Frank Robinson made a good Orioles team great

Frank Robinson made a good Orioles team great
Here is all you need to know about Frank Robinson's massive impact on the Orioles: They have won three World Series since moving to Baltimore in 1954, and two of those three came during Robinson's six seasons with the club between 1966 and 1971. So, two World Series titles in six seasons with Robinson and one in the other 59 seasons he was not on the club as a player. Taking that further, they played in four World Series in his six seasons and twice in the other 59 years. They won 100 or more...
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One year after O's debut, Steve Wilkerson hoping for return trip

One year after O's debut, Steve Wilkerson hoping for return trip
For the Orioles' versatile Steve Wilkerson, the 2017 season was a very solid one. He was hoping 2018 would find him competing for a job as the club's utility infielder who can also play some outfield. That didn't happen and 2018 was a real challenge for him, even though he will always remember it as the year he made his major league debut and checked off a few firsts. The Orioles selected Wilkerson in the eighth round in 2014 out of Clemson. Mostly a second baseman for his first three years...
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Can a former overslot Houston draft pick make it with the Orioles?

Can a former overslot Houston draft pick make it with the Orioles?
In June 2012, current Orioles general manager Mike Elias was a key contributor to what was a strong draft for the Houston Astros. It was one that got them shortstop Carlos Correa and pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. for their first two picks. Houston's fifth pick in that 2012 draft was a California high school infielder named Rio Ruiz. He played for the Astros until they traded him to Atlanta in January 2015. During the Winter Meetings this December, the Orioles claimed Ruiz on waivers from...
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O's Keegan Akin on Michigan winter workouts, 2019 outlook

O's Keegan Akin on Michigan winter workouts, 2019 outlook
Give Orioles lefty pitching prospect Keegan Akin credit for being smart enough to know that while he had a strong 2018 season, hitters won't care about that when they face him in 2019. And Akin did have one impressive 2018 season. For Double-A Bowie, he went 14-7 with an ERA of 3.27 in 25 starts. Over 137 2/3 innings, he allowed 114 hits with 58 walks, 142 strikeouts and a .225 batting average against. Akin was named co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year by the Orioles, winning the Jim Palmer...
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After brief shot in majors, Cedric Mullins looks for more this season

After brief shot in majors, Cedric Mullins looks for more this season
As Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins gets set for the new season - one where he could be the everyday center fielder - he said the major league experience he gained late last year is very valuable to him now. "I think it was pretty important," said Mullins, who made his major league debut Aug. 10. "You get the nerves out. You get to see a lot of the guys that you will be facing in the future already. And get to study them." Mullins had a remarkable debut, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two...
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Pre-spring training edition: 10 questions for O's fans

Pre-spring training edition: 10 questions for O's fans
It's been too long. Our last edition of 10 questions was before Christmas, and now the countdown to the report date for Orioles pitchers and catchers is in single digits. The team will be playing spring training games in less than three weeks. So, per usual, answer one or all 10 questions and provide short answers or answers that are very expansive. Respond to the answers from other readers to keep a good conversation going. But also feel free to skip any questions you like. But dive in on...
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Still waiting on Machado and Harper as Kendall moves to Triple-A

Still waiting on Machado and Harper as Kendall moves to Triple-A
At the start of the offseason, MLBTradeRumors.com released its predictions for the free agents this winter. Bryce Harper was predicted to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers and get a 14-year contract for $420 million. Manny Machado was projected to sign with Philadelphia for 13 years and $390 million. So it's February and we are still waiting. Will either of these players get anywhere close to those numbers? For years we heard that teams like the Yankees were pointing specifically to this...
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Austin Wynns is set to bring intensity and passion to the field

Austin Wynns is set to bring intensity and passion to the field
When spring training begins and catcher Austin Wynns tries to show the new coaching staff what he can do, we know passion will not be in short supply. He's a high-energy, intense player who is clearly very invested in the pitcher-catcher combo and working together with his hurler to get a good result. Wynns made his major league debut last June 5 at the New York Mets and singled in his first at-bat. The club's 10th-round pick in 2013 got into 42 games with the Orioles and hit .255/.287/.382...
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Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close
The start of spring training is getting close for the Orioles. Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12, the first full-squad workout is Feb. 18 and the first game is set for Feb. 23. Opening day is March 28 at Yankee Stadium and a new season will be officially underway. With all this fast approaching there are still plenty of unanswered questions for the 2019 season. Here are a few of them. Who will fill out the starting rotation? In some order we know that Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Dylan...
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After strong Double-A year, Ryan Mountcastle is closer to the majors

After strong Double-A year, Ryan Mountcastle is closer to the majors
Many Orioles fans were not happy when the team failed to re-sign free agent slugger Nelson Cruz after his big 2014 season in Baltimore. It was a year where he led the majors in homers and the Orioles fell one step shy of the World Series. It was hard for fans to see Cruz go. The Orioles' consolation prize at the time was a compensatory draft pick, No. 36 overall, in the June draft in 2015. The Orioles selected a high school infielder from Florida named Ryan Mountcastle. Now one of the club's...
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So how did pitcher Dean Kremer get all of those strikeouts?

So how did pitcher Dean Kremer get all of those strikeouts?
As Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias told us last week in this interview, one key stat to help size up pitching prospects is strikeouts. Elias believes that stat can show dominance and tell us much about a pitcher's ability. Said Elias: "It just speaks to the quality of your stuff and the quality of your skill relative to your competitors. It's not perfect, but it's probably the most stable and one of the most trustworthy stats in terms of how good a pitcher's...
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With renewed confidence, Chance Sisco is ready to attack 2019

With renewed confidence, Chance Sisco is ready to attack 2019
Coming off a season where he posted the worst offensive numbers of his pro career, it would seem Chance Sisco's goal for the 2019 season is lofty. But as he rebuilds his confidence and hopefully finds his previous batting stroke, he feels it is reachable. "Obviously, I want to be the starting catcher," Sisco said during a FanFest interview. "Who doesn't want to be a starter? I want to be back there every day. I just want to keep growing and keep learning. We've got a really good coaching...
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FanFest follow-up: Notes and quotes with Hyde, Davis, McKenna, Mountcastle and Hall

FanFest follow-up: Notes and quotes with Hyde, Davis, McKenna, Mountcastle and Hall
Young players on the Orioles will be getting some on-the-job training in 2019. It's been said of prospects in baseball that many truly finish their development only when they get to the majors. New Orioles manager Brandon Hyde concurs and expects some of that to be happening with players on his first team in Baltimore. "I think it's not just us," Hyde said. "Players are getting younger in the big leagues and there is so much development that is still happening with even championship-level...
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Hunter Harvey said he feels healthy and ready for the new season

Hunter Harvey said he feels healthy and ready for the new season
Orioles right-hander Hunter Harvey is feeling healthy and ready to start the 2019 season. Certainly, knock on wood when you say that. Several physical ailments, including Tommy John surgery and later elbow, shoulder and forearm issues at various times, have limited him in recent seasons. Harvey posted a 5.57 ERA in nine starts for Double-A Bowie in 2018 and threw 32 1/3 innings. He's pitched just 63 2/3 innings since the start of the 2015 season. So he's hoping this is the year to be healthy...
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Hearing from Kline, Scott and Tate at FanFest

Hearing from Kline, Scott and Tate at FanFest
Right-handed reliever Branden Kline, from Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Md., heard about FanFest plenty of times as a kid, but never made it here. Today he did for the first time as a member of the Orioles' 40-man roster. Kline produced a strong 2018 season between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie and was added to the 40 on Oct. 30. He'll head to spring training in a few weeks with a chance to have an impact on the big league roster this year. "First FanFest. Being a local...
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O's right-hander Dylan Bundy on his 2018 and more at FanFest

O's right-hander Dylan Bundy on his 2018 and more at FanFest
Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy did both some looking back and some looking forward when he was interviewed by reporters today at FanFest. Bundy said he's talked a few times to new manager Brandon Hyde and new pitching coach Doug Brocail. He got to see both in person last night. A reporter suggested that the starting rotation is a bit of mystery heading into training camp. "Mysteries are exciting," said Bundy. "New staff and lot of new faces around. Definitely looking forward to it. I'm...
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Yastrzemski heading to spring training, O's in Australia and Mussina's plaque

Yastrzemski heading to spring training, O's in Australia and Mussina's plaque
It was a bit of a surprise for me yesterday to see outfielder Mike Yastrzemski's name among the 18 Orioles non-roster invitees to spring training. It will be his first time joining those on the 40-man roster in big league camp. Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12 and the first spring game is Feb. 23. Yastrzemski has always had a lot of support from fans around Birdland, and I can think of two major reasons for that. One is that he has a famous baseball name and is the grandson of Hall of...
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Let's talk pitching: The Mike Elias Q&A, Part II

Let's talk pitching: The Mike Elias Q&A, Part II
Here is the second part of the interview with Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias on the minors and player development. If you missed part one, it's here. Today, a little more focus on pitching. The organization Elias left, the Houston Astros, has a strong reputation for developing young pitchers. On Houston's current top 30 prospects list on MLBPipeline.com, four of the top six are pitchers, and so are six of the top 10 and 10 of the first 14. Right-hander Forrest...
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Elias with Q&A on player development and the farm

Elias with Q&A on player development and the farm
If he wants to develop that "elite talent pipeline" to build the Orioles from a 115-loss club into one that can one day win a championship, player development and the minor leagues will be critical for Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. Elias provided this quote on that topic during the Winter Meetings: "This is an area, scouting and player development, where I have been my whole career. Where Sig (Mejdal) has spent most of his career. And we've had a lot of...
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The trip started in Montoursville and will end up in Cooperstown

The trip started in Montoursville and will end up in Cooperstown
When Mike Mussina made it to Cooperstown on his sixth try last night, he also became the 23rd player, coach or front office executive with modern-day ties to the Baltimore Orioles to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After playing 10 seasons with the Orioles and eight for the New York Yankees, Mussina made it clear in two separate interviews last night that he will not express a preference as to whether he goes into the Hall with an O's or Yankees cap on his plaque. "You know,...
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