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Hype Post: I'm extremely excited about 2022

interloper

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interloper Hangout Grand Counsel

interloper

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The lockout is all the more frustrating because it's coming at a time when the Orioles are about to have the most interesting and exciting spring training and regular season in years. I am positively chomping at the bit to get this thing started, despite what will likely be another 5th place finish. Here's why:

  • This spring training we will get to see a cornucopia of prospect delights: Adley, Grayson, Stowers, Bradish, and Hall are certain to make appearances. That group alone is reason enough to tune into a ST radio broadcast. But then you factor in possibilities of also seeing guys like Westburg, Gunnar, Prieto, Bautista, etc. That's a huge group of guys ranging from very interesting to wildly exciting. Whether or not we'll see all of them this spring is up in the air, but it seems likely with guys occasionally coming over from MiL camp. The enjoyment of ST will be improved because we'll be seeing less of the usual ST fodder. 
  • For the regular season, there are plenty of non-prospects who are good players and it will be interesting to see if they improve or continue at a relatively high level: Mullins, Mancini, Means, Santander, Hays, Mountcastle, Urias, T. Wells, etc. That group becomes much more exciting if key guys improve (Mancini, Santander, and Hays, namely) and then when you factor in:
  • Adley being added to this team eventually. We are about to witness a real leader on the field like we haven't seen since Adam Jones.  I'm almost more excited about what he can bring in the intangibles department than the physical skills department. I still believe when Wieters settled in, the team significantly improved (along with key pitching acquisitions of course), and I think that will happen with Adley. Watching him work with the young pitchers will be a pleasure, and veteran guys like Means are going to really appreciate what he brings. And of course, less balls getting to the brick wall will be a nice bonus. This is all before you consider slotting him into the middle of the lineup with the aforementioned bats. 
  • Grayson and Hall being added eventually. It will take significantly longer before we see these guys this year than Adley, but barring any health issues, we're going to see them. And it's going to be extremely fun. Suddenly the rotation will go from Means, Lyles, and whoever is sucking the least to Means, Lyles, Grayson, Hall, and either another unnamed veteran or the true winner of the Akin/Wells/Lowther/Baumann/Kremer brawl. Will it work out this nicely? I highly doubt it - but whatever happens it's almost impossible for it to not be a vast improvement. 
  • The novelty of the LF wall. I'm sorry, I know it's kind of nerdy, but I'm pretty excited to see this play out. It's a wild new feature in a ballpark that hasn't seen a change this drastic ever. I just think it's neat and I'm excited about the novelty of it and how it plays in games. 
  • Another fun-to-follow minor league season. Buck Britton in AAA, Diaz's last chance, Oritz being healthy, getting a longer look at top picks like Cowser and Norby, watching Mayo set new EV records, Baumler's first crack at pro ball, tracking the international guys who are starting to percolate up. There's just an endless amount of interesting storylines to follow. 
  • The #1 draft pick. Always hype. There's a great crop of guys at the top and they can't really go wrong. And of course, it's fun to see Elias' strategy for the rest of the draft and watch a whole new crop of guys get added to this stacked system. 
  • Trades! They're gonna happen, and there's a chance they'll be a lot more exciting than usual if Elias decides to start supplementing the ML roster. But even if he doesn't yet, there's going to be some speculation about a ton of guys on the 26-man if they're having good years. 

This year really feels like a turning point not so much in winning games, but just overall enjoyment of the product from the minors to the ML club. The vision is starting to take shape. Last year the most newsworthy callup was probably Baumann, and that will be laughably eclipsed several times over this year. Now if MLB would just get its act together already... 

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interloper Hangout Grand Counsel

interloper

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4 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

I don’t see why it will take a lot longer for Grayson to be vs Adley.  If healthy and performing, I’m guessing they will be a month or so apart, at most.

You are probably right, on second thought. I think it will take a bit more time for Hall. 

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Aristotelian Hangout Grand Counsel

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It's all about Adley, Grayson, and finally being able to see some legitimate prospects. Finally some payoff for the last 3+ years of our suffering and validation for Elias's long game strategy. I agree it should start getting fun to watch for a change even if it doesn't immediately translate to wins. 

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