Which Oriole is first to 10 DH starts in 2024?

[Just Regular]

Which Oriole is first to 10 DH starts in 2024?

[Frobby]

I’d say Adley.  He and Santander were neck and neck last year.   Santander played DH a lot when Hicks played.  I don’t think he’ll DH as much when Kjerstad plays.  

Now, it is possible that Hyde will give Adley a few more full days off this year.  He gave him more as last year went along.  

[Spy Fox]

Adley will be among the leaders by the end of the year because he'll DH consistently throughout the season, but I doubt he'll be the first to 10 because there will be 1-2 other guys serving as the more regular DH at any given time. 

For example (is it cheating to look at last year's data?) last year by the end of the year, Santander only led Rutschman 47-45 in DH starts. But Santander started the year as the most common DH, so he had his 10th start there on April 27. Adley didn't have his 10th DH start until May 18, by which time Anthony had started at DH 16 times. 

[Just Regular]

In the early weeks, I'm curious to see how Hyde comes at Ryan #2 vs. the Kjerstad/Cowser winner on the ~60% of the days its C Adley, RF Santander, 1B Ryan #1.

Kjerstad and Cowser are Elias' blue chips, the Ryans....are not.

Since it is a core memory how Earl handled Eddie and Lee May in 1977, I wonder a little if the Rookie Integration Plans for guys without Adley, Gunnar and Westburg's defensive skill use the tool of the DH role to simplify the load for the Kjerstad-Cowser-Mayo-Basallo group, if only for a couple weeks at a time here and there.

Eddie got to DH Game 10 in the 10th game of the 1977 season.     

[Sports Guy]

Hopefully not Adley.

[Rustbelt]

Mateo. 

Seriously, Santander 

[OriolesMagic83]

1 hour ago, Just Regular said:

In the early weeks, I'm curious to see how Hyde comes at Ryan #2 vs. the Kjerstad/Cowser winner on the ~60% of the days its C Adley, RF Santander, 1B Ryan #1.

Kjerstad and Cowser are Elias' blue chips, the Ryans....are not.

Since it is a core memory how Earl handled Eddie and Lee May in 1977, I wonder a little if the Rookie Integration Plans for guys without Adley, Gunnar and Westburg's defensive skill use the tool of the DH role to simplify the load for the Kjerstad-Cowser-Mayo-Basallo group, if only for a couple weeks at a time here and there.

Eddie got to DH Game 10 in the 10th game of the 1977 season.     

Hyde/Elias? seem to not totally trust Kjerstad in RF.  At bats will be severely limited if O'Hearn is still on the OD roster.  It looks like O'Hearn isn't going anywhere.  If Kjerstad falters while he is getting 1-2 games/week, is it really a fair trial, especially after some 2023 Mlb success.

[wildcard]

Santander career OPS as a DH = 697

His 2023 OPS as a DH = 690

Adley, Mountcastle and O'Hearn were all better in 2023.

Santander 2023 OPS at RF = 823

Santander 2023 OPS at 1B = 1081

[wildbillhiccup]

I want the answer to be Kjerstad alone (not combined with Cowser). 

[Just Regular]

14 minutes ago, wildbillhiccup said:

I want the answer to be Kjerstad alone (not combined with Cowser). 

I put it that way as except in the event of a surprise Santander or Hays trade, it seems pretty unlikely they both make the team, but whichever one does, this might be their role.

Honestly splitting hairs between Kjerstad and Cowser I think his veteranosity relative to Cowser might give him an edge.    We'll probably see LHP from the Angels 2 of the first 3 games, and I hope Kjerstad gets his hacks at Reid Detmers and Patrick Sandoval too.

Edited February 11 by Just Regular

[G54377]

I think they come right out and see if O'Hearn is the 2023 version of himself or the previous years.

[OriolesMagic83]

1 hour ago, G54377 said:

I think they come right out and see if O'Hearn is the 2023 version of himself or the previous years.

It would be a reasonable assumption to make that 2023 was O'Hearn's career year.  I would be looking for a trade before opening day.  if he's DFA'ed before Opening day, I believe the O's pay like 1/5 of his salary or thereabouts (the Miguel Gonzalez clause).  Seems like the O's could get something for him.

[btdart20]

Adley would win if it’s just a constant rotation through DH.  Which could prove true, even if boring to talk about.

I went Santander.  Debated O’Hearn/Mounty though but hoping they use the early schedule for development and stacking wins.

I think Cowser/HK get OF reps for assessment there early.

[drjohnnyfever1]

If McCann's avg is .240+ I think it's Adley.  If McCann is struggling at the plate, then Adley gets extra C starts and spelled by McCann.  In that case, Santander, because I think they wanna see Heston Kjerstad + Colton Cowser position playing as much as at the plate.

 

edit... I voted Adley.

Edited February 11 by drjohnnyfever1

[Can_of_corn]

10 minutes ago, drjohnnyfever1 said:

If McCann's avg is .240+ I think it's Adley.  If McCann is struggling at the plate, then Adley gets extra C starts and spelled by McCann.  In that case, Santander, because I think they wanna see Heston Kjerstad + Colton Cowser position playing as much as at the plate.

 

edit... I voted Adley.

He hit .222 last year and started 54 games at Catcher.

His career BA is .242.

Edited February 11 by Can_of_corn