Tony-OH

It's certainly been a slow start for him this spring. I don't think it's going to matter because he's going to be the every day center fielder on opening day barring an injury, but it's been a slow go so far.

To an extent I agree. However, if you are not an established player and are trying to make the team, performance can matter. Saying that, later performance is much more important then early performance but the only times it really matters is the bubble guys. Elias has said before he doesn't put too much stock in spring stats and really shouldn't because a lot can depend on the talent level they are facing, weather/wind, etc. However, if a pitcher can't throw strikes all springs and their stuff is down and they're fighting for a roster spot against another guy who is lights out, that performance can be the reason why one guys makes the team and doesn't.

Well I hate to defend his defense, because I honestly do think his throwing is pretty bad (his footwork was awful on the throw I saw yesterday that was low), but I'd still rather have him over there if that means he, Mountcastle, Mancini, and Santander all stay in the lineup. Yes, obviously not playing Davis would free that up, but it seems they have every intention of playing the newly recreated incredible hulk at first base full time.

This. Gotta get a few outings under your belt before you start making stock up or down calls unless velocity or stuff is way down. Obviously there have been a couple of bad performances, particularly today, but it's too early to draw any conclusions from what we've seen.

Why? What makes you think Ruiz, who was a subpar defender as well, is so much better overall when Nunez brings an impact bat vs Ruiz's AAA bat? I would agree if all things are equal I'd rather have a better defender out there, but Nunez can at least hit and the Orioles will need DH open when Mountcastle arrives since Davis, Mancini, Mountcastle, Santander, and Nunez all need to be in the lineup somewhere.

My replies above

Kremer was ok overall but his curveball was inconsistent. The one change I saw was high and outside to a lefty. I like hearing the fact he hit 95 in his second inning. He was facing some low minor leaguers in the 8th and 9th, but the only ball hit really hard was a curveball that he left up in the zone.

Not sure yet. I'd like to see a few weeks in before making any calls.

Ok, thanks Scott.

What was Cobb's velocity?

True. Florida is a tough place to play the outfield this time of year with the winds and blue skies.

Well my first look of Rucker this spring and I came away impressed with his fastball/slider combination. I thought he was a longshot to stick on the roster but if he can command those two pitches he's got a chance to stick in the pen.

Yeah, that's interesting. I was under the impression they were using the statcast readings for the broadcast but maybe not in spring training. He was mostly 88-89 in the second inning of work on the broadcast.

BTW, I felt the Garceau and McDonald booth was pretty good, especially with McDonald helping out and knowing the pitchers so well. Brian Roberts was very good when he dropped in as well. When Palmer can no longer do the games, I hope those two or considered for more time in the booth though I'd also like to see someone who is up on analytics get some time in there as well.

The Orioles are clearly doing this the classy way of putting him on "special assignment" vs just saying what happened which is he was let go from regular duties. I really look forward to adding Arnold to the radio booth with Kevin Brown, who I really liked last year because he's willing to use new stats vs Hunter who once claimed that a Bowie pitcher was a great prospects because he went 5-0 the previous year.

Here is where we agree. Palmer is a great mix of telling like it is, old school Orioles stories and knowledge, and understanding that he doesn't have to explain the replay.

Just reading through this so not sure if this was answered, but it was John Hoffman. He was awesome to have on staff back then because he did all the human interest stuff in the minor leaguers. He's in St. Louis now with his wife.

He's still young, but he's a stretch-4 being asked to be a center because the team has no front court depth.

Give some credit to Ohio state though, they played well, hit their free throws, and were the better team today. Games like this remind me not to get too excited over the Terps this year. Too much parity in college basketball and MD will always be an up and down bi polar team. You might get the Terps that can win the National Championship or you may get the team that beats a team with a sub-.500 record by one point.

Stix struggles with good big bodies around him. Tough game for him but they weren't looking for him at all in the second half. Typically Turgeon offense and throwing up 9000 3s when behind instead of slowly eating away at the lead. Saying that, Stix struggling and not being much of a factor and the biased tic-tac refereeing was a combo MD couldn't over come.

Hard to win in the road when the refs are totally biased. I typically don't blame referees, but this was an awful called game.

Is this entire offense around the three? Goodness gracious.

Just an awful play by Smith on that ball.

Bailey with his first K on a low cruveball.

Bailey looks a little nervous out there..