What will keep the fans invested in 2021?

It was about this time last year when I wrote something similar to this, asking what will keep fans engaged in 2020? Now it's time to ponder the same question about 2021. An obvious answer is the ability to get back to attending games. That goes without saying. We all want that back. But the interest level in this rebuilding team remains high, even though fans could not attend this past year.

So what is keeping the fans' interest right now? Here are a few possibilities.

The young pitchers arrive: Fans had to enjoy seeing Keegan Akin, Dean Kremer and Bruce Zimmermann combine to make 11 starts. The fact they threw strong games against the likes of the Blue Jays, Yankees, Braves and Rays was very encouraging. The Orioles went 5-4 when one from this trio started a game versus those four playoff teams.

But it was more than an ERA or won-loss record that was encouraging. It was the strikeout rates they posted - 10.0 for Akin, 9.6 for Kremer and 9.0 for Zimmermann. They showed the ability to miss bats and execute a game plan. They showed improved pitches and pitchability. They showed poise.

It was encouraging to see pitchers that looked like they might be nearly finished products or at least well down the line of their development. Now we wait to see how they do and the very early returns were encouraging. This year, the next wave could get its shot with pitchers like Zac Lowther, Alexander Wells and Michael Baumann. DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez - the organization's highest-ranked pitchers - are not too far behind them.

The young hitters arrive: Ryan Mountcastle showed up and had a strong debut. Not only did he hit as hoped, but he did so much else well and showed that some perceived weaknesses may not be. He ran well. He ranked among the top 22 percent of runners in sprint speed, per Statcast. He drew some walks and showed improved plate discipline. He hit to all fields with pop and his defense in left field was fine. He was not a liability and didn't hurt the team out there. It provides hope that he has finally found a defensive home.

If Mountcastle can make such improvements even without games last year, there must be some fan hopes for others still to come. A list that includes Yusniel Diaz, Ryan McKenna, Adam Hall, Rylan Bannon, and newly acquired players like Terrin Vavra and Tyler Nevin. Behind them is a young group of players near the top of the club's prospects list that includes Adley Rutschman, Heston Kjerstad and Gunnar Henderson.

Speaking of the minors: It will be interesting to see how the second year of the O's new pitching program looks in what we hope will be a '21 with at least some minor league games. In 2019, the first year under Chris Holt, who is now both pitching coach for the Orioles as well as director of pitching for the organization, the gains were very promising. Holt got everything started with the young arms on the farm and now will be waiting on some of them to enter the big league clubhouse. The O's hope for similar results with some of the hitting coaches they hired heading into 2020.

It will be fun to track the 2019 and 2020 draft classes as they get their first significant taste of the minors. We hope.

Rebuilds do not take place in defined stages, but it seems the Orioles have entered a new one - or did late in 2020. Some players, like Renato Núñez and Hanser Alberto, were cut loose and more players from the minors are heading to the big league team.

What will keep you invested as a fan in 2021?