The Orioles travel to Kansas City to end their seven game road trip after taking three of four against the White Sox in Chicago. While starting pitching has been stable the last few weeks and the offense has had its positive nights, the Orioles bullpen has a 4.45 ERA now, a stat that can kill any team late in games.
Royals hitting has always been their strong point. The brightest star this year so far has been Alex Gordon who had an 18 game hitting streak. Jeff Francoeur comes in a very close 2nd with 6 Home Runs to put him in the top 10 for the AL HR stat. Finally, Billy Butler is always a hitting threat especially for gap doubles that can really drive in base runners at Kauffman Stadium.
It took the Orioles until June 27th of last season to finally designate Garrett Atkins for assignment after he was hitting .214 with one home run, nine RBIs, and a .562 OPS in 152 plate appearances. The reason for waiting so long to remove him from the 40 man roster was his $4.5 million contract that was hanging over the heads of Orioles officials. If a young player during his arbitration years put up these Atkins-esque numbers, he would be easily pushed back to the minor leagues or released. The decision to cut Atkins was a simple one in the eyes of O’s fans, and probably became easier for the execs after they saw him consistently perform at a poor level for such an extended period of time.
Mike Gonzalez, one of the other high end contracts given out prior to the 2010 season, has definitely had his ups and downs in the Orioles system. After saving ten games (in seventeen chances, none the less) with a 2.42 ERA in 2009, Gonzalez came into Baltimore last year to be the team’s primary closer for two years. At least that’s what the organization had planned on.
The O’s and their eight game losing streak was no match to the six losses in a row that Boston began their season with. While the Orioles started off 6-1 and the Sox had a brutal 1-6 record at the beginning of April, things are evening out now, as the Birds have lost ten of their last twelve while Boston has captured wins in eight of their last nine matchups.
Catching a lineup and rotation like Boston brings during a hot streak can’t be good news for the Buck Showalter and the O’s. After losing by twelve to the Yankees on Saturday and then in an extra innings battle on Sunday, the Birds look to get back in the win column by taking advantage of any holes they can find in the Red Sox’ lineup. READ MORE >>>
The Orioles enter this week after being swept in Cleveland and New York, totaling a seven game losing steak (dating back to the loss in the second game of last Saturday’s doubleheader) that is certainly taking a toll on the team and its fans alike. The club, after starting the year on a 6-1 run, now is left at a 6-8 record, one that at first may not look too terrible, but is much worse when thinking about how that mark was reached.
The Minnesota Twins, currently sitting in last place in the extremely competitive AL Central at 5-10, have has issues all around the diamond, whether it be starting pitching, no spark in their offense, and trouble closing out games. Along with recently placing Joe Mauer on the DL with a viral infection retroactive to April 13th, it was just announced today that closer Joe Nathan would be removed from his role and replaced by Matt Capps for save situations after Nathan went 3-5 in save situations and has allowed five runs in five and a third innings pitched. READ MORE >>>
Manny Machado, the Orioles first round pick in last year’s MLB Draft, has had a hot start down in Delmarva playing for the A level Shorebirds. Through three full series now, a total of ten games, Machado is putting up impressive numbers throughout. Here’s a glimpse at his stats:
That bottom row, the totals for the season so far, is what sticks out to me as his solid bat skills right from the beginning in pro ball. Hosting a .361/.467/.500 line to begin the year is a very nice way for Machado to show the organization what he is truly capable of doing. Yes, these numbers are only through 36 at bats, but you have to start somewhere.
Four multi-hit games and a four walk game are the types of things we look for when it comes to consistency in a prospect position player, and despite not hitting a home run yet, Machado has added three doubles and a triple to his name.
His defense is supposedly also up to par to this point, a spot that many questioned as he came out of the draft as to if his bigger build could stick at shortstop.
Again, this is very early, but after Billy Rowell, the last infielder drafted by the Orioles, has struggled to make it past high A ball in the farm system, it is nice to see a hot start for the 18 year old Machado.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN posted this article yesterday titled “Pointing out the up-the-middle strength” in which he ranked the Orioles as the number three team in all of baseball for this skill set. Crasnick “surveyed 15 scouts and front office people and asked them to rate the top up-the-middle contingents in baseball today.”
The thought process behind the piece was that “defense is vital…but four slick fielders wielding Nerf bats won’t take a team to the promised land, so we asked our respondents to consider offense as well as glove work.” As to which positions meant the most in the rankings, “most baseball people rank catcher and/or shortstop at the top of the list.”
So who placed above the Orioles? Well, the Phillies grabbed the number one spot with catcher Carlos Ruiz, second baseman Chase Utley (I guess they were ignoring injuries), shortstop Jimmy Rollins, and center fielder Shane Victorino. The Yankees questionably grabbed the second tier with Russell Martin behind the dish, Robinson Cano at second base, Derek Jeter at shortstop, and Curtis Granderson in center field. I only question this due to Jeter being extremely overrated at this stage in his career.
Then came the Orioles. With Wieters, Roberts, Hardy, and Jones, Buck’s Birds finally placed high in the rankings of some sort. When you include a healthy Brian Roberts and a huge improvement at SS with J.J. Hardy, one must realize how strong the team’s up-the-middle contributions can be. READ MORE >>>
Hardy, acquired from the Minnesota Twins via trade this past off season, has hit .200 (3/15) through six games (all three hits were doubles) and has played a stellar defensive game at short.
This news, just another bit to add to the Orioles injury troubles that went on throughout Spring Training, means increased playing time for Cesar Izturis and Robert Andino, who will share the starting role at shortstop. READ MORE >>>
Yankee Stadium drew an average of 46,491 fans per game last season (highest in the majors). Fenway Park drew an average of 37,610 (8th in the majors). How about Camden Yards? 21,662. 24th in the majors. And I would wager a bet that out of the 1,733,018 total over the year that showed up to watch the Orioles play, roughly 450,000 (~25,000 per game) of those were Yankees and Red Sox fans who traveled down for the nine games played against their respective teams. Throw in the Mets series that seemingly loaded up the yard with an extra 75,000 broken down over three days, as well as the loyal groups of Twins and Nationals followers, and it wouldn’t surprise me if somewhere around one third of ticket holders (575,000) at Oriole Park last year were present to see the team facing the Orioles. Keeping in mind the big executives that fill up suites of workers discussing business transactions, the wives and girlfriends dragged out on date night to a baseball game, and baseball scouts, we have to remember that there are many variables that diminish the number of actual fans showing up to games with the clear objective of cheering for the O’s. I easily may have low-balled some of those numbers, but I wanted to keep it reasonable while still pushing the point.
Can I push fans to go to games? Maybe a few readers and friends here and there. Can the Orioles PR department bring the fan base back? A promotion here or there may draw kids or collectors in that want a freebie, but that’s not a consistent factor. So who will fans listen to?
Let’s hope people will hear Orioles CF Adam Jones out and decide to come down to Camden Yards to root on the home team this coming season. READ MORE >>>
The Orioles officially announced today via press release a majority of their plans for the new concession items in 2011. After partnering with Delaware North Sports Sportservice, the group has set off on their $11 million project to enhance the concession items sold at Oriole Park, as well as signage and menus, too.
New items at the Yard include crab cakes, Berger cookies, a new Big Boog sandwich, steak & egg sandwiches, and more!
Below, find some photos I recently took of some of the new concession stands as well as information about new menu items available at Oriole Park this coming season! READ MORE >>>
Earlier today, Jen Royle announced via her Twitter account (@JenRoyleMASN, which is sure to change as well) that she will be leaving her position with MASN Sports officially on March 31st and accepting a role with 105.7 The Fan. When it was announced a few months ago that the Orioles would be partnering with WBAL 1090 for game broadcasts, it became news that Jen Royle, who held jobs with both MASN and 105.7, would need to basically pick one side to stick with now that 105.7 would no longer be the flagship station for Orioles baseball. Royle tweeted to give the announcement to her followers:
Dear Baltimore and DC,
I’m ready to tell you – Due to CBS radio losing Orioles flagship, unfortunately my last day at MASN is March 31Mon Mar 21 18:50:28 via webJen Royle
JenRoyleMASN
While players generally do not start in more than two or three games in a row during Spring Training, therefore generally having multiple off days during the month, the Orioles as a whole have no game(s) today, meaning that the entire team has the chance to relax for the first time since arriving in mid-February. Whether they choose to work out, play catch, hit BP, sleep in, or spend time with family, here are the notes I have compiled from the Orioles first and only off day of the spring:
Jeremy Guthrie stayed on his pitching schedule today, pitching against the Minnesota Twins’ AAA squad. Guthrie pitched six innings, though getting twenty outs (extended innings to reach pitch count), throwing 82 pitches, 56 for strikes. He allowed one run on four hits, walked none, and struck out four.
Derrek Lee, who played his first game of the spring just two days ago, is still recovering from hitting a foul ball off of his left foot in that first game against the Phillies (in which he went 0-1 with a walk). Thankfully just a minor bruise of sorts, and not his wrist or thumb (which he said felt great after his first game), Lee could play tomorrow against the Yankees, Buck said. The option to DH him in the game seems to be the preferred choice as of now. He is day-to-day.
Koji Uehara is slated to pitch tomorrow after three plus weeks out of game action due to soreness in his elbow. After receiving a shot of cortisone back when the pain came up and then weeks of rest, Koji has thrown multiple bullpens and is feeling fine. He, too, is day-to-day.
Last we heard, Justin Duchscherer was throwing from as far as 130 feet and is supposed to throw a bullpen soon (if he hasn’t already). With him, we will never know exactly what’s going on. He is day-to-day as well, with a cautious tag before it. READ MORE >>>
When the Orioles went out and signed Kevin Gregg this off-season, most assumed it would lead to a closer competition between him and Koji Uehara. With Koji out with elbow discomfort the last week or so, Gregg has had the opportunity to really prove himself after saving 27 games in 33 chances last season. Gregg has gotten into six games this spring so far, and the results have differed when split into two groups.
In his first four outings, Gregg allowed no runs in each inning pitched, and only allowed two hits and two walks, with three strikeouts. With news of Uehara’s injury, the closer spot looked like it wasn’t so much up for grabs anymore.
Well, Gregg has allowed eight runs over his last two outings, spanning only 1.1 IP. Just yesterday, against the Astros in Sarasota, Gregg came into the game in the 5th inning, loaded the bases, and let up a grand slam to Brett Wallace. This begged the question of what was going wrong with Gregg’s pitching. READ MORE >>>
We all know what happened with Brian Roberts last year. Between a herniated disk and other aches and pains, Roberts only got into 59 games, and missed the last week or so of the season after suffering a self-imposed concussion.
Reports this offseason were that Roberts was feeling better than ever. At Orioles Fanfest, Brian answered questions left and right about his health, and he insisted that the back felt great and he was ready to go. Fast forward to Spring Training, where Roberts showed up a week earlier than necessary to get some swings in. Then what happened less than a month into workouts? Roberts felt some “neck soreness” from the way he slept. Or so he said. While claiming that it had nothing to do with his past back issues, some found it odd that he would assume such a thing when the neck and back certainly do coexist in the body.
Now, Roberts has been out for multiple days with back pain. He had multiple injections just a few days ago to alleviate some soreness, but with continuing troubles, Roberts is scheduled for an MRI today to hopefully find a problem. A fixable problem, at that.
Enter Ryan Adams. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 First Year Players Draft, Adams has taken baby steps in the Orioles organization, playing as high as AA Bowie last year. After a shaky first two years of minor league ball, Adams finally hit the scene in 2008 with a full season at single-A Delmarva where he hit .308 with 26 doubles and 11 homeruns. After a shortened 2009 season, Adams came back last season ready to play. READ MORE >>>
Vlad the Impaler is bringing his talents to Baltimore.
For a year, that is. Andy MacPhail and company signed Vladimir Guerrero to a one year deal worth $8 million, with $3 million being deferred to future payments in ’15-’16. Guerrero was brought on to be the Orioles full time designated hitter, thus most likely pushing Luke Scott to left field to begin the 2011 season.
Coming off of a .300 year in Texas with 29 homeruns, while reaching the World Series with the Rangers (and ultimately losing to the Giants, the Orioles hope that Guerrero will bring the power bat presence to a lineup that has been missing such a specimen since Miguel Tejada got traded to the Astros in 2007.
The signing of the 2004 AL MVP and nine time all-star brought about some questioning from media and fans alike. With the set lineup before this signing including Luke Scott as the DH (whether he liked it or not) and Felix Pie/Nolan Reimold fighting for the left field job, bringing on Vlad seemed to confuse some, especially for such a steep price. For an Orioles team that supposedly won’t be contending this season, fans believed this to not only be a waste of the funds, but a major issue when it came to blocking a player like Reimold from getting an opportunity to get at-bats at the major league level. READ MORE >>>
With Varly still out and Michael Neuvirth on the sidelines still, Braden Holtby got his first start for the Caps since January 24th. Called up to be Neuvirth’s backup, Holtby saw his first game action of March just three days ago when Neuvy suffered his eye injury in a crucial game at the Lightning. Coming in that night and not only saving all 21 shots on goal from Tampa Bay, Holtby also put on a stellar performance in the shootout, allowing only one goal on three attempts as the Caps went on to win and capture the outright division lead.
Tonight, Holtby continued to hold strong, saving all 22 shots on goal on the night. The Caps had no problems backing up his defensive performance, as Alex Ovechkin scored two goals and had an assist, tacking three total points on the night and passing the career 600 mark. Also with two goals was Eric Fehr in just 13:16 on the ice. Sasha capped off the night with a goal at the 14:30 mark in the 3rd period, as the Caps went on to win, 5-0. READ MORE >>>
The Orioles travel to Kansas City to end their seven game road trip after taking three of four against the White Sox in Chicago. While starting pitching has been stable the last few weeks and the offense has had its positive nights, the Orioles bullpen has a 4.45 ERA now, a stat that can kill any team late in games.
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