Anticipating some Orioles camp competitions

Is it too early to start plucking favorite storylines from the spring training tree?

I'll reach for some of the low-hanging ideas that may come to fruition.

(Let's pause here and fully appreciate that last sentence.)

This is a topic worth revisiting in a month or two. Perhaps after the locks are removed from the free agent market.

In the meantime, here are four:

Who's in the rotation behind John Means and Jordan Lyles?
This feels like a mailbag question.

Tracking the competition is a yearly venture. The Orioles don't begin camp with a set rotation, though in many years the drama centered only on the fifth starter.

Sort of like the utility player. It's necessary but also pretty tame.

Means and Lyles are the only certainties on this date, but the Orioles remain in the hunt for pitching. They could repeat last winter's cost-efficient strategy with minor league deals for veterans in need of a bounce-back season.

Matt Harvey made the club this year as the No. 2 starter, but Félix Hernández didn't stay in the organization or pitch in 2021 and Wade LeBlanc lasted only six games.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann earned the third spot with a dominant spring, but a job won't be handed to him. I like his chances, with no guarantees.

The rest of the competition includes Keegan Akin, Dean Kremer, Zac Lowther, Alexander Wells and Mike Baumann. Jorge López also is in there if the team is undecided about his role.

Every side session and exhibition appearance is important to this group. Here's hoping that the media will be allowed to watch.

Will Adley Rutschman be given a fair shot?
Baseball's No. 1 prospect is going to make his major league debut next season, but he might have to wait a little longer and do some more catching at Triple-A Norfolk.

Or not.

A new collective bargaining agreement with adjusted service time rules could influence the decision.

Or not.

Rutschman doesn't know whether he can work the controls of his own fate, but it's going to be real interesting to keep checking his spring numbers and obsessing over his every move. His first camp with at least a remote chance to make the club.

At least that's what we can tell ourselves.

Can Rougned Odor avoid being Yolmer Sánchez?
The Orioles designated Sánchez for assignment on March 27 after he appeared certain to start at second base on opening day despite his struggles at the plate. A former Gold Glove winner cast aside to make room for reliever Adam Plutko.

Sánchez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1 million deal, went 8-for-39 (.205) with a .484 OPS in exhibition games, wasn't as reliable as advertised in the field and spent the year at Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves system. His salary was guaranteed only on opening day and the Orioles were responsible for about a quarter of it.

Rio Ruiz became an experiment at second base and didn't make it through the summer.

Odor isn't costing much, either, with the Orioles owing only the major league minimum that needs to be set in the new collective bargaining agreement. He isn't assured of running down the orange carpet in Baltimore. It's conceivable that he plays his way off the team and the Orioles again come up with a Plan B - which this time should be an actual second baseman.

Do I think Odor survives the camp cuts? Yes, but I felt the same about Sánchez.

Let's see what happens.

Who's on the left side of the infield?
We first need to know whether the Orioles sign another shortstop or third baseman. But there are in-house candidates who are going to tussle for starting or backup roles to avoid being optioned or put on waivers.

Should be fun.

Ramón Urías is out of minor league options and seems assured of occupying a roster spot based on his work in 2021. But anything can happen.

Kelvin Gutiérrez also is out of options and trying to win the job at third base. He isn't as versatile as Urías.

Jorge Mateo also is out of options, but his blazing speed and former status as a top prospect could nudge him ahead of some other competitors unless he's a total dud down in Florida. The Orioles love the tools. He should get a very long look in camp.

Jahmai Jones could be blocked by Odor, but there's also the outfield if the Orioles are comfortable using him in a utility role rather than giving him steady reps at second base with Norfolk.

Richie Martin was outrighted to Norfolk after clearing waivers, but that doesn't prevent him from vying for a spot at shortstop or in a backup role in the middle infield.

Here's where this topic becomes interactive.

1. Give me your starting five, and don't be afraid to get bold and include a pitcher who isn't currently in the organization.

2. Does Rutschman have a legitimate chance to break camp with the team rather than the hearts of fans who don't want him in Norfolk?

3. Is Odor the second baseman on opening day?

4. Who starts on the left side of the infield?

5. Did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone?

(Sorry, ignore that last one. Unrelated to the Orioles.)