Do the Orioles have a pitching “type”?

[Frobby]

It’s been mentioned that the O’s seem to draft hitters who make good swing decisions, hit the ball hard and have some defensive ability.   That’s their “type” of player and the O’s are good at developing them.  

Today I listened to a very fun interview of Geoff Pontes of Baseball America.   If you want to feel even better than you do about the state of our farm system, listen to this interview.  Pontes is sky high on the players and our player development system.  

One point discussed was that the O’s haven’t used a lot of high picks on pitchers.  In discussing that, Pontes said that the O’s do seem to have a “type” that they like — pitchers who throw a lot of strikes and can throw a couple of different shaped pitches.  He seems to think that the O’s believe velocity can be developed for pitchers that have these traits.  

I’m not sure I agree, other than to say that pitchers with top velocity are usually off the board by the time the O’s turn their attention to drafting pitchers.   I can’t say the O’s tend to draft strike throwers though.  What do you think?

Anyway, if you’d like to hear the interview:

bit.ly/3DsMH4W bit.ly/3RgQEzj

 

[nvpacchi]

I'm not sure if its by design, or its the only thing the Orioles are able to get at the major league level, but the entire staff is basically average stuff good command guys - with Bradish maybe being the only one who could turn into a higher K guy.

Seth Johnson, Chayce McDermott certainly aren't guys that throw a lot of strikes right now.

I can see them thinking maybe they can squeeze some more MPH out of Povich who has decent command.

Drew Rom and Justin Armbruester fit Pontes's model I guess, but the O's going out and trading for the high upside guys from the Rays suggests to me that they're not scared to try out all types of guys.

[btdart20]

I listened to Pontes yesterday (distracted by work, mind you).  He mentioned the O's do a great job translating the data into layman's terms and practice training methods.  And he gave a ton of that credit to Elias bringing in a not-only-metric-fluent coaching staff, but one that can communicate well enough to build those bridges to get buy-in from the players.  Tons of teams have the data.  And tons of teams have great coaches.  But few are as practicable up/down the org.

As far as 'type' - They may have a type, but I'm not sure I can nail it down.  Some random thoughts though...

* I don't think they pigeon-hole themselves into one mold other than 'high character' (read more like work ethic than moral character) players. 

* But look for paths/potential ways to attack smart hitters.  They do want layers of velo (the more distinct the better).  They do want various movement patterns (ride/drop, in to hitters/away from hitters - slider/changeup).  They do want stuff/deception (spin, extension, consistent delivery).  But they realize that most pitchers don't have everything they want.  Ultimately, they let the data build a case for what's missing for improvement. 

* And then assess their org strengths to see if we can be the missing link for that player's improvement.  It could be a new pitch (sweeper, changeup).  It could be pitch mix.  It could be adding velo/spin.  It could be more mental and just attacking the zone.  Sometimes it's a combo, like the sweeping slider can be more accurate/repeatable than a harder breaking ball and still have a similar impact on the hitter's approach. 

* It also sounds like there's a partnership with the players too.  Like there's some type of back/forth between coaches pitching a path for improvement and the players saying what they want to focus on.  Then they apply a more scientific method/cycle to test the inputs and results as they drive for improvement.  But that relationship that the O's coaching staff is the crux to the process.  And why there's a focus on the player's character too.  

[emmett16]

Yes.  Guys that fill the zone.  In a world of HRs there is no room in the game for walks.  See Spencer Watkins.   It seems like the new market inefficiency. 

[LookinUp]

This seems like a recipe for a bunch of #3/4 types, with the hopes that one of the velo guys ends up clicking on all cylinders.

I do think we have several decent guys in the pipeline whose profiles have a higher upside than many of the last regime's low velo guys.

Of course, I was a big fan of Lowther, so what do I know?

[jabba72]

Good command and height are something Elias looks for when he trades for SP's and pitching in general. Povich, Irvin, McDermott and Povitsky (all acquired in trade) are all 6'3 or taller. An outlier is Seth Johnson in the Mancini trade from Tampa, is 6'1.  

[LTO's]

2 minutes ago, jabba72 said:

Povich, Irvin, McDermott and Povitsky (all acquired in trade) are all 6'3 or taller.

And Bradish is 6'4.

[Tony-OH]

I've heard a few things and have a few observations from the guys they ten to draft/acquire.

Pitch shaping is certainly one of things I've heard from different sources that they look for. From the true spin of a fastball to spin on their breaking balls, they a looking for guys that fit that mix.

Everyone looks for tall guys so that's not new, but obviously they look for guys with quick arms and with good chances to increase velocity after signing with the right program.