McKenna relates to and rates newest 40-man members

Ryan McKenna grabbed his phone Friday evening after the Orioles announced which players were given spots on the 40-man roster to protect them in the Rule 5 draft.

He had some calls to make. And some memories to share.

McKenna enjoyed the same experience last year with his placement on the 40-man. Less of a certainty than outfielder/first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and pitchers Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer, but allowed to shed invite status in spring training.

It would be the highlight for McKenna, who lost a chance to play at Triple-A Norfolk and perhaps make his major league debut due to the cancellation of the minor league season.

The Orioles protected six players on Friday, the most since 2009. The 40-man is full, but only temporarily if they want to make a selection in the Rule 5 draft.

McKenna is working out in Houston after leaving the alternate camp site. He tracked the moves made that impacted friends and teammates.

"I reached out to most of those guys that I knew personally and congratulated them," he said. "It was a familiar thing that I went through, so I know the joy that kind of goes with that and just the transition of career.

"It's an exciting moment for you. It's a cool time for your family and you and you kind of reflect on all the work that led up to that moment and then the work that is still to come in the future. It's a cool thing and I was super, super happy for all those guys."

Outfielder Yusniel Diaz is the highest-rated prospect in the group and just needs consistent health and performance in order to finally reach the majors. The tools are there.

"Obviously, he's a good player. Came over from the Dodgers two years ago. I've played with him a good bit. A really good guy. I think he can contribute well," McKenna said.

"Then again, I'm also kind of chasing that job. I know he's in line or we're side by side with that going forward, but at the end of the day, you're trying to help the ballclub win and feel like you're deserving of the position. And I know he feels the same way. I wouldn't want him to feel any other way about the whole situation.

"He's a good player. He's definitely going to be an asset to the team."

Pitcher Michael Baumann is recovering from a flexor mass strain in his right forearm that cut short his exposure at the alternate camp site. He began the 2019 season at Single-A Frederick before moving up to Double-A Bowie and was a combined 7-6 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.048 WHIP in 24 games. He struck out 142 batters in 124 innings.

The Orioles assigned Baumann to Bowie on Oct. 5 before selecting his contract.

"Oh, yeah, Big Mike," McKenna said. "I think everyone should be super excited to see him at the best level. Most people who have been following him know what he's capable of. He's a very dominant presence on the mound. It's a good thing to be around as a teammate.

"His whole approach to the game is elite. Going forward I think it's going to be exciting watching him pitch in the big leagues."

Left-hander Zac Lowther could beat Baumann to the majors next summer after making 26 starts with Bowie and going 13-7 with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.115 WHIP in 148 innings. He's averaged more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings in three minor league seasons without having exceptional velocity.

"The more we dive into more of the spin rate and deception with him, I think he's very good at honing his craft," McKenna said. "He's got plus pitches all the way around. Maybe a little bit less on the velo with the fastball, but he makes that work and he plays with guys' balance at the plate very well. At a very, very high level.

"I think along with a lot of the guys we're adding to the roster, it's going to be exciting to watch him play.

Alexander Wells draws comparisons to Lowther based on his softer-tossing approach as a southpaw. He doesn't own the same strikeout rate but has walked only 1.4 batters per nine innings in four seasons. The Orioles chose him as their Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2017 after he walked 10 batters in 140 innings at low Single-A Delmarva.

"Wellsy is a great guy," McKenna said. "Crafty lefty. He'll fill up the zone, he works quickly, so playing behind him is always good. He doesn't give up too many runs. I think he had one of the lowest ERAs (2.95) in all of Double-A last year.

"Just playing behind him, it gives you a little bit of confidence in saying, 'Hey, he's going to go right after these guys.' Whether they hit the ball or not, you're ready, you're engaged in the game, and I think that's something to be valued. I know I feel at the plate, somebody's kind of attacking you, you can feel that presence. So it's a really cool thing to be a part of when he's throwing."

Reliever Isaac Mattson was viewed as vulnerable to a selection in the Rule 5 draft and the Orioles didn't want to risk it. He made 37 appearances last year between Single-A-Inland Empire, Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Salt Lake and went 6-3 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.009 WHIP while also averaging 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings and holding opponents to a .184 average.

McKenna's interactions with Mattson have been limited, but the former Angels prospect made a nice impression over the summer in Bowie.

"We came in in the back end of the alternate site, but I met him and he's a good dude," McKenna said. "I couldn't speak too much on his game play, I haven't seen him for an extended period of time so far, but I know he's a really good dude and I'm sure he's going to be great for the organization, as well."

McKenna has developed a strong friendship with infielder Rylan Bannon, who reached Triple-A Norfolk last year and hit .317/.344/.549 with 10 doubles and three home runs in 20 games. He has a career .375 on-base percentage in 291 minor league games.

"Rylan is my homie," McKenna said. "I'd say he's probably one of the guys I'm closest to in the organization, surprisingly, only being with us for two years. I plan on rooming with him in spring training.

"It's crazy how much pop that he can generate. He's got a really, really good swing. Defensively, he's very solid and makes very good plays, and I think he's a great add to our roster as an organization.

"I think they did a good job with everybody. It's going to be exciting. It's cool seeing everybody that we've been playing with in the minor leagues coming up through the system finally getting those opportunities in the limelight a little bit. It's going to be exciting. Baltimore should be excited about what's to come in the future."