Tony-OH

Looks like minor league depth to me, especially if they plan to bring up Mayo from AAA. His EVs have dropped over the last few years and at 33, he looks pretty done as any kind of regular. As a 1B/DH type, I don't see a role for him here as long as Mountcastle is on the team. AAA is in need of 1B depth so it's a nice fit. Cook can go split time at 1B, 2B, LF, RF, and maybe even give him some shots at 3B to see if he's playable there once Mayo leaves. I'd do the same thing with Norby and give him some looks at 3B just to see if it has any chance of working.

Let's talk about Mayo for a bit. I made most of this post in his minor league thread but feel it's relevant here. Coby Mayo look ready for major league pitching, but he's got one concern that major league pitchers will attempt to exploit and that's breaking balls. Here's what Mayo has done this year against them. Now his wOBA (.283) shows he's not dominated by them although it's below average, but his xwOBA (.223) suggests he gets a lot of flairs and soft contact hits which is pretty common across most hitters on breaking balls when you compare the two. Now the good news is he absolutely murders fastballs. And he does really well against offspeed (changeups). So the challenge he will face at the major league level will be steady diet of breaking balls until he proves to them he can hit them. Now, Mayo is a smart hitter and if he knows a breaking ball is coming he can mash it, so if they make a mistake, he's going to make them pay, which might mean they'll try to challenge him at times as well. Ether way, I think his bat is absolutely ready to be a middle of the order hitter with the Orioles. As for the glove, he's made 3 errors in his last 29 games at 3B and his rocket arm will make some plays that Urias or Westburg will not. So the question is, who goes if Mayo comes up? I'd say send Cowser back to AAA and keep Urias as the backup 3B and pinch hitter against left-handers late in games if Mullins is coming up in situation that we'd rather have a right-handed hitter. I realize Cowser is the backup CF and Hays is no longer fast enough to be out there, but I still think Mateo can back up CF and be fine. Mayo is going to bring a middle of the order hitter to the lineup. He may have some struggles at times like all rookies, but he also is going to bring a dangerous bat to the lineup that is going to absolutely put fear in opposing pitchers, unlike Urias. With Mayo on the team, the bench would be pretty full of right-handed hitters with Hays, McCann, Urias and Mateo. Hays could spell both Kjerstad and Santander on occasion Mateo could spell Mullins, Gunnar and Westburg Urias could spell Mayo and be a defensive replacement late in games McCann is the backup catcher (unfortunately since he looks like a guy at the end of his major league usefulness but that's another thread. The lineup on most days: 1. Henderson - SS 2. Adley - C 3. Mayo - 3B (yes, I know they won't start him here but he's going to end up here) 4. Santander - RF 5. O'Hearn - DH against righties, Adley against lefties 6. Westburg - 2B 7. Kjerstad - LF 8. Mountcastle -1B 9. Mullins - CF Kjerstad and O'Hearn could switch depending on who's hot and Mountcastle and Westburg could bat 3B with May down there which is where they will probably start him in the lineup initially. To me, this is the best team they can put on the field right now. As for the Holliday question, he's got to get his defense down and honestly, Mayo looks more ready for major league pitching still.

Coby Mayo look ready for major league pitching, but he's got one concern that major league pitchers will attempt to exploit and that's breaking balls. Here's what Mayo has done this year against them. Now his wOBA (.283) shows he's not dominated by them although it's below average, but his xwOBA (.223) suggests he gets a lot of flairs and soft contact hits which is pretty common across most hitters on breaking balls when you compare the two. Now the good news is he absolutely murders fastballs. And he does really well against offspeed (changeups). So the challenge he will face at the major league level will be steady diet of breaking balls until he proves to them he can hit them. Now, Mayo is a smart hitter and if he knows a break ball is coming he can mash it, so if they make a mistake, he's going to make them pay, which might mean they'll try to challenge him at times as well. Ether way, I think his bat is absolutely ready to be a middle of the order hitter with the Orioles. As for the glove, he's made 3 errors in his last 29 games at 3B and his rocket arm will make some plays that Urias or Westburg will not.

I think you are remembering the Urias from two years ago when he was surprisngly good at 3B, here's where he stacks up now. He's 15th percentile in range, 19th percentile in arm strength, and I'm surprised he's even 29th percentile in spring speed. What Urias doesn't do very often is make errors, which is one of his best skill sets. The Orioles do value defense and probably why they reluctant to bring up Mayo and install him as the everyday 3B, moving Westburg to 3B. Mayo has committed just 3 errors in his last 29 games at 3B. He will make plays that Urias or even Westburg can't because of plus, plus arm. I personally think his offensive potential outweighs the slight negative that his defense will bring.

Yeah, no one likes to lose and yes, I have concerns mostly about the decimated pitching staff, but this team is very good.

Let's hope. We've seen this before but maybe with both Cowser and Hays struggling he'll get more PAs.

He had a very good game, and that last at bat was about as good as it got. He looks like a guy that needs to be in the lineup everyday for awhile.

That what a good chase pitch will do though. He was all around the zone for the most part and didn't make many mistakes, and the one he did Mountcastle swung through.

We had the same formula in 2014 and only a white hot Royals team ruined that. This year we have to out homer the other team.

This does not look like a pitcher that Mountcastle would be good against though.

Westburg does not seem to be picking the ball up tonight.

Yeah, Mounty should pinch hit depending on the situation. Could be for either Urias or McCann.

Damn, that was perfect Akin there! Now let's get him the vulture win. Got to imagine Cowser pinch hits for Urias unless they need a bunt.

Must've been the magic words there because he was walking away!

Barlow...

Wonder who is warming?

Damn, well, cant say Kjerstad didn't have a hell of a PA against a tough pitcher. This game is over though now unless Clase just has a rare off night.

Well at least this is fun!

Kjerstad having himself a professional AB, but he may kill Santander.

Good, tire him out Kjerstad and let him make a mistake.

We haven't developed any. We've drafted very few pitchers in the top ten rounds until last year. Elias/Sigbot felt they could develop pitches drafted after the 10th round because they could identify pitch shapes. They have drafted and developed one pitcher, not even a reliever and they've been drafting sine 2019.

No, that was not a backdoor slider and I know Dave knows that.

Seems like Cleveland knows how to develop pitchers. Where are the Orioles starters turn relievers who now dominate?

This Cleveland bullpen reminds of the Orioles 2014 bullpen. Ashamed that Elias has not been able to build the same kind.