Jim'sKid26

What is a reasonable expectation for Trout's performance between now and the end of his contract? Is there any historical context here or are we all just spitballing this?

He looked pretty good last night.

This is a fair criticism. Did not mean to imply a blanket statement. Correction noted.

This is the type of post that usually generates very negative responses from many of the seasoned posters on this board. It reflects an opinion that is not backed up with facts. Calling on one's extensive prior experience as a baseball fan without providing evidence to support your opinion is usually met with scorn here. I'll be interested to see how you fare.

This is a tremendously under appreciated aspect of Minor League player development. These young kids just don't appreciate how important nutrition and conditioning are to overcome the grind of a long season. I think it could be a differentiator between good and great player development franchises.

Why not?

Maybe he can try to punch Aaron Judge when we go to New York....

Imagine the challenge of slogging your way through the minors as a catcher. Bus rides, Motel 6s, shi**y food and a pitching staff that tax your athletic ability every night. Oh, and please squat for 9 innings. By the way, you need to hit, dude, or we won't promote you! You really gotta love the game.

You are a stellar poster who I look forward to reading. I, for one, value your posts, perspective and dedication to the minor league affiliates. Nil carborundum illegitimi!

How is DL Hall, at this stage of his career, different from Sandy Koufax? I know, I know, stupid question as the context is completely different etc etc. But hear me out before you jump down my throat. Both had/have great stuff. Both struggled/struggle early in their careers due to wildness. I think it took Koufax 2+ years to figure it out and he was a "bonus baby" so he didn't have the opportunity to go back to the minors to hone his craft. The legend is that Norm Sherry helped fix Koufax by having him throttle back his fastball velocity. I'm not sure I buy that explanation but something happened and he was able to find his command. Once he did he was unhittable. Hall is a similar caliber athlete to Koufax who was a scholarship basketball player in college. I have sincere hopes that the O's find themselves with Grayson and DL being every bit as good as Koufax and Drysdale. Pie in the sky? Perhaps, but a guy can dream on these two. Ok, shoot me full of holes. I'm ready.

Perhaps your definition of "knock" is not the same as mine? The context of the question was most valuable Oriole. In other words, who on the team, given all their respective limitations (perhaps you might say "knocks") provides the largest contribution to winning over a season. Adley's a catcher. Catcher's don't provide defensive value everyday. I think that's more of a given, if you will, than a knock. I think it's also a matter of perspective.

Yes, I am aware of this. My point was more that his day-to-day value drops when he doesn't catch. It is a somewhat nuisanced point but a shortstop can play defense nearly everyday and also hits everyday. Forgive me for not stating that directly.

Has he hit that well when DHing. Full disclosure, I haven't done the research to parce out C at bats from DH at bats. Also, how does Mateo stack up on the defensive metric side against AL contemporaries? Again, this is a wonderful debate to have! In the spirit of Roy's OP, I am a Mateo homer.

Corn, I think that's a fair assessment. Santander could also be in that conversation. My "knock" against Adley is he doesn't catch every day. When he's the DH he is very good but his value is not elite there. Mateo has brought it this year nearly every game. Just my $0.02.

Honest question from a total Orioles homer, (as I proudly describe myself), is Mateo making a case to be the MVO? Who has had a better all around game than Mateo?

If you could get Clevinger for 2/34-36 with a 3rd year mutual option at $20 M, would you do it? Would he? I think its going to take something along these lines to get him. He a solid #2-3. Pitching is expensive.

If you do that then Clevinger is the clear choice, IMHO. Guys who miss bats will be much more valuable to the O's moving forward than innings eaters at this price point. What would you offer Clevinger?

I would love to hear Tony's take on where Gunnar would best be utilized in 2023. My understanding is that he can play a solid MLB level SS but is likely GG level at 3B. Given that Mateo has shown solid defensive chops and provides elite level speed at the bottom of the lineup, why not keep him at SS and have the left side of the infield be rock solid defensively?

A couple of things I think are important to remember: 1. Rasmussen pitched extremely well. He had all three of his pitches working and threw them in any count. He was dotting "I"s with his FB and his slider was sick. He came out for the 9th at 79 pitches. He was on. 2. The current O's team has an anemic offense. 3. Adley is still learning how to call a game at the MLB level. 4. The O's pitching only gave up 4 runs. Other than Lyles, the rest of the guys threw up zeros. Akin look especially good. 5. The Trop is Orioles kryptonite.

I think it is very hard to evaluate his "stuff" when he is making his MLB debut. Let's be honest, he was totally amped up. A relaxed and confident pitcher will throw the ball with a much free-er motion that facilitates spin and velocity. I would submit to you that what we saw in spring training, where he touched 100 mph, may be more reflective of his "stuff." The kid got his MLB debut done. Now its time to refine the arsenal and get MLB hitters out. I like the idea of him coming out of the BP for the rest of the year. They can match him up in lowish leverage situations and see what he's got. They get film of him facing MLB hitters to study in the off season and they get to limit his innings. All good.

Why would it be anything other than expected? This is his first full season of baseball after a rather significant illness. I would be very surprised if he has been able to participate in a full conditioning program. Couple that with the less than luxurious life style that is minor league baseball and you have all the ingredients for a late season wilt.

Fortes fortuna iuvat! This is going to be a very good free agent class in the coming off season. Given the crop of youngsters Elias can promote in the next 24 months and beyond, I see not reason to not be bullish on this team. These are exciting times to be an Orioles fan.

Aside from the presence of Elias and Sig, why do folks think the Orioles will operate anything like the Astros? The AL East is very different from the AL West. The Os operate in a market that is very different from Houston. The difference in ownership groups is night and day. I think the Orioles will have to come up with a unique plan that fits their specific set of circumstances. By the way, you could insert Rays for Astros and the above argument is still valid.

Big Ben, I think it was Ben, mentioned last night that Voth has an elite spin rate on his CB. He also mentioned that the "tilt" of the pitch last night was different than what he had seen previously. Sounds like the analytics staff found a guy who needed a couple of tweeks to his CB and he was going to be able to get MLB hitters out consistently. The Rays had no answer for that CB last night. He threw it whenever he wanted to. He threw it for strikes and he threw it as a chase pitch. Impressive outing until he made a mistake to Randy A.

If you are Chris Holt, what do you say to D.L. Hall? This kid has all the talent in the world and his stuff will play in the MLB without a doubt. But he has well established control problems and he's likely to be amped up for his MLB debut. How do you help him get in the zone?