Jordan Westburg was back in the game after getting hit on the triceps by a pitch last Tuesday. The infielder had a 0-for-3 performance with two strikeouts.
Hyde stated that they are still considering all possibilities at this time. He also mentioned that the player has had a notably strong spring training, as have many others. The team is particularly interested in his skills for hitting against left-handed pitchers and his versatility in playing both corner infield and outfield positions. Overall, the player has had an impressive performance during camp.
This is due to the fact that Gunnar Henderson will primarily be playing on the field in his usual position.
Henderson thinks that his performance as a shortstop will greatly enhance his defensive abilities.
However, Suárez has confidence in his abilities.
Suárez’s performance in spring has not been flawless. He has struggled in two innings, allowing eight runs, but has excelled in the remaining innings. The 34-year-old concludes his spring with a 5.17 earned run average in 15 2/3 innings, recording 19 strikeouts and impressing with a mid-90s mph fastball.
“Yes.”
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Tyler Nevin, a member of the Orioles during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, is currently vying for a spot on the roster and has been performing exceptionally well this spring with a batting average of .346 and an OPS of .882. On Thursday, he went 1-for-3 in his at-bats. During his pregame talk, Hyde was questioned about Nevin’s chances, but the person asking assumed he would not make the team. To this, Hyde interjected and shared that he actually has a chance to make the team.
From 2016 to 2017, Suárez played in the major league for the San Francisco Giants. After spending the last five years in Japan and Korea, he was signed by the Orioles in September to a minor league deal. He may start the season in Triple-A as a backup option.
Manager Brandon Hyde announced on Thursday that utility player Jorge Mateo will be on the opening day roster, although he will not be playing shortstop often.
Burnes was never meant to be a top performer. That is precisely why he excelled.
Henderson stated his preference, but ultimately deferred to the team’s decision.
Corbin Burnes didn’t start pitching until he reached his senior year of high school. He faced challenges during his first year at a small D1 college. He was able to secure a spot in the Cape through a series of accidents or coincidences.
The Orioles had a total of six hits and scored two runs in their defeat. Anthony Santander, who hit a home run on Wednesday, had a 2-for-3 game with a double. Ryan McKenna, who has been struggling at the plate this season while vying for a spot on the bench, also hit a double.
Ramón Urías, a previous recipient of the Gold Glove Award, and promising prospect Jackson Holliday seem to be leading contenders for a position, but coach Hyde has not made a decision yet. In fact, Hyde emphasized that another infielder, a familiar player, also has a possibility of being chosen.
“He’s pitched in a lot of different places. I know he’s really appreciative to be here, and we’re appreciative that we signed him, the coaching staff is,” Hyde said. “They did a great job scouting him. He’s thrown the ball well all month.”
Albert is prepared and excited to participate in the activity.
Pirates at Orioles
“I have been drafted and have played this position my entire life,” he stated. “I am excited to have the opportunity for more consistent playtime in this position.”
Suárez ended his spring season by starting for the Orioles in their 3-2 defeat against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. The experienced right-handed pitcher threw 4 and 1/3 innings, conceding only one run and striking out three batters from a lineup primarily consisting of Boston’s starters.
During the Orioles’ batting practice, Hyde and Mike Elias, who are the executive vice president and general manager of the club, conversed with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on the field. DeSantis was previously a contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, but he decided to withdraw from the race in January.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) March 21, 2024
Mateo is expected to have a significant role on the team as a versatile player, having trained during spring in various defensive positions including the infield and outfield. Despite his struggles with batting, the Orioles’ management and Henderson both have confidence in his ability to contribute to the team in other ways.
Last year, Henderson excelled as a defensive player at both shortstop and another position. However, he seemed to have better performance at shortstop. Out of his 13 defensive runs saved last season, 10 were from his time at shortstop. Despite splitting his defensive playing time evenly between the two positions, he was not chosen as a finalist for the Gold Glove Award at the newly added utility spot.
Also on the mound, right-hander Wandisson Charles, whose high-90s mph fastball makes him an intriguing arm to watch in the high minors, struck out one in a scoreless inning. Left-hander Andrew Suárez, who is competing for a bullpen spot as a nonroster invitee, pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Does Suárez consider himself to be a pitcher capable of playing in the major leagues?
Henderson expressed his belief that Mateo possesses a natural speed that cannot be taught. He predicts that Mateo will have an impact on the team’s ability to steal bases. Henderson admires Mateo’s versatile skills, stating that he will be beneficial in any position he plays. Overall, he sees Mateo as a game-changer.
It is unclear if Suárez will make the opening day roster as Hyde revealed the five-man rotation on Thursday without including him. It is unlikely for a traditional long reliever to be chosen for the Orioles’ camp due to the number of off days in the initial month.
On the making of an ace: https://t.co/qPCcWJEbUM
“I was unfamiliar with him before he arrived, but I have developed a good rapport with him. He has been a pleasant surprise during training camp and reminds me of those talked about at the start. His fastball has consistently reached speeds of 96-97 mph and he has a strong understanding of pitching. He also possesses a solid cutter pitch and performed well when he faced the Red Sox’s varsity team tonight.”
Nevin is not defeated yet.
According to Hyde, Henderson’s main position this season will be shortstop, but he may also play third base if necessary during games. Henderson is looking forward to the stability, as he had to alternate between shortstop and third during his successful season as a rookie in the American League last year.
Baltimore has the best record of any MLB team this spring, with a
record of 20-6-2.
Grapefruit League
“I was given a heads up about my role in spring training,” stated Henderson. “Although I had a general understanding, I approached it with the right mindset and was able to focus on playing shortstop every day by taking the majority of the reps.”
Henderson was unable to attend the start of camp due to an oblique injury, but he has stated that he has fully recovered and is prepared for the opening day game on March 28th at Camden Yards. He currently has a .419 batting average and a 1.083 OPS in the spring season.
Mateo is listed on the roster, however there are still one to two openings in the infield to be filled.
Around the horn
He expressed confidence in making significant progress in that area.
This could potentially increase the value of the 22-year-old. He was already ranked highly among the AL’s top players according to Baseball-Reference’s wins above replacement in the previous year. However, if he primarily plays shortstop, he will have more chances to demonstrate his defensive skills.
Friday, 6:05 p.m.
Albert Suárez is known for being concise and he gave a short response to this question.
He stated, “I believe I demonstrated my readiness to pitch in the major leagues.” He also added, “While I cannot control the decision, I gave my all to prove that I am prepared to take on the big leagues.”
“He has consistently shown strong control of all his pitches and has been assertive in throwing strikes throughout the camp,” stated Hyde. “Once again, he delivered a stellar performance on the mound. It’s a valuable addition to our team and we are thrilled about it.”
