Tony-OH

Right, because they will never have to pitch in cold weather in the future. If that's the reason, its dumb.

And if that's true, I completely disagree with it. You can't train a pitcher to be ready without live competition. There are too many variables and the adrenaline is different in real games when things count. There's a reason why we have the minor leagues. Heck, they already tightly control their pitches during games, so what's the difference? I don't think they are just sitting there doing nothing, but I think they should be pitching in minor league games, not stuck in some Orioles controlled purgatory. It would certainly fit their M.O. though. I get the feeling if they could, they would put all of these guys in a controlled field lab where they could play with stuff for years on end with them before releasing them to the wild. It's not fun for the fans to never see them, but then again, I don't think for one seconds what the fans think or want matters to this organization. It's all very calculated and cold.

It's April 21st and there's not a single sign that Baumler is anywhere near competing in a minor league season. Baumler underwent Tommy John surgery in November of 2020, that's 17 months ago. Baumler was pitching to live batters in early to mid-March in games and now we're heading into late April with no signs of him. Now this very well could be that this is because the Orioles rehab process is among the longest know to man when it comes to rehabbing pitchers, Baumler was just not ready talent wise to compete in the Sally League at 20 years old, or that Baumler has had some kind of setback. Either way, Baumler joins Kjerstad as 2020 draft picks that have not seen pro ball yet due to injuries. Hopefully we'll hear something new about him or better yet, see him arrive at an affiliate, but it could be that the Orioles may wait until the FCL starts up to let him pitch in games that semi-matter.

We haven't gotten a good angle on him this yet and unfortunately, the Carolina League has some of the worse team broadcasts. Missing bats is always a good thing but I do wonder if he's missing with that fastball when it comes to the homers. Hopefully we'll get some good camera angles soon with him.

Hernaiz is certainly showing he ability to hit fastballs in fastball counts a long way and that's a good thing. He's obviously gotten stronger and those flyballs last year look to be going out, even in the cool April weather. Now to the downside, he does not have the armstrength or quickness to play at SS at the major league level and his throwing is very erratic no matter where he plays on the dirt. He struggles mightily to throw accurately on the run and even his normal throws are typically low. I know the Orioles like to move their guys around to lots of positions so they may want to consider giving him some looks in left field as well. Delmarva doesn't really have a true shortstop as all of the guys playing there are better suited for 2B or 3B. Gotta like the start to the season when it comes to the power though.

It is uttterly ridiculous that those build up innings are not against live competition. I absolute hate how this teams coddles their pitching prospects. Let the kid pitch already. If he's throwing 99 MPH, he's ready for goodness sake. You wanna keep him on a tight pitch count for a bit, fine, but let him pitch in the minors and not hidden away in the Orioles secret lab spaces where they can keep Hall hidden from everyone. How much build up do you need? the guy was pitching in Florida againt live hitters in mid-March. We're a month+ away from that and they're still claiming he's building innings. It's just ridiculous. At this rate, we'll be lucky to see Hall at the major league level in a starter's role in 2024.

I think they are told to put the runner's on the contact play because analytics says it's the better percentage play. We are seeing it all over baseball. As for being more aggressive, I do think there are a lot of factors involved and sometimes it's a split second decision, but I do think analytics tell them to err on the side of being aggressive. I'm not saying that's all bad, but getting runners thrown out by 20 feet is not fun to watch.

99 MPH with that kind of movement? Best stuff we've seen in the closer role since Britton in his prime.

Hey, you doing minor league film work now??

Lopez was absolutely filthy tonight! Best stuff we've seen in a closing role since Britton.

I'm not excited about Lopez sitting down, and then having to ramp it back up.

That's a pitcher McKenna needs to hit if he wants to stay in the major leagues. He's an absolute zero at the plate right now.

That certainly seems like a murderer's row to get some insurance runs..

The reverse jinx worked like a charm. Now the question is, can Lopez come back out and have the same juice? We need to some runs here!

Good Lord that delaye in Brown calling things is annoying.

The chances of the that runner on 3rd not scoring is about 1.4%.

Why take Baker out after he gets the K? Why bring in Lopez with a runner on 3rd and one out in the 8th?

Why use Tate for the bottom of the order in the 7th, and Baker in the 8th against the top of the order? Why not bring Tate back out for the 8th?

Anyone seen this game before? Hard hit ball but big league shortstops make that play. When you play a AAAA guy at SS late in games, you get AAAA defense.

That's how I watch baseball this time of the year! lol

Good Lord you guys are quick. lol Yeah, he was able to to take a few jogs down the 1st base line but by the time the game was back on he was taken out. Hopefully it's not too bad and it's not his back again.

Rodriguez pulled after 75 pitches after walking his first batter of the game on a close 3-2 changeup. 5.1 innings, struck out 8, walked one, allowed one hit. He looked visibly pissed when he was taken out, but not sure if that was because of the close 3-2 pitch that went gainst him.

Why not, who doesn't like to see a snake and sompbody else's yard! lol

Yikes, not fan of snakes, even harmless blacksnakes. I'da rather have the frgos and lizards! lol