Tony-OH

Austin Hays is the CF tonight.

It is tough to understand sometimes for sure. Westburg is an athlete who can play on the left side of the infield and not kill a team, can play second base effectively enough to start, and should be able to play 1B. they've played him in the outfield a little bit, but not enough for me when outfield might be the position where he could find some playing time. Now CF is a little different because you need to be able to go back and in on balls as well as side to side more frequently then any other outfield position. I have no idea how Westburg looks in the outfield because I haven't seen him challenged on the plays I've seen hit to him, but I'd probably give him a look. You can't tell me that the Orioles are going to potentially start Hicks/Mckenna, Frazier, Vavra and McCann at times and then are no PAs available for Westburg? Hicks looks like a guy who is pretty done. He's hitting the ball at less EV, slower, and hasn't been a threat at the plate since part of 2021. When a team rather eat $30 million rather than play you, that tells us something. Now Hicks does play CF so it makes some sense because right now your in house options with Cowser on the IL are not very good. Besides Rutschman, Mullins was the least replaceable guy right now in that lineup. We'll see how this plays out, but I certainly hope Cowser comes off the IL soon and after a few games is hitting the ball well and gets the call.

I'd be upset of Cowser was healthy and playing well. Hicks over Cameron? Fine. Mckenna can't hit righties so Hicks over McKenna against righties? Fine. Now once Cowser is showing that he's healthy again and playing well, then I think it's time for pitchfoks if Hicks is still the everyday CF against right-handers. I'll be honest though. I'd give Westburg some looks if CF. He runs well enough for now to cover some ground assuming he can get used to the outfield. I've been surprised by his lack of playing 1B and OF this year. Those are positions where his bat could play and where their could be a need.

I'm sensing strong sarcasm!

They obviously did not like them but were being nice in their comments. OOF is about right!

2017 was the last time Hicks was a plus defensive CFer. He was average last year but -5 OOA in 2021 and -1 this year in limited play. He hasn't hit righthanders well since 2021 in limited action and 2020. I hope this is for a very short look than Cowser comes up. I also hope this doesn't mean Mullins is out a long time.

Thanks. It would be nice if these affiliates would update the rosters, but maybe Milb does that vs the teams.

BTW, where did you see this? it's not listed on any of the official transaction sites?

I'll give Elias credit. He's not very conservative when it comes to mid-season promotions for guys doing well at a level. We'll see how he handles Aberdeen. That's a tough hitters league.

This is right on. The Orioles are not a 102-win team as constructed now and losing Mullins is certainly not helpful, especially when his best replacement (Cowser) is on the IL as well. Obviously, the offense has been struggling of late and no one has stepped up to put the on their backs a bit and help. I'm hoping Rutschman is starting to break out of his mini funk (.231/.344/.365/.710 over past 14 games and 61 PAs) and maybe Santander is starting to rumble a bit. But there are too many holes in this lineup, particularly when we face left-handed pitching. If the Orioles can tread water while Mullins is out I'll be happy.

One other thought is you move Vavra out to CF against righties until Cowser is ready. Vavra did play 30 games out there in the minors and would be ok out there though I'm sure McKenna is the better option defensively. Elias typically like defense in his CFers so I still think McKenna gets the call until Cowser is ready. Of course we still don't know the severity of the right abductor/groin area strain and part of that could determine the move.

Really ashamed. Way too young. I remember thinking Young was the next Eddie Murray as a hitter after that rookie year.

Cameron very well may get the call to be the 4th outfielder, but I expect to see Mckenna pick up more playing time than normal. Vavra has a little CF experience as does Mateo though I don't expect Mateo to see much time out there. Cowser has unfortunate timing on his quad injury.

Yep. To me, can't get any brighter of a red flag then to strike out a lot against high school pitching.

Carlos Tavera showed off his best command to go along with his 94-96 MPH fastball and plus changeup to move up the charts. Tough sledding prospect wise right no outside of the top 16 or so. Really need the DSL and FSL to get going to get some real prospects on the second half of the list. Keegan Gilles needs a promotion to AA. Hasn't even given up a hit this year. Throws around 94 with a cutter, curveball and splitter. 6-8, 255.

Previous week

"possible." I'm assuming that's an Elias quote, and if so, of course he's trying to say the return is great. Povich would need several steps to be taken before he could be considered a potential TOR candidate. Either way, he needs to develop more consistent command and endurance though we know the Orioles don't develop endurance in the minors.

Did anyone think he was a potential TOR? I think his upside is a middle of the rotation starter if his command and endurance improves.

Nice Hays...

You read it right, but unfortunately, I wrote it wrong. It's a 12-24 BB-K ratio. I'll go fix it, thanks.

He really is a perplexing guy to watch pitch. He keeps getting guys out but gets an amazing amount of atcha balls. He seems to give up a decent amount of loud contact but it seemingly always goes right at a fielder. I mean, his stat line is pretty impressive overall, but visually scouting him I don't really see why he's been so effective besides throwing strikes (65% strike rate). I'm not sure how sustainable his .242 BABIP is though, but he probably does deserve a chance at AAA.

Over his last 20 games, the 21-year old Mayo is slashing .306/.414/.583/.997 with 6 2b, 1 3B, and 4 HR to go along with a 12-24 BB-K in 87 PAs. He's only had 2 PAs against a pitcher younger than him this year.

Was the juggernaut thing a Kevin Brown hyperbole statement? He was also the guy who said, "Shohei who?" after they struck him out one time. That was just such a ridiculously immature and homer statement that it made me literally cringe when he said it.

He may have hurt getting back up to get to the Golden Corral Buffet the way he looks.

Man Givens is throwing 91 MPH. I know it's not all about velocity with sinkerballers, but yikes. He'll need much better command to have success with what he's throwing up there.