Aristotelian

True. So any combination of guys will score runs with the same net run differential. I guess part of the game would be to construct a roster where you have players with a bunch of different skillsets, and then maximize each player's advantage depending on the situation. That is also definitely something the Orioles have done very well under Elias/Hyde.

Ah, but what if you have a hitting catcher who needs to DH 5-10 games per month?

From a game theory standpoint, you can never win if you don't score, so I'd go with either the +10 off/-10 def or average guy. I would not want a team full of pure defense guys that bring no offense to the table. Seems like the O's definitely like guys who can hit but they also value at least some defensive ability and versatility.

Whether he was rushed or merely expedited or accelerated, he made his debut at a very young age with very little minor league experience, and the results thus far have been terrible.

Before "hoarding prospects," there was "tanking is bad for baseball." These guys never learn. Would love for them to eat their words, just once.

It's whatever you want it to be! And doesn't need to be a debate. For me, the gameball tradition comes from our 7-14 year old rec league, and I would always lean more to the unsung hero type.

I don't get to watch every game but some that come to mind: 3/28 vs LAA Burnes 6 IP, 11 K in Orioles debut 3/30 vs LAA Grayson 6 IP, 9 K 4/1 vs KC Westburg walkoff HR 4/3 vs KC McCann walkoff base hit 4/14 @MIL Jackson Holliday gets his first hit and scores go-ahead run 4/15 @MIL Cedric Mullins superman catch and 3-run HR 4/17 @MIN Suarez 5.2 shutout innings, zero BB in O's debut 4/20 @KC Santander three doubles and key diving catch 4/21 @KC - Co-gameballs to Westburg and Cowser for the back to back homers. This shouldn't be allowed but I'll make an exception for the rare feat. Cowser should probably have another one in there

Just to be clear, I wasn't personally making any claims about influence on the outcome. The criteria (in my mind) are completely subjective. If you were Hyde giving a pep talk to the team, who would your game ball go to?

Agreed, let's see him against some tough lineups before we draw any conclusions. I believe Mike Wright had back to back shutouts in his first two starts.

Giving Joey Ortiz a cup of coffee didn't do anything to his trade value. Cowser's probably did go down a bit due to the length and severity of his early struggles. Heck, I would have been OK with trading Cowser for Cease (I voted no, but more because of my view of Ortiz/Westburg). If Norby can pull an Evan Carter heater for a couple of weeks, who knows, it might work out the other way.

This thread is to call out players for whatever reason. Can include obvious heroic performances (the Cedric and Westburg walkoffs) but also random high effort or baseball IQ plays that don't stand out in the box score. I'll start with one from last night's game. April 22, Orioles 4-2 Win @LAA Several great choices from this game, including Kimbrel's K of Trout with the bases loaded to close the game, and the strong start by journeyman Suarez. However, my game ball goes to Mateo. In the 3rd, he fought to 3-2 and took a tough pitch off the plate for a leadoff walk, then stole second and third. Trailing 1-0, the Angels elected to play the infield in, resulting in Adley muscling a soft liner just over the drawn in defense. Without stealing second and third, we likely end up with nothing. So not only did Mateo's speed get himself into scoring position, he also produced a RISP hit for Adley and a run for himself.

He really had Trout struck out a second time in the 6th but the umpire called strike three a ball. Six shutout innings with two K's on one of the top hitters in the game is damn impressive.

Better than Hader in the earlygoing!

I wonder if Kjerstad sticks for a while when Holliday goes down. Then bring up Norby to restore the R/L balance. So it's essentially Hays and Holliday for Kjerstad and Norby. Either way this feels like an opportunity to give a deserving prospect some AB's. Even if he takes some AB's from the starters they need to rest occasionally over 162 anyway. While he is here, carrying Kjerstad can allow Adley to get full rest when McCann starts, plus get Santander and Mountcastle one day a week etc.

Ramon is fine as a bench bat and he can help anywhere on defense and we will get Hays back. When rosters expand we can bring up one of Norby and Mayo to pinch hit for O'Hearn.