It is a question I often get from fans, and when I recently interviewed Jim Callis from MLBPipeline.com, I asked him to identify a couple of under-the-radar or underrated Orioles prospects.
We often talk about those at the top of a top 30 list, but those down the list deserve some mention, too. Callis is a big fan of a couple of O's prospects rated in the second half of the MLBPipeline.com Orioles top 30 list.
One is outfielder Hudson Haskin, ranked No. 16 by MLBPipeline.com. He was the...
For the Orioles, the strikeouts and the frustrations are both mounting.
After riding a high-scoring 18 runs in sweeping three games in Boston, the Orioles have been doing a lot of swinging and missing while losing the first two games of their series in the Bronx.
The Birds were held to seven hits and fanned 14 times tonight, losing 7-2 to right-hander Gerrit Cole and the Yankees.
An out away from being blanked for the second night in a row, Ryan Mountcastle beat out an infield single with two...
When the Orioles play the Yankees tonight in Game 2 of a three-game series, right-hander Dean Kremer will make his first start of the season. After his call-up last year, his first two big league starts were against the Yankees.
And Kremer pitched well in both games.
He allowed one run in six innings in the first and one run in five innings in the second. So he went 11 innings, allowing five hits and two runs, with six walks and fanned 14. The first two big league batters he faced were DJ...
Ticketed to start the 2020 season at Triple-A Norfolk, outfielder Ryan McKenna, like all minor league players, didn't get in any games last summer. He spent a lot of time putting in quality work at the O's alternate site and trying to improve his game.
He was on the taxi squad a few times, traveling with the Orioles, but never made the active roster.
Yesterday he did.
When Austin Hays went to the injured list, the 24-year-old McKenna was activated. And then he got a start. Before he's ever...
So much for easing in a Rule 5 draft pick. That was the hope and goal for O's skipper Brandon Hyde with his Rule 5 pitchers, but it doesn't always work out that way. One Rule 5 pick, righty Tyler Wells, made it into the blowout win Sunday. But right-hander Mac Sceroler did not.
A pitcher that had not thrown above High-A ball took the mound last night. It was the Yankee Stadium mound. It was to face Aaron Judge. Did I mention the bases were loaded?
Go get 'em, kid.
And he did.
It would be...
For 31 innings to start the 2021 season, Orioles pitchers were throwing a lot of strikes. But in the fifth inning tonight, they didn't at Yankee Stadium. And it led to their first loss of the year.
Right-hander Jorge López was mostly rolling through four innings tonight, just about matching Yankees lefty Jordan Montgomery in a pitchers' duel. It was 1-0 Yankees in the opener of a three-game series.
Aaron Judge hit a 344-foot homer - a Yankee Stadium special - to right field on a 2-0...
After a three-game sweep by a combined 18-5 score at Boston, the Orioles begin a three-game series in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium tonight. New York has begun the year 1-2. They lost 3-2 in 10 innings to Toronto in their opener. They won their second game 5-3 on Saturday and lost to the Blue Jays 3-1 on Sunday.
So New York scored just eight runs in that opening series. The top four in tonight's batting order - DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton - are a combined 7-for-45...
There was a lot to like about the Orioles' big weekend in Fenway Park. Besides winning all three games, there was outstanding pitching, solid defense and some timely hitting.
The Orioles pitching held Boston to five runs and 15 hits over 27 innings with six walks to 24 strikeouts. They walked two batters in each game, and throwing strikes like that would be a very welcome sight this year.
The ERA for the three games was 1.67.The starters' ERA was 2.55 as John Means, Matt Harvey and Bruce...
For Orioles batters, it was like a stroll in the park today. Fenway Park. They came through early and often. The pitchers carried the club to the first two wins in this series and the O's got more solid pitching today. But the batters really broke out the lumber.
Cedric Mullins had five hits, including three doubles, and the O's scored seven runs in the top of the third as they routed the Red Sox 11-3.
They sweep the series and have their first 3-0 start since the 2017 club won its first...
The Orioles have used strong pitching and some clutch hitting to produce two wins over the Boston Red Sox. They've batted .313 (5-for-16) with runners in scoring position in the series, while O's pitchers have allowed just two runs in two games.
Wins by 3-0 and 4-2 have them set up to sweep this three-game series if they win this afternoon. The Red Sox last scored just two runs over their first two games in 1976. That was also against the Orioles in games started by Jim Palmer and Ken...
If it's a long reliever you seek, check out the Orioles bullpen. They have several there, waiting their chance.
They include newcomer Adam Plutko and former starter Wade LeBlanc, along with the club's two Rule 5 draft picks - right-handers Tyler Wells and Mac Sceroler.
Plutko made his O's debut on Saturday and pitched very well in his long relief outing. He threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings and got the win against Boston.
Wells, drafted out of the Minnesota Twins organization, has not pitched in...
They will want him to get deeper into the games, but besides that, right-hander Matt Harvey did a lot right in his Orioles debut today. He kept his team in the game, even though he didn't get a decision.
Harvey gave up two runs over 4 2/3 innings in his official club debut this afternoon at Fenway Park. The Orioles pulled out a 4-2 win over the Red Sox to win this series and produce a 2-0 start.
New Birds pitcher Adam Plutko had a strong relief outing. He kept Boston off the board over 2 1/3...
After posting the sixth opening day shutout - and first since 2005 - in club history yesterday, the Orioles play the second game of their series in Boston this afternoon.
Lefty John Means allowed just one hit over seven innings and two relievers joined him to team on a two-hitter in Friday's 3-0 win at Fenway Park. Means threw 97 pitches, 65 for strikes. He retired the last 18 batters he faced as Boston batters went 2-for-29 on the day against Means, Tanner Scott and César Valdez.
Over his...
A player with just two career innings in the majors at second base - and none in the minors - was called on to make three big defensive plays on Friday.
The ball will always find you.
For inexperienced second sacker Rio Ruiz, it did on opening day in Boston. Two challenging popups running into the outfield that he had to chase down and a diving stop to his left to rob Alex Verdugo leading off in the last of the seventh.
All big in a close, low-scoring game.
"I think the first fly ball I had,...
As far as opening day games go, this one was hard to beat.
John Means was dealing, Trey Mancini officially returned to the sport and young Ryan Mountcastle came up with a clutch two-run double. The Orioles had their first win of the year and first shutout on opening day in 16 years.
Means joined a list of five O's starters who took the ball in an opener where the team would go on to win by a shutout.
* 1973, O's win 10-0 versus Milwaukee. Dave McNally pitched a three-hitter with no walks and...
Whether lefty John Means becomes a true ace pitcher for the Orioles in the future or not, he showed us today what one looks like.
Means was absolutely dominant in a 3-0 win over the Red Sox on opening day in Boston. Means allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings as the Orioles recorded their first opening day shutout since 2005. Then they beat Oakland 4-0 as Rodrigo Lopez threw six scoreless innings. It was the sixth opening day shutout in club history.
Means today became the first pitcher in...
The Orioles open their 68th season today when they play the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. It is the start of a three-game series and season-opening six-game road trip that also takes the Orioles to Yankee Stadium before the April 8 home opener. That is also against Boston.
The 2020 Orioles played 40 of their 60 games within the American League East. They went 5-5 against Boston, 4-6 versus Tampa Bay, 3-7 against New York and 2-8 versus Toronto. They went 5-14 in division road games.
At 12-15...
Ryan Mountcastle is ready for a special day: his first opening day in the major leagues. His first game last year was on Aug. 21. Today he is in the Orioles lineup as cleanup hitter and DH for the season opener at Boston.
It's a big milestone.
"Yeah, for sure," he said. "I've gone to big league spring training four or five times and I've gotten sent down every time. The first time I get to break with the club it's definitely a surreal moment and something I'll cherish, for sure."
And...
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has said he believes his team will score some runs and has some real upside on offense. He's got a point, with players like Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander.
You can add to that the speed of Cedric Mullins and the hope to get some offense out of other spots that would exceed what was produced there last year.
Here is a look at where the Orioles ranked by position last year in OPS in the American League and I'll list which player or...
Can a pitcher that had a stunning finish to one season carry that over to the next? Can two pitchers do it?
If they can, then Orioles lefty John Means and Boston right-hander Nathan Eovaldi may have strong starts in today's season opener.
Means (2-4, 4.53 in 2020) and Eovaldi (4-2, 3.72 in 2020) will start on opening day at Fenway Park at 2:10 p.m.
The Orioles will begin their 68th season. They are 43-24 all-time on opening day, winning eight of the last 10, nine of 12 and 15 of the previous...