Some players worked on specific and targeted plans to improve their games

After spending about a week at spring training, one impression that struck me is how hard some players worked over the winter to get better. And it’s not just the hard work they put in, but that much of it is very specific, very targeted, and there is a clear plan at work. 

It is one of many things this organization is doing well right now. They take good players and make many of them better. Heck, they have taken some little-known players and some that once looked like longshots to make and/or help the team and turned them into All-Stars.

That has happened over the last few years for relievers Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano. Both were 2023 All-Stars for the Orioles.

Bautista’s first pro year was 2012 with Miami. The Marlins released him in 2016. On Aug. 4, 2016 the Orioles signed him. Through 2018 on their watch he never got out of rookie ball. In 2019 and 2021, he walked nearly six batters per nine innings on the farm. That same pitcher had a 3.5 walk rate and 1.85 ERA in 2022 and 2023. In the big leagues.

Cano in 2022 gave up 23 runs in 18 major league innings. A year later he started the season lights-out with the Orioles, was an All-Star and had a 2.11 ERA.

During my time in camp, I did this interview with Coby Mayo, who told me the coaches suggested he lower his arm slot when throwing across the diamond from third base for greater accuracy. The move worked and the kid is getting as many raves for his defense in Florida as for his potent bat. But his bat is still pretty good, as evidenced by his latest strong game on Saturday in North Port.

Also in Florida, Ryan O’Hearn told me about some specific plans he had to get better. In general terms, he would like to improve his walk rate. But in more specific terms, he wants to try to do that with a better performance and results when seeing a 3-2 pitch.

Pitcher Albert Suárez had a stunning outing on Monday in Clearwater. He fanned seven in three scoreless innings, getting 12 whiffs on 23 swings. His fastball touched 97.5 mph.

Signed as a minor league free agent last September, he told the media that after signing with the Orioles, he spent two weeks in Sarasota with coaches who suggested some adjustments he could make to add some velocity. It worked. When he pitched in 2016-2017 with the Giants he was throwing 92, 93. 

“I started (making these adjustments) when I signed with the Orioles last year. I came to Sarasota for two weeks and they sat down with me and talked about small adjustments and I’ve been working since then. I went to Venezuela to pitch winter ball and I was working there too. That’s a big help."

He's now fanned nine with no walks in five scoreless spring innings, producing a 0.40 WHIP. going into his outing today.

These are just a few examples from just one week of one reporter covering spring training. There are clearly many, many more stories like these, some told and some not. Several players, with guidance from coaches and others in the organization, are working to make themselves better. As individuals improve, so can the team. 

Sometimes you can take that to win 101 games and a division championship.