Tony-OH

I'm still not sure I was wrong. I checked with Mike and he doesn't think he is still a rookie, but wasn't 100% sure. If he still has rookie status, it's by technicality. My first look would have him at #19.

Yeah, but the vast majority of them have other teams they root for in the Phillies, Nats and Yankees, not to mention that DC area, particularly Northern VA is very transient and have a lot of people from other parts of the country there because of government work. You only need to look at the actual attendance to show the issue in Baltimore. The attendance has fallen every year since 2014 from 2,464,473 to 1,307,807 in 2019, the lowest over a full season since 1978. Since the Orioles won the World Series in 1983 (37 seasons) they have had winning record only 10 times and have only won the AL East twice over that period. While I grew up with the Orioles being the winningest team in baseball from the 70s through the early 80s, the one thing I'm not sure people really understand how bad this franchise has been for a generations of kids. In fact, I would argue it's now two generations away from kids that grew up believing that the Orioles were one of the best franchises in baseball and were consistently going to challenge for post season. Add in everything else we've already talked about, and hard for a sport and fan base that relies so much on the past glories to continue to expect a large following. I run a darn site dedicated to them so I clearly will always be a fan, but even I have to admit that the love of the Orioles in the Baltimore area may never see a rebound in interest unless Elias can rebuild them into a consistent winner once again. Of course the problems of building a consistent winner with the inequalities of the MLB landscape that allows for no salary cap is a whole other conversation. Due to MLBs reluctance to let teams move, I don't see the Orioles going anywhere, but the days of putting 3 million+ into the stadium during a season will most likely never return.

I've got to agree with you. While I do think there are too many strikeouts, strikeouts can be exciting as well. A walk is boring in every way possible.

I once thought this to be an impossibility, but I don't anymore. With the MASN decision, the success of the Nats, significant attendance problems, ownership issues, and general lack of interest from a generation of fans who have grown up with losing baseball for the vast majority of heir lifetime, I don't think it's impossible anymore. Now, the good news is that MLB hasn't approved a team leaving it's city in a long time (Montreal, right?), and Camden Yards, while now on the older side of stadiums now, is still a great place to watch a ball game. I agree with others who said this would make the Orioles more marketable to future owners who may want to move them to Nashville or potentially Las Vegas. I still don't think the team will move, but I no longer think it's an impossibility.

I've suggested the three fouls after two strikes and you're out. This would encouraging more in play at bats and get away from those pesky guys that just keep fouling off good pitches until they get a meatball and will perhaps stop starters from hitting 100 pitches in the 6th inning.

If the AA season is delayed a month, I could see Rutschman starting at AAA in order to get him as many PAs and time behind the dish as possible. I doubt we'll see him in 2021 since this team will be competing for nothing but the 1st overall pick so it doesn't make a ton of sense to start his control time and arbitration clock. Depending on the next collective bargaining agreement and potential work stoppage, it's up in the air when we'll see him play with the Orioles in 2022 but if under current rules, I'd expect somewhere around mid to late April.

Considering MLB officials and the players union representatives should have one goal and that's to figure out the 2021 baseball season, its amazing that we are sitting here still not sure. MLB oweners and the players really need to look at getting new leadership. The current ones they employ are awful. Here's to a 162 game schedule and full minor leagues!!!

Meoli continues to show he's one of the best Orioles reporters the Sun has had in awhile.

With all the additions I'll update mine before the season starts.

Slash lines by themselves are not always the best way to do comparisons. You also have to consider the leagues (Shaw has been in some good hitters leagues like the PCL) and K-BB ratios. That's why my current favorite metric for hitters is WOBA. The biggest thing for me is Shaw has been a complete zero at the major league level while Stewart has had some success, albeit in small sample sizes. At the major league level where the stats matter most: Stewart - .329 (301 PAs including a .347 last year in 112 PAs) Shaw- .217 (82 PAs) MLB avg- .317 Now obviously 82 PAs is still a bit of a SSS, but hit first players don't tend to get a lot more chances when they don't actually hit, particularly when they are putting up a 37.8 % K rate and only a 11 % walk rate like Shaw did. While I would agree that at times their numbers have looked comparable at times in the minor leagues, you also have to factor in the fact that Stewart can play a passable, if not exciting for the wrong reasons corner outfield, while Shaw with his 15th percentile spring speed is probably best suited for first base and DH only. We also have to consider that Shaw has been passed through waivers with no claims after the Orioles claimed him surprisingly the first time. At the end of the day, Stewart's walk rate and slightly better outfield capability makes him a better overall player than Shaw. Saying all that, the jury is still out on Stewart as well since he numbers were driven up by a Barry Bonds like 9-game stretch last year. I'm still not convinced Stewart is the answer to anything but a stop gap and see what you got option, but he's worth giving PAs to this year to give him a final evaluation over an extended playing time opportunity at the major league level.

Seems a bit long in the tooth for a guy who's barely pitched above AA. Here's a scouting report from a Redsox site: Scouting Report: Tall, medium frame. Likely filled out at this stage. Low 3/4 delivery. Slinging motion, heavy effort on arm. Doesn't incorporate lower half enough. Fastball sits 88-90 mph with arm side run. Changeup comes from consistent release point at 80-82 mph with similar run. Pitches off of his changeup, over-relying on the pitch. Also throws an occasional 78-80 mph curveball with vertical break. Doesn't induce a lot of swings and misses. Solid control. Helped pitch Arizona to an NCAA championship in 2012. Former 7th round pick by Colorado. Had been pitching in independent ball after five seasons in the Rockies system. Profiles as a high minors organizational arm. https://www.soxprospects.com/players/wade-konner.htm Looks more like minor league depth then a true competitor for the rotation, even with the current options.

If you want the negative spin, just look at his statcast info from 2019. This is a low-risk, low-cost move so I don't have an issue with it, but I'd be very surprised if he pitching for the Orioles by June. Who knows, may he's reinvented himself as a junkballer? I have very low expectations for him, but again, bringing him in on a minor league contract and taking look when the current options are not filled with absolutely ready starters doesn't hurt anything.

Maybe Cesar Valdez can teach him his dead fish pitch?

Yep, definitely shows the guys character. He knows he can't earn his contract any longer so he gives it back. It's not like he's going to miss a meal either.

I don't think they block anyone and you just gave three reasons right there why. IF the Orioles think these guys can be part of a rotation or most likely future bullpen, you definitely keep them over place holder like those three. Regardless, I don't think either one keeps pitchers like Lowther, Baumann or Wells from making their debuts. They will make debuts is they are pitching well and there is a need in the rotation through either injury or lack of performance. We have to remember, while Akin and Kremer, and Zimmermann to a much lesser extent, have spots in the rotation right now, they are far from established major league starters and could need to go back to AAA at some point. That would present opportunities for the other three. I still personally think Akin will be much better in a relief role and that Lowther will end up a better starting pitcher despite the good metrics that Akin brings.

In my mind, Franco brings a little bit of an upside because if he hits in a hitter friendly Camden Yards, he might have some value to flip at the trading deadline which so something Ruiz has a smaller chance of doing. Saying that, Ruiz brings better defense and it appears Elias is trying to put together a good defensive infield behind his young pitching staff, so that could very well negate his interest in Franco.

Eh, both Lowther and Wells cold use some AAA time. If we can add in arms that project to be useful and cheap, I'm fine with keeping them on the roster and Lowther and Wells in AAA. Saying that, I think we will definitely see Lowther at some point in 2021 and maybe Wells depending on how he's pitching and need of the ballclub. Based on what I've read and the stats, I don't see Wells being a guy with enough upside to keep unless he proves he has the stuff to stick as a starter.

I don't see much of a chance for Rodriguez to make that huge jump to the Norfolk rotation with Baumann (assuming he doesn't make the Orioles opening day roster), Lowther, Smith, Wells, Ashton Goudeau (assuming he doesn't make OD roster) and Kyle Bradish ahead of him. Besides, while I could see Rodriguez ending his year in AA this season, I don't see them pushing him to AAA so soon even with the delay of AA and A ball seasons.

Wells was a weird claim because he doesn't appear to have a ton of upside, but I'll assume they saw something in the statcast info that suggest he has value. Mac Sceroler has a little upside but very little experience so it might be tough to make that jump, but they could keep him in relief role.

LeBlanc either makes the team or is released. The AAA rotation will be full.

Personally, I think this is a break glass in case of emergency kind of move. IF the two rule 5 guys aren't ready or up to snuff, or injuries occur, then I could see him making the team in the rotation for a bit until some guys like Lowther, Smith, and Wells are ready. The rotation as I see it is: Means Kremer Akin Saying that, probably only With the following guys via for the other two spots: Bruce Zimmerman (inside shot for a spot unless he's awful or hurt in the spring) Ashton Goudeau Jorge López Max Sceroler Tyler Wells Then you have the Double-A guys: Michael Baumann (Probably the most ready but might be sent down for a few weeks for service time considerations and also must prove he's healthy once throwing in games after getting shut down last year at the alternate camp) Zac Lowther Kevin Smith Alex Wells I agree that it's doubtful Elias wants to push the Double-A guys and will probably want them to start at Norfolk, and I don't want Lopez anywhere near the rotation again unless the Orioles have found a way to rebuild him in the offseason. I do think the Orioles will want to keep Sceroler at least, but the question will be will they try to just use him in long/middle relief instead of the rotation? I see Wells getting returned and Goudeau is a pretty big unknown overall, so is a bit of a wild card. Saying all that, I can see the need for a guy who can eat some innings for a bit, but I'm not sure LeBlanc is that guy. For now I see him as a backup plan or emergency option.

To be fair, the Rays are a team ready to win while the Orioles are in rebuild. If the Orioles had the year the Rays had last year and were making these kinds of deals vs the Archer deal you'd have a valid point, but the situations are just different.

I had plenty of opportunities to talk with Don and sit and watch minor league games together back in the early 2000s when he was farm director. He was very knowledgeable about the game overall and was unfortunately more of a figurehead as Farm Director under Syd Thrift who made moves with personnel often without informing Don. He was always gracious with the fans from what I saw and was always willing to help on the coaching side. Happy 84th to a true Orioles HoFer.

Really amazing to read the progress that the minor league system is making with using this cutting edge technology and thought processes. For the first time probably ever within this organization, you get the feeling that the Orioles prospects have the best information and coaching that can help maximize their potential. I'm really excited to see them playing meaningful games and putting up numbers that will back up this process with results.

Yep. Plus Hall is a the kind of the guy the Orioles have not normally brought in as an official non-roster invitee at this point, but normally brings them over for games. It will be interesting to see if teams expand their non roster invites to get more prospects into camp for more work. If so, this would bare well for guys like Kjerstad, Henderson, Westburg maybe guys like Hall.