More notes from today's workout
Manager Dave Trembley confirmed that Brad Hennessey will start Wednesday's exhibition opener against the New York Mets at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
The Orioles conducted pop-up, baserunning and bunting drills today. They'll have pick-off, rundown and sliding drills tomorrow, and take infield before Tuesday's game against Italy.
Trembley expressed some concerns over Felix Pie's absence in camp. He's hoping to learn more about the outfielder's status tomorrow morning.
"The factors are that he's a guy that we've counted on to get into camp and work with Crow (hitting coach Terry Crowley), plus he's out of options," Trembley said. "It's getting to the point where it's important for him to get here. We're going to start playing games and I want to get him acclimated to his new teammates and coaching staff. I would concur that I'll feel a whole lot better when he gets here."
None of the projected regulars are scheduled to play Tuesday. They'll work out on the back fields.
Asked if Matt Wieters will catch, Trembley smiled and said, "I think he's got a shot."
Trembley said Brandon Snyder will play some third base this spring and might get his first chance on Tuesday.
No matter where Snyder plays, he's expected to hit.
"The second day he was here, I said, 'I remember throwing BP to you in instructional league five years ago when I was managing in the minor leagues.' And the one thing that always impressed me about him is that he's got very good power to the other side of the field," Trembley said.
"He can really hit the ball hard to right field and right-center field. That's very hard to teach a young guy. A lot of guys, they just want to come up and pull. But he's got very good opposite-field strength and power. He's got an idea how to handle a bat.
"He's one of the guys who's very appreciative to be here. I think he's settled in nicely. Maybe the first day, he was a little nervous. A lot of these guys are like that, but we're trying to make them comforable. He's got a chance to be a very good offensive player.
"He's told me he wants to play a little third base here. He'll get some time in that Italy game to play first and maybe play a little third. He's an offensive player."
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Hey Roch, how come some players just get a free ride without ever having to prove themselves in the bigs such as "where is Felix Pie"? When others players are busting their humps to just get a chance at making this team? New player, new team, new beginning, I would have made sure my paperwork was in order and my butt would have been in FL a week early. How long are the O's going to wait until they DFA him?
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I sense that patience is beginning to wear thin, but Pie is out of options and an important part of this year's club, so they don't have much choice except to wait. - Roch
Roch- was Schmuck wearing a Carolina blue Hawaiian shirt when the turtle pissed all over him? UM athletics are just plain bizarre. Beat UNC, lose to Morgan state, beat Michigan State, blow one to Miami up by 17. Football was the same way this season. Erratic but erratic is better than lousy all of the time.
This Pie situation is not good for him. I definitely do NOT pencil him in as the everyday guy like we did with AJ. Keep him on the roster sure, but he better be one amazing fielder to justify that undiscerning eye.
Good news about Snyder. He seems to have gone from stalled out prospect to back on the radar in a hurry with his recent hitting performances in the second half and the fall. Would love to see him succeed!
Speaking of great minor league hitters, how's that Travis Hafner doing? I think he could be really good when they bring him up in the Indians organization.
I'm really enjoying this spring training. Actual games this week!
Roch - anyone seen Brian Bass around? He's out of options too, correct? Just wondering where he might land.
Thanks!
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I didn't think he was out of options. He's here and a candidate for the rotation or a long relief role. Like so many others. - Roch
Roch,
I know we are all dying to hear how Wieters does so if he catches on Tuesday we'll be looking to you for up to the minute updates. Can't wait!
As for my question in a previous thread regarding audio broadcasts of the O's ST games (for all us fanatics) I wanted to share the list of the 12 games that are going to be broadcast on the radio (we all know what station it is):
Wednesday, Feb. 25 1:05 New York Mets
Saturday, Feb. 28 1:05 Florida Marlins
Monday, March 2 1:05 Boston Red Sox
Friday, March 6 1:05 Washington Nationals
Sunday, March 8 1:05 Minnesota Twins
Wednesday, March 11 1:05 Minnesota Twins
Sunday, March 18 1:05 St. Louis Cardinals
Friday, March 20 1:05 New York Mets
Tuesday, March 24 1:05 Washington Nationals
Sunday, March 29 1:05 New York Mets
Tuesday, March 31 1:05 St. Louis Cardinals
Wednesday, April 1 1:05 Florida Marlins
One last thing, any comment/thoughts on Oil Can Boyd wanting to make a comeback at 49? And he's dead serious.
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Has he been playing catch with Johnny Pesky? - Roch
I have been hearing about Brian Snyder's power for a couple years now and it seems pretty impressive. I am hoping he is good enough defensively at first to come up to the big leagues by next year and get a shot to stick around. Also sounds like people are pretty impressed by Hennessy so far, we might end up with only one open spot in the rotation if him and Rich Hill secure two next to Guts and Koji.
Roch,
Since the Italy exhibition game on Tuesday is not considered a Spring Training game, are the tickets free? Also, is there a reason the MLB has not recognized the game as a Spring Training game? It seems to me that the game will mean the same as when the O's play the Dominican Republic in March.
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These games aren't part of the Grapefruit League schedule, so they don't "count." I assume tickets are free, though to be safe, I'd call Fort Lauderdale Stadium. - Roch
sounds like the kid wants to throw some leather around, too.
why all the offense-only talk? Let him become an all-round player,
he's still young.
I HOPE TO SEE SNYDER IN AAA THIS YEAR AND IN BALTIMORE IN 2010 - WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER HE WAS DRAFTED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL -
Jack said...
"Mora is nothing more then a whiner and a cancer in the dugout."
Look up the definition of "irony" in the dictionary Jack. Then look in the mirror. Please report back with your conclusions.
I have always made comparisons between two of my favorite teams- the O's and Newcastle United in the English Premier League (soccer/football) because they both have great traditions, a blue collar fanbase which is extremely loyal, and an inept ownership that spends money but never in the right way. Unfortunately Newcastle has not yet turned the corner and their fans just today held a rally against ownership.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/7904698.stm
Sound familiar? I go back and forth about the relevance of such protests. To get to the point of a protest, everyone is in agreement that the organization is "broken" and a protest can be perceived as piling on. But on the flip side, fans should have a voice and especially when ownership is not being proactive in addressing major shortcomings. Ultimately, a protest is probably just a symptom of the organization's dysfunction- neither making the situation worse nor causing change. But sometimes pissing in the wind is the only recourse. Regardless, I am glad the Orioles are moving forward in a very dynamic and systematic way. I'm sad that Newcastle is so far behind that change process.
first like to say very good job with the blog Roch been reading it all the time.
I don't know much about snyder, so was wondering if he was a young guy and what his chances are of making the team if they go with 4 man bench, i mean does he have options left? thanks
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Thanks Kyle. He was a first-round pick out of high school in '05. Drafted as catcher, moved to third base, then to first. Spent all of last season at Single-A Frederick, so he's not ready for the majors. He'll play first base at Double-A Bowie this season. A prospect, for sure. - Roch
Baserunning drills should do this bunch some good. It makes me miss Kevin Millar a lot less. I'm not nearly as sentimental for him as the guys on the team seem to be, from that standpoint.
And popup drills. I assume they'll drill it into Radames Liz's head not to run over and try to catch a popup in foul ground that is the catcher's ball. The guy drove me up a wall more than once last year. I always remember a phonetic aid to Radames is that it rhymes with what-a-mess.
Got our boy pitching first game Roch...hope he does well..realy is starting to be a concern about Pie..hope he gets there soon...Weiters and Snyder...nice to hear good things about the future of the O's...I can't wait to see Weiters later this spring...he could realy give the O's an extra lift if he comes up and hits the ball great...as I always say..if the O's get any decent pitching I think they will be darn good...
jack@$$,
Ummmm, look at the stats Mora HAD MORE RBI's than ARod last year...get your head outta your @$$ and stfu.
We really don't need you here. The consensus among people that KNOW baseball is that we have made great strides recently and we have spent more money this offseason than everyone BUT the spanks. (almost as much as the Phils).
Before you spew your diatribes of bs why don't you pay attention to what we've done and the money we've spent...yeah real cheap, so once again just stfu, thanks.
"Baron said:
Jack said...
"Mora is nothing more then a whiner and a cancer in the dugout."
Look up the definition of "irony" in the dictionary Jack. Then look in the mirror. Please report back with your conclusions."
Not the Alanis definition, but the Webster definition, correct?
Either way...
Baron, I think I love you more and more every day you post something to Jack.
And I'm really not that kind of girl.
Roch, will we be able to listen to the games on line at 105.7 the fan? was wondering because up in Glen Rock, PA I dont get it lol the station i listen the o's games on are 1350 am not sure if they will cover the spring games or not. thanks
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Not unless there will be a late scheduling change. - Roch
Did BRob participate in the bunting drills? How did he look? was he taking it seriously?
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He was bunting on one of the back fields. - Roch
HEY JACK @SS!!!
GET OFF ROCH'S BLOG AND START PUTTING YOUR JUNK ON WNST'S BLOG. THEY PROMOTE THEIR BLOG AS THE NO. 1 BLOG IN SPORTS. MAYBE YOU CAN GET ON THEIR WNST TV? I THINK IT'S IN HD? THEY ARE CONSTANTLY THROWING DIGS AT ROCH, TOM DAVIS, PETER SCHMUCK AND OTHERS BY SAYING THEY'RE ALL ON THE "ORIOLES PAYROLL". GET OVER THERE WITH THOSE LOSERS WHERE YOU BELONG, YOU'LL MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY.
JO