A look at MLB Network's stop at O's camp

The Orioles got some national attention this week when MLB Network aired its “30 clubs in 15 days preview” on the Orioles on Thursday afternoon. 

If you missed it, the analysts are high on the 2024 Orioles with former player Cliff Floyd projecting another 100-win year.

Yes, expectations are very high for a club that was 47-115 in the 2018 season and won just 54 games in 2019 and 52 in 2021. That was before the big leap to 83 victories in 2022 and last year to 101 which included a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and an AL East title for the first time since 2014.

Players that once were expected to be on a team predicted for last place, now have very different expectations. How will they handle that?

“You know our guys are not fazed by anything,” manager Brandon Hyde told MLB Network. “We have taken such strides the last couple of years. Last year is something we are really proud of, winning the AL East with this group.

“Our guys have been unbelievably consistent. I don’t think anything has changed this year. I don’t think our guys are reading anything (about expectations). We play in the toughest division in baseball, and we know that. Those teams have gotten better, and we need to improve as well.”

Hyde believes the O’s can get better.

“I think we have room to improve, for sure," he said "A lot of our guys are just getting to their prime years, or some are younger than that. Guys will build off the seasons they had last year. We have a really strong farm, and you will see more players come up this year. I think defensively and pitching, that will be the key.”

Analyst Alex Avila discussed the addition of right-hander Corbin Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner.

“I think he helps them trying to repeat as division winners, in a division that is going to be stacked. If they are able to do that he helps going into the postseason as a bonafide No. 1. I think what he also does is when he is on the mound that is win day. It is always big to have a pitcher with that gravitas and presence. He gives them confidence every five days and has an impact on the rest of that rotation," he said. 

Some other quotes from the show:

Jackson Holliday on having a chance to make the team: “I think I told the reporters after I did my draft press conference, I wanted to be in the big leagues in two years. I think I’m heading in that direction. That was my goal. Excited to be here and can’t think of a better situation.”

Adley Rutschman said he has goals, but they don’t involve specific stats: “Baseball is so tough, I like to make process-oriented goals. It’s so tough in baseball to say, ‘I want to hit .290 or 30 homers, whatever it is.’ But, for me, it’s the day-to-day. If I can set my goals on a daily basis to try and make my routines as good as possible. Figure out how I will be best prepared to play that game. What are things I need to get better at and hammering away at those.”

Gunnar Henderson on his oblique issue: “It’s great. Been in my full progression now and doing full workouts and should be good for games here in the next week or so.”

Grayson Rodriguez on the year’s expectations: “I think they are high. It’s going to be really fun. You know the clubhouse is excited and I think we’re ready to get after it. You know the goal is the World Series. We’re excited. We’re hungry.”

Via MLB Network on Twitter/X, here is a link to an interview between Jim Callis and Holliday. 

The minor league schedule: The Orioles minor league spring camp is well underway in Sarasota at Twin Lakes Park. The Orioles have put out the schedule of minor league spring training home games that begin on March 13 with the O's two Single-A clubs hosting Atlanta at 1 p.m. Typically if the A ball clubs are home the Double-A and Triple-A teams play the same club on the road. Click here to link the minors schedule.

Workouts are open to fans at Twin Lakes beginning today through March 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.