators, batting .294 in 141 games, smacking 18 homers with 82 RBIs. That included 154 hits, 28 doubles and 73 runs scored. Showing it was no fluke, he continued to hit well for Ponce, batting .306 in 26 games with...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all. I wasn't expecting to see snow this morning, but it looks like we got a light dusting in Sykesville (as opposed to a heavy dusting.) Just give me clear roads on Monday. That's all I'm asking. I didn't find a first baseman under the tree. I'm not sure what I would have done with him, so maybe it's for the best. My Hall of Fame ballot arrived in the mail a few days ago. Finally, I have the power to get Kirk Rueter into...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone in Birdland! Thanks for all you do to keep this blog popular and please know that I never take you for granted. No great baseball thoughts today, except one small one. I hope all long-suffering O's fans realize that anyone can easily root for a winner. Being an Orioles' fan is tough. I know, I've been one for over 40 years. I've seen the glory years and World Championships and I've seen everything since that 1983 win over the Phillies and...