Tony-OH

That's a good point. Hopefully this is a situation where they are using an abundance of caution in order to get him off to a good start vs he didn't look good down in extended spring training and wasn't able to make the FCL. He's still very young though but it would have been nice to see him play in the FSL at 17 years old like Basallo did though it's worth noting that Basallo is really 4 months younger than Almeyda so he appears to play a year younger by baseball cutoff date of 1 July.

Not to kick a guy when he's down, but Hicks has been worth more WAR in 4 games (0.3rWAR and 0.4 FWAR) than Mountcastle in 253 PAs and 58 games (0.2 rWAR and 0.0 fWAR). O'Hearn in his 19 games and 54 PAs has been worth 0.2 WAR (both r and f). In case you were wondering, Mountcastle does have two options remaining.

It would be really good if he and Estrada got off to hit starts and amazing if they found a way to get promoted to Delmarva at some point. Elias has shown a willingness to jump guys if they need to be challenged. Still, sometimes players struggle with that jump to American pro ball. It's always interesting to see how these guys do. Will they have a Basallo type adjustment, or a Hernandez type falter?

He's on the DSL Orange team so no, they didn't have him make the jump. It's rare for a guy to make that jump mid-season mostly due to VISA issues so I don't think we see him stateside until next year. Still, lots of interesting guys in the FCL this year offensively. Pitching like throughout the system looks to be the weak point. We'll see. Maybe some guys surprise.

For now! Again, our concerns are that the overuse will affect the team later in the season. Let's take Cano for example. The most innings Cano has ever thrown as a pro (Not counting his Cuban time) was 69.2 IP in 42 games in 2021 between AA and AAA. He is currently on pace for 69 games and 85.1 IP at the major league level, and 77 games and 93 IP if you count his minor league usage. Last year, Tate (67 games and 73.2 IP), Baker (66 games and 69.2 IP), Bautista (65g and 65.2 IP) and Perez (66 and 57.2 IP) were all used in similar amounts of games, but none were within 15 innings of Cano's projected innings. Other members of the bullpen projections: Baumann 71 games and 86 innings Bautista 74 games and 77 innings Baker 77 games and 71 innings Coulombe 71 games and 58.2 innings So that's five relievers with projected games at 70 or more. I tried to do a little research and was not able to come up with any team that had five relievers with 70 or more games in a season. Now maybe someone will find a team and that's fine, but I still think this is going to catch up with the team in the second half if Hyde/Orioles don't find a way to start using bulk relievers to take the workload down off these five guys.

First off, just because the team wins does not mean managers or GMs can't be criticized. I know I'm not personally screaming that Hyde is a terrible manager, but I do have concerns that he'll burn out his bullpen or be short in too many games because of his reluctance to use bulk relievers as such. I've agreed with you that I think Hyde manages for matchups once the starter is removed, but I've also explained why that's not a great strategy while up 3 or more runs. Now every game is different because some guys may need work, some guys may be a little sore, and some guys may not be very effective at the moment, so bullpen management is one of the harder things a manager needs to do. Now saying that, I don't know how much of this is on Hyde or the information he's given. I don't necessarily agree that Hyde manages from his gut, but I do think he pulls his pitchers too quickly after a giving up a few hits or walks, especially at low pitch counts in games where the team is up 3 or more runs. The biggest problem with getting upset with Hyde is we don't really know how much of these things are his decisions vs being dictated to him through electronics. We know he's given "input" into the lineup and it would not surprise me if he's not given "input" into what relievers to use and when. Now, I'm not saying that's all wrong. I know there are aspects of bullpen management that we as fans don't know about (pitcher availability and such) so some of this is just opinion based off the facts that we do know. I don't have an issue with Hyde overall and realize that baseball has gone towards these "robo managers". By all accounts Hyde manages the clubhouse well and although he looks like someone stole his candy throughout the games, seems to be well liked openly. Gone are the days of hiring a manager that manages by their guts by most teams. So I guess in the end, I can not like how "Hyde" manages the bullpen at times, but I also don't know of anyone who is going to do it better (Though Fredi González did leave in his pitchers a little longer in his one game ). Besides, this is a discussion board. We discuss EVERYTHING!

Well, Hicks hasn't been very good since 2020, is 33 years old, and even his statcast metrics show him to be a player in decline. Now I had no issue with him being signed since the alternative was probably Dax Cameron or putting a square peg in center field until Mullins or Cowser were ready. Now obviously he's played pretty well so far in his four game with the Orioles. Sometimes players get a new lease on life when they go to a new team, especially when they get to play everyday again. Now, the question is, can he continue to play well once he moves back to being a reserve outfielder? Maybe the Orioles have caught lightning in a bottle or maybe we're just seeing the effect of player getting a new lease on his career, or maybe he's just on a little heater. Either way, he's looked pretty competent out in CF though he does look a touch slow running. I think Vavra, who has played just 10 innings total in the infield will be the guy to go of the roster when Mullins returns or Cowser is promoted. If Hicks is playing well still when both are ready, then I think he will get the nod over McKenna, though McKenna has hit lefties pretty well this year and has been competent in the outfield at all three positions minus the Boston drop.

The FCL Orioles season starts on 5 Jun. Who are some of the guys you should watch out for? OF - Braylin Tavera (#21 prospect at end of 2022 season) - It would be a real pick me up if Tavera gets off to a hot start in his first taste of US pro ball. INF - Aron Estrada (#23) - Nobody hit the ball better in the DSL last year in the Orioles system. It will be interesting to see where he plays mostly. SS- Edwin Amparo (#29) - Switch hitting SS who should fight for playing time with SS prospect Leandro Arias (#30) and Maikol Hernandez. SS - Leandro Arias #30) - Switch hitting SS who should fight for playing time with SS prospect Edwin Amparo (#29) and Maikol Hernandez RHP - Raul Rangel (#40) - Disappointingly did not make a full season once again so is looking for a healthy year and maybe a mid-season promotion to Delmarva. SS/INF - Cristian Benavides (#50) - Made the FCL team over Arias despite being younger so this bodes well for him after a solid DSL year last year. Youngest player on the team. RHP - Zach Showalter (#61) - Overslot high schooler will get his first chance at pro ball. OF - Raylin Ramos (#67) - Should be a priority play out in the outfield after a nice DSL debut last year. OF - Thomas Sosa (#71) - Didn't have a great debut in the DSL but impressed enough to get the promotion. Good power, but have to see if the contact issues improve. RHP - Harif Frias (#75) - Big time swing and miss stuff last year in the DSL. It will be intersting to hear if his velocity has jumped from the 92-95 last year. SS - Maikol Hernandez - Former top prospect and big money guy has failed to hit in his career. This will be his last chance and it will be interesting to see what kind of playing time they find for him with so many infielders that have actually hit.

True, had Bautista been on that mound vs Voth in the 9th I'd have pitched a virtual fit. lol

Today was another perfect opportunity for him to allow Baumann to finish off the game or at least get to the 9th where Voth could have finished. Instead, Baumann gets two close calls go against him and walks the first guy and gets yanked so Hyde can use his favorite toy (Cano) once again despite having a 4-run lead. Did Cano do the job after the double, sure, but I just would have preferred to see him get the time off, especially with the day off tomorrow.

Now that was a GG play by Urias.

I came in here because I was about to give Hyde props for keeping Baumann in the game to start the 8th. What does he do? Walks the first batter and gets yanked. Baumann-Hyde= Let's run through the bullpen now with a 5-run lead in the 8th.

Perhaps "panic" was not the right word, but I also don't think you should start playing matchups in the 5th inning. I do think Hyde tends to pull guys too quickly in games where the score is far enough apart that he should allow the pitcher to work through it more often.

I agree that's how they are using him, I disagree with that's how they should use him. It's very hard to play favorable matchups for four innings or more of work. That's how you burn out a bullpen. I understand match ups, believe me, I'm a LaRussa bullpen management fan. But LaRussa tended to match up in the 7th or 8th innings before going to a closer. the issue is you can't play matchup in games when the team is up or down 3 or more runs. Close games, sure, sometimes you gotta do what you have to do, but too often Hyde is matching up in the 5th or 6th inning down or up 3 runs and that's why his bullpen is tired pretty often.

Yesterday looked like work on your fastball and curveball command day as he threw the fastball 66% (62) and the curveball 17% (16) of the time. Now there is discussion about "tipping" and one thing I noted is there is a distinct difference between his curveball release point which his higher most of the time than his other pitches. The light blue is the curveball. It may be the reason he only got 4 swings (two misses) in his 16 curveballs and only recorded three called strikes. That tells me the batters are able to pick that pitch up pretty well, despite the good vertical movement of the pitch. You have to wonder if they see a "hop" out of the hand that tells them curveball. This next chart I think explains his issues. Batters just don't respect that he can throw his offspeed pitches over the plate. Is it really surprising that out of the 32 offspeed pitches he threw, he got only 6 swings? I count only 9 offspeed pitches as strikes. You can't even see the non competitive pitches off this chart. At the end of the day, he can overpower AAA hitters with his 96-99 MPH fastball even with them sitting on it, but clearly he can not do the same thing to major league hitters. Overall he threw 45 pitches in the strike zone, 49 out. That's not good. Until he can command his offspeed pitches, he should not be back up in the majors regardless of the stats.

Nah, he threw the ball to the base that was not covered. The problem was the ball was hit to Akin's right which made Mateo take a step or two to his right, putting him out of position and unable to get to second base in time. That's one of those situations where you either have to wait until the fielder gets there or just make the throw to 1B. Pitchers though are taught to throw to the base and that the fielder's will get there. It really was a weird play overall.

I think when Akin got barreled up that's when Hyde "panicked" a little and went to Baker. It's just the way Hyde manages and whether that's because that's what the analytics say or his own feelings, is the only debate. He just yanks his bulk relievers way too quickly in my mind and he ends up using 4 pitchers to cover down on 4 innings of work in a game the Orioles lost 4-0. He needs to let Akin pitch his way out of trouble and let him get stretched back out. Thankfully Zimmermann was able to come in a pitch effectively because Lord know had he struggled, Hyde would have brought in another reliever instead of allowing Zimmerman to absorb the beaten and innings to save the pen. Sometimes you have to see how the other team's pitcher is going, and allow your bulk guys to rest your pen. I really would have liked going into today's game with a rest Baker but you have to imagine he's out. If the Orioles need bulk innings now they only have Baumann available unless they make a move with Zimmermann. Personally I probably would have turned over that game last night to Zimmermann and see if he could get through the game and go into Sunday with a fresh bullpen.

I'm not going lie here, before you start attacking posters who have given you very real concerns on the bullpen management, you might want to consider using some punctuation because that's a tough read without them.

He did, but in his last 9 games over 40 PAs, he's slashing .211/.250/.342/.592 with 1 BB, 5 Ks, and 1 HR. So you could say he's a in a bit of a slump. Not something to be worried over, but not a Jim Hunter SSS slump.

The Orioles game announcers speaks in a tone that I can't understand. It's very monotone and I don't know if its the sound system (which is very poor in Camden Yards) or what, but everything sounds garbled to me. I joke all the time when I hear her announce a player's name that it sounds like, "Haaaarrrrreer.... Momlesmuuuuuuuuur." Maybe it's just me as I do have some hearing loss.

The worse thing is he's now the PBP guy for the Blue Jays. Could you imagine having to listen to that voice for 9 innings doing PBP?

Thanks for your thoughts Roy. My biggest issue is I listen to a lot of minor league broadcasts and there are so many better play by play guys out there that would provide a much better experience during games. I've never met her either and I'm sure she's a nice lady, so none of this is personal. I also don't care that she is a woman doing PBP. Now saying that, announcers are certainly a personal taste. But when you have a groundswell a negativity against your PBP broadcasting ability that should tell the network something. Now she does have a nice pleasant voice to listen to and I've heard her on pregame shows as a guest, and she's knowledgeable enough about statcast data and other metrics that she's absolutely fine in that kind of role. I think she's honestly the best studio host they have though I think Scott Garceau does a great job there as well. But this is a situation where MASN seems to be trying to shove a square into a round hole with her as play by play. As for her chemistry or lack thereof with Palmer, it actually has gotten to the point where it so obviously forced from Palmer's side that it seems to even cross into the creepy side with some of the exchanges. Her constant "fangirl" giggling to everything he says gets an eyeroll for me as well. Now it's not fair to put her up against someone like Gary Thorne, but Thorne was great at setting his color guy (usually Palmer) up, telling a quick story, but also knowing how to generate the right excitement for the play within the game at hand. In other words, you don't scream like the team just won the World Series on a walkoff home run on a home run in a game down 10-2. Newman definitely struggles with her level of excitement for each play under the circumstances of the game score or situation. I'll be honest here and say Kevin Brown is still a work in progress in this regard as well as he gets way too pumped up over trivial moments sometimes. Now, I disagree with the OP that thinks that Newman should get out of the industry because she has attributes that if put in the right role, she can be good. She clearly has a love for the sport, does her homework, has a good voice, and if used correctly can be solid part of an overall broadcast. Now the last thing I will say is I believe the director or someone has told the PBP people to ask more questions of McDonald and Palmer. KB is just as bad as Melanie in this regard and it seems to be something they've been told to do. KB has actually gotten much worse to listen to because of these ridiculously unnecessary questions like, "So Ben, what do you see as the problem with (insert pitcher's name here)?" after the pitcher loses his command for a bit. It sounds like it could be a good question once in awhile, but when it's asked every single time a pitcher starts to do bad, it get old. Heck, you could play a drinking game if you had to take a drink every time the Orioles PBP asked a question of the color guy.

She's got a solid love for pancakes and her flirtatious giggling to everything Palmer says could be endearing to some I guess. Also, if you enjoy thinking through the play you just saw without an announcer telling you anything, listening to the color guy have to wrap up an inning, or like to use your imagination on anything pertinent on the field that the camera isn't focusing on, then I think you will enjoy her broadcasts. Saying all that, she's pretty good as the studio host and if there is a job where incessant questions need to be asked to inform the most uninformed viewer, I think she would be great at that as well.

Yeah, we've seen this before where some guys respond to rest and rehab and others need to see the doctor. Since it's a potentially career ending surgery (though most go well) I think they try to cautious route first unless they see a tear.

Right flexor forearm strains that need to be shut back down typical end up seeing a surgeon for TJ surgery. It may be surprising to see him next year if they don't go ahead and get it over with.