btdart20

I'm sure it's a legit question, it just made me chuckle...

I wouldn't be shocked if Baumann gets a few starts (piggyback or otherwise).

Scouting for the 2022 MLB Draft: Druw Jones the top prospect; Temarr Johnson has an elite hit tool – The Athletic No access for me... But others may enjoy the read... And give a summary?

First two names that come to mind for me: Clemens and Mussina. Obviously, those are unfair comparisons for anyone with no ML experience and I'm not expecting those types of careers (though that would be awesome). But Grayson's size, FB, control, and multiple plus pitches rhymes with what Clemens/Mussina came in with as well. Grayson also seems to have that chip on his shoulder to improve/be the best like those guys (all professional players have that to some degree, but some seem to have "it" to another level). Grayson's MiLB numbers compare favorably to both (K/BB, WHIP). Both of those had lower ERA and gave up less HR (no idea about park factors). (DL Hall is more along the Scherzer lines to me with his live arm but lesser control coming into the league.) Both of them had 40-50ish IP less in the MiLB than Grayson as well... He's ready.

I'll grant that there is a psychological difference somehow. But successful high leverage relievers are in demand. Ones that give up runs and lose games are not. The closer label adds value.

That was my thought too when I looked at the stats. Slap hitters don't really do it for me. Even if they are fast and young. Fangraph gave him a 40/55 raw power rating though. So maybe there's more in the tank than the stats show "as he grows into his frame".

Setting aside the Jones/Termar/etc. prognostication at the top of the draft for a minute... who are you hoping drops, or we take in the next couple of picks? BPA, but I hope they find an SP in one of those picks. Three names I would like to see more on: Justin Campbell (RHP) - low/mid-90 high spin FB, 50% whiff rate on CH. Cam Collier (3B) looks interesting. Sterling Thompson (3B)

I really hope Fangraph is off on their ETA... I would be disappointed seeing Grayson in 2023 and Gunnar/Westburg in 2024. 17 y/o SS Leandro Arias slotting in at #12 piques my interest.

At an org level - I think they want to increase the value of their players as much as possible. Lopez's stuff has as much upside as anyone's in the pen. The closer role is a label that still carries value in the marketplace. So, I think he'll continue with the closer role for a while. I don't think it's a big stretch to think this has been a discussion between Elias and Hyde. Not necessarily a top-down dictate, but more of a collaborative "what if" scenario planning. At a game level - I'd rather have Lopez enter a clean inning rather than with men on base at this point. I'm fine with letting the 9th inning/closer role play out for a while.

Again, I wasn't sure how literal you were being. Apparently not literal at all. Agree with the general direction. But to expect multiple relief pitchers in Hader's tier to be in one bullpen is unreasonable.

Can't tell if you're being literal/general or snarky/serious but - One or two guys literally at Hader's level is tilting windmills. Hader may be in a tier all by himself. Is there one other shut down type at Josh Hader's level across the league over the past 2-3 years? If there is, that tier has to be single digits. Hendriks is in the conversation, but I can't find anyone else. Don't get me wrong, one or two Josh Hader's would be awesome! The BP doesn't have to have Hader-tier to be a strength of a contending team. If a few of our guys fall into the next tier or two (or more depending how you tranche tiers), and the BP will be competitive. (And maybe that's what you were saying...) Agree that the pen has been strong. Only Fry has a FIP higher than 2.72. No HR allowed either. 5 BB over 19.6 (2 by Fry in his 2.1). To completely get ahead of myself "That plays for a contender!" Not that any of this means anything with the sample size, because (no matter what they say) size does matter. Let's enjoy it and see where it goes. But the realist in me says to (outside of some fundamental change in inputs) expect that regressing to the mean will play both ways (bad to good and good to bad). Which means the hitting and fielding should get better. And the pitching... Well, let's just enjoy it and see where it goes!

I sure hope so! Grayson's the guy I'm looking forward to the most. Mostly just bumping this thread prepping for his next start!

Asking out of ignorance here... Who (staff-wise) is still in Sarasota for extended ST? Mostly medical/trainer types? Developmental/coaching guys? I assume some sort of mix. I guess I'm wondering if there is someone in Sarasota (like some pitching or training guru) who Elias would rather Hall be around than whoever is in Bowie?

Looking forward to how this list shifts over the year! Especially those after Norby at #9. Do you think Prieto will get some SS reps? Sounds like Norby is a 2B with no real shot at SS. Hoping Pinto can bully his way up the list (beyond attrition)!

I tend to agree with this in general. There are exceptions in the FA class the O's have frequently visited though. The injury or career recovery types who need some lipstick on the underlying junk. But in general, money talks and... It's just another item in the list of excuses why FA pitchers don't sign here. Maybe the wall changes will disturb the pixie dust buried there from the groundbreaking and bring back the magic! It is interesting to see a guy like Hays who hit 22 HR on the season. In OPACY he would have hit 24. In COL, he would have hit 11. Feels like he had some wall scrapers that will be doubles or outs this year. But I don't mind the LF wall though (I guess the sentiment has changed a bit since I shared that). It doesn't change much from an aesthetic perspective for me. Just hoping our guys learn it better than their guys do, and not the hard way.

Regarding the service time game - Ideally, the best players would play MLB. But that's not the system they have created. If we don't understand the service time game/goal at this point, then I'm not sure what else that can be said to help us. The extra pick vs. extra service time is TBD. But it seems like the mileage may vary depending on the goals for that one too (like trading away a prospect for a post-season run).

Feels like there are a few 4th OF options who add value elsewhere with Owings, Mancini, and Mateo. And I don't think McKenna or Stewart have any long term MLB value other than organizational depth. Honestly, our OFers are decent defensively. And as good as we have offensively. So barring injury, it's not like we're going to play anyone other than Hays, Mullins, and Santander. But if healthy, they will play 150+ games of the time (and I know Hays/Santander haven't proven that they can yet). The O's could make do for a game or two until whoever they tap in the minors (McKenna/Stowers/...) can make it to the team. If I'm making the decision (and the goal is to maximize MLB value vs org value), the "4th OF" spot is covered already and the roster spot would probably shift toward the pitching staff to give more options/leverage scouting match-ups. I'd rather see a few IP from those 'on the bubble' pitchers than a few ABs from the fringy 4th OF.

Anyone know why Stowers on had 2 PAs? Defensive replacement?

I'd take Owings over the other "utility" guys. He fits that mold a little better from position flexibility and the speed he brings. But bet they keep Odor for a while to see how OPACY helps him... If they keep Owings, I could see them keeping Stewart or Odor for the LH. If they keep Odor, then it's probably McKenna. SPs - Wells will be paired with someone who compliment his pitch profile. Zimmermann probably would be the best match (lefty with more spin). But I think Zimmermann will open as our #4. So Akin will piggyback with Wells. And I think Baumann opens as our #5. RPs - Hope they keep Bautista. Think they keep Ellis too. @wildcard- think you're right about waiver claims too.

I need to make a trip to Aberdeen this spring...

Maybe not. But they've got to start filling gaps at some point. And SP is the biggest need by far.

I think we've got C (AR), 1B (Mounty), 2B (any number of prospects, but think Norby will be the guy), and OF (Hays, Mullin, Cowser) covered. The IF positions have some potential and depth, but still TBD. #1 - Starting pitching - Let's see how this season goes first (for us and for the free agents) but there are some interesting options: Bassitt (34), Bauer and his baggage (32 - if he opts out), Clevinger (32), Eovaldi (33), Kershaw (35), Manaea (31), Musgrove (30), Rodon (30 - if he ops out), Syndergaard (30), Taillon (31), Verlander (40 - if he opts out). #2 - SS - Probably the most options but most question marks in the MiLB for the O's. I would hate to block prospects because the more we can save here, the more we can use toward pitching. But not having a solid/plus SS is a big gap in today's game. And like others have said, adding here would also make the prospects to trade chips. Plus, the 3B free agents are a joke. Correa (28 - wouldn't be shocked if he opts out), Bogaerts (30 - if he opts out), Trea Turner (30). Joc Pederson is a free agent next year if we're interested!

I lean toward SS too. If C played every day I might swing back but losing 20%(ish) ABs hurts the comparison. I can't really argue against having Witt or Julio ahead of Adley or vice versa. All of them look legit. From an O's perspective: I'm not sure Adley's age is a big factor. Odds are they won't resign a catcher nearing 30 long-term anyway. Should be fun to watch over the next few years though!

Even the NCAA guys with arm issues will benefit in the draft.

He's got amazing stuff. With how hard he throws, health will probably be a constant concern. Some filthy animals harness their stuff and become Robbie Ray, Max Scherzer, or Randy Johnson. Fingers crossed!