– Five lessons we acquired during the Orioles’ spring training

Unfortunately, Kyle Bradish and John Means will not be able to start the season due to being placed on the injured list. The team is hopeful that they will return during the beginning of the first half, but there is uncertainty about their performance and endurance for the rest of the season. If they are able to continue strong, the Orioles’ pitching staff has the potential to be top-tier in the league.

He demonstrated impeccable defensive skills while playing second base. Additionally, he achieved a .954 OPS and successfully hit extra-base hits against top pitchers such as Yusei Kikuchi, Zack Wheeler, and Raisel Iglesias. He also performed well against Spencer Strider, who is a front-runner for the National League Cy Young Award.
Spring training is too long, and the days are even longer.

However, the Orioles’ top two players did not allow the lack of importance at the end of training camp to affect them. Instead, they gave a glimpse of their potential for a significant season.

Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman are ready to explode

Angels at Orioles

His performance on the field may have been even more remarkable than his conduct off of it.

The 2023 season saw the Orioles as the top team in the AL, a trend that continued into spring with a record-breaking 23 wins in the Grapefruit League. This total surpasses their franchise record of 20 wins in 2002 and is also the highest among all MLB teams since 2017.

Is Mateo skilled enough to have his defensive flexibility and quickness be of value?

• The pitchers Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, and Tyler Wells achieved their highest single-season innings in the previous season. The performance of these three players will determine whether the rotation is a strong point or a potential downfall.

When given the opportunity, Jackson Holliday has the potential to become a prominent figure.

The actual competition begins on Thursday.
TV: MASN

In 2024, the Orioles will celebrate their 70th year in Baltimore and are aiming to secure a spot in the playoffs two years in a row, a feat not achieved since the late 1990s. They also have their sights set on winning the World Series for the first time since 1983.

During the final five months of the season, Mateo had the lowest batting average among all major league players. This greatly diminishes his most notable skill, his ability to play shortstop. With Henderson expected to fill that role on a daily basis, Mateo’s defense becomes less important. However, Mateo impressed during spring training as he adapted to a new role as a super utilityman. He showcased his talents at second base and all three outfield positions. The Orioles see value in Mateo, not only for his versatility and exceptional speed, but also for what he can contribute to the team.

It’s uncertain how the infield will be organized once Holliday is promoted, but for the time being, Mateo and Urías will have ample opportunities to play.

The team remains confident in Jorge Mateo, and Ramón Urías is still a permanent fixture.

Thursday, 3:05 p.m.

It is possible that as the Orioles near the end of their season, Henderson and Rutschman may be vying against each other and other top players in the AL for the highly sought after award.

This year’s Sarasota, Florida spring training for the Orioles was filled with noteworthy events such as injuries, standout prospects, significant changes, numerous victories, and more.

Before the first game of the season, with Corbin Burnes as the starting pitcher against the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards, let’s review some highlights from spring training with the Orioles. Here are five takeaways from their camp.

There are still many questions left unanswered.

Can we expect a repeat of Austin Hays’ performance in the first half of 2023, or will he play like he did in the less successful second half? Will Cedric Mullins be able to replicate his All-Star form from 2021?
• The bullpen might be the weakest part of this team with All-Star Félix Bautista out for the season as he recovers from Tommy John elbow reconstruction. Craig Kimbrel hasn’t been a dominant closer since 2021; Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe could be due for regression; Dillon Tate looked great in spring, but he missed all last season with a forearm-elbow injury; and Cionel Pérez, Mike Baumann and Jacob Webb are all out of options, limiting the club’s flexibility if the bullpen is taxed.
Gunnar Henderson clobbered a 451-foot homer Sunday to cap off a dominant spring after he missed the beginning with a minor oblique injury. Then, Adley Rutschman one-upped his buddy with a 460-foot blast.

Reworded: Many tend to brush off the occurrences during spring training, and rightfully so. The exhibition games do not necessarily reflect how the team will perform during the regular season. However, given the strong depth of the Orioles’ lineup and the impressive performances by several players this spring, it may be difficult to overlook the potential of this team.
Colton Cowser?

Despite a subpar 2023 season with a .703 OPS and declining defensive performance, Urías still proved to be a valuable asset in a limited role, which has been consistent for the last three seasons. While not known for flashiness, he did earn a prestigious Gold Glove Award at third base in 2022 and is a respectable hitter, averaging at the league level. With the versatility to play all four infield positions and excel in two of them, he was a standout player for the team this spring with a .994 OPS and a higher number of walks than strikeouts (which has been an issue in the past). As a result, he rightfully secured his spot on the roster.

The team decided that it would be beneficial for him to start the year in the minor leagues in order to enhance his defensive skills and ability to face left-handed pitchers. This conveniently coincides with the club potentially gaining an extra year of Holliday’s service before he is eligible for free agency.
• Like Cano and Coulombe, O’Hearn broke out in 2023 and is out to prove that wasn’t a fluke, rebuking what the projection systems say about potential regression.

Manager Brandon Hyde and experienced players James McCann, Kolten Wong, and others all commended 20-year-old Jackson Holliday for his mature attitude and professionalism. Holliday was exposed to the game at a young age as the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, and it was evident during the spring that the highly-touted prospect was unfazed by competing for a spot on the major league team.

The success of the Orioles in spring training cannot be dismissed, despite its insignificant value.

Spring was wonderful, however, there were some worries. Some examples are:

If the majority of these decisions favor the Orioles, it is likely to be another successful season. However, if the majority go against them, it may hinder their chances of defending their title as AL East champions.

Both players are not currently at the peak of their careers, however, the year 2024 may be when they establish themselves as contenders for the American League Most Valuable Player title. According to betting odds, they are both ranked in the top 10 for winning the award this season, with Henderson finishing ninth and Rutschman in 10th place last year.

Regardless of the cause for his demotion to the minor leagues, it is expected that Holliday will excel in Triple-A, just as he did in the lower levels. And when he is called back up, it won’t be long before he is able to replicate that success in major league stadiums.

The Orioles are starting the season with high hopes of winning the World Series, and these hopes seem even more achievable now.
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Opening day

In addition to potential business considerations, the main explanation for Holliday starting the season in Triple-A is that the Orioles view infielders Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urías as important assets and do not wish to let them go.