If you look at the statistics of some of the top Orioles' minor league batters from the 2010 season, one stat that may jump out at you is the strikeout totals. O's hitters finished first and second in the Eastern League in strikeouts in 2010 while Baltimore farmhands were first, second and fifth in the Carolina League. Brandon Waring fanned 179 times last season to lead the Eastern League with Tyler Henson second with 156. Frederick's Ronnie Welty was first in the Carolina League with 159...

Manager Jim Riggleman has talked about it before. Build solid defense up the middle and your pitching staff will look a whole lot better. The Nationals already have a Gold Glove third baseman in Ryan Zimmerman. This year they added a quality glove at first base in Adam LaRoche. Now, they hope the pairing of two young, energetic infielders at shortstop and second base will protect their defense for seasons to come. Shortstop Ian Desmond said he was disappointed in his defense last season....

SARASOTA, Fla. - I wanted to pass along a few more items before I pack up my laptop and head out of here. Manager Buck Showalter is still leaning toward batting Derrek Lee third and Vladimir Guerrero fourth. It isn't written in ink, but that's the assumed order. And that's fine with both of them. Lee continues to hit soft tosses in the indoor cage. He could be ready for live batting practice in a week while recovering from thumb surgery. Guerrero also has been hitting indoors. I've seen...

SARASOTA, Fla. -The Orioles will modify pitcher Luis Lebron's throwing program by keeping him on flat ground, rather than having him participate in the usual bullpen sessions. Lebron underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in May, and manager Buck Showalter wants to make sure he doesn't push himself while attempting to keep up with the other pitchers in camp. Lebron has thrown two sides sessions since pitchers and catchers reported last weekend. "It's not a setback....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Most of the pitchers have come off the field and are in the weight room or eating lunch at their lockers. A group of position players are taking batting practice on the back fields. Luke Scott has trimmed his beard. He'll have to shave it off tomorrow morning. Vladimir Guerrero is still sporting his goatee. We'll see whether he shaves it off tomorrow morning. We're still waiting to see Guerrero hit on the field. Left-hander Alberto Castillo is on the minor league side of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's a slow day at camp, with positions players not required to be here until 6 p.m. and pitchers not throwing off a mound. I've been reduced to coming up with titles that really have nothing to do with this entry, though I reference shortstop J.J. Hardy if you continue reading. Nick Markakis and Pedro Florimon are the only players who haven't reported. Markakis is in Sarasota and will be here later this afternoon. We have no idea about Florimon. I haven't heard a single...

SARASOTA, Fla. - We've wrapped up another workout day here in sunny Sarasota, where the back of your neck becomes hot enough to fry bacon. Right fielder Nick Markakis hasn't reported to camp, but he's in town. Nothing to worry about. Minor league infielder Pedro Florimon is the only real no-show. If you've seen him, please point him in the general direction of Ed Smith Stadium. Brad Bergesen threw a bullpen session after being sent back to the team hotel yesterday with virus-like...

SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee reported to camp today and hit some soft tosses in the indoor cage. He'll be ready to face live pitching in a week or so as he continues to recover from thumb surgery. "It's getting much better," he said. "I'm up to soft toss now, which is actually ahead of schedule." Lee signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal after the Orioles made offers to Victor Martinez, Adam Dunn and Adam LaRoche. He's projected to hit third ahead of Vladimir...

Fans can come up with some interesting theories. One I saw recently was that the reason it was taking so long for Vladimir Guerrero to get his Orioles physical was because he was having second thoughts about signing with the club and would end up elsewhere even after agreeing to terms. Then I saw the headline on Peter Schmuck's Baltimore Sun column that read, "Guerrero looks a bit subdued in signing with the Orioles." Oh, no, I know what is coming next. "See, he really doesn't want to...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee hit in the indoor cage today. Felix Pie played catch this morning with new teammate Vladimir Guerrero, the future Hall of Famer who could cost him the starting job in left field. No hard feelings, I suppose. Luke Scott is expected to play left field while Guerrero serves as the full-time designated hitter. Pie, who set career highs last year in average (.274), hits (79), runs (39), doubles (15), triples (five) and RBIs (31), might have to settle for a reserve...