Steve Melewski

Will the Orioles improve against left-handed pitching in 2017?

Will the Orioles improve against left-handed pitching in 2017?
The Orioles struggled to hit left-handed pitching last season, ranking last in the American League in batting average, slugging and OPS against southpaws. At a time when they could see a few lefties in the AL East starting in April, they will need to improve those numbers. As a team, the Orioles hit .234/.301/.391 against left-handers last season, ranking 15th, 14th and 15th among all AL teams, respectively, in average, OBP and slugging. The Orioles fared much better against right-handed...
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Steve Melewski

A look at both first-pitch swings and working counts, plus links

A look at both first-pitch swings and working counts, plus links
It would probably not surprise an Orioles fan to know that their team was among the American League leaders in number of times swinging at the first pitch of an at-bat last season. It might surprise to know they fared pretty well at it. In 2016, Orioles hitters swung at the first pitch 30.6 percent of the time, trailing only Houston at 34.7 percent and Tampa Bay at 32.8. Boston took the most first pitches, swinging just 20.9 percent of the time. The league average was a swing rate of 27.9...
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Steve Melewski

Outfield platoon talk

Outfield platoon talk
How many platoon spots in the outfield are too many? Right now, the Orioles appear headed for platoon situations in both left and right field. That is probably fine, since the only other lineup spot looking at a potential platoon is designated hitter, pending how the rest of the offseason goes with signings and/or acquisitions. Going by the 2016 statistics, the Orioles ranked below average on offense in left field, above average in center field and well above average in right field. But Adam...
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Steve Melewski

A few ramifications of the Seth Smith trade

A few ramifications of the Seth Smith trade
The Orioles made a nice addition on Friday. They added a lefty-hitting corner outfielder with solid numbers against right-handed pitching and one that could upgrade their team on-base percentage. They acquired 34-year-old Seth Smith from the Seattle Mariners for right-handed starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations. So what happens now and how does that deal impact the outfield, lineup and rotation moving forward? Smith is a platoon player: Smith has clearly defined splits and...
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Steve Melewski

O's add outfielder, subtract pitcher in Smith-for-Gallardo trade

O's add outfielder, subtract pitcher in Smith-for-Gallardo trade
In one trade this afternoon, the Orioles added a corner outfielder and solved their six-for-five starting rotation problem. They acquired Seth Smith from Seattle for right-hander Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations. Both players had one year remaining on their contracts, although the Orioles held a 2018 option on Gallardo. Smith signed an extension with Seattle in July 2014 that paid him $6 million in 2015 and $6.75 million last year. An option on his deal for 2017 was picked up for $7...
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Steve Melewski

Still looking for outfielders, as some names come off the board

Still looking for outfielders, as some names come off the board
It can be easy to feel that time is running out on the Orioles to add an outfielder now that the calender has flipped to 2017. But while there is still plenty of time to make an addition or two, several outfielders have come of the board. When the free agent season began, the Orioles were certainly unlikely to pursue the bigger dollar options and apparently were indeed not in the hunt for Yoenis Cespedes, Dexter Fowler or Ian Desmond. Other outfielders that have signed for 2017:* Josh Reddick...
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Steve Melewski

It's been a very different offseason for free agent spending

It's been a very different offseason for free agent spending
You don't have to look very long and hard to figure out that teams are spending much less on free agents this year throughout baseball. But that doesn't mean teams are curtailing their spending, as much as the crop of players is very different from year to year. Last winter, 10 free agents signed for total dollars of $80 million or more. This winter, just four players have signed for $80 million or more. Last winter, of the top 10 contracts, seven went to starting pitchers, including two that...
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Steve Melewski

Prospect profile: Brian Gonzalez made solid improvements in 2016

Prospect profile: Brian Gonzalez made solid improvements in 2016
In the minor leagues, sometimes a young player has to repeat a level to improve. That was the case in the 2016 season for Orioles left-handed pitching prospect Brian Gonzalez. A third-round pick (No. 90 overall) in the 2014 draft, Gonzalez pitched at Single-A Delmarva in 2015 at 19. He went 4-9 with a 5.71 ERA. Last season, back again with the Shorebirds at 20, Gonzalez went 10-8 with a 2.50 ERA and ranked third in the South Atlantic League in ERA and innings. He ranked second in ERA among...
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Steve Melewski

Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman provide hope for future rotations

Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman provide hope for future rotations
At a time when the Orioles farm system gets plenty of criticism, the organization also may be heading into a near future with two first-round draft picks heading up its starting rotation. Perhaps for many years to come. The Orioles drafted right-hander Dylan Bundy No. 4 overall out of Owassa (Okla.) High School in 2011. He was the last first-round pick by scouting director Joe Jordan. They selected Kevin Gausman, also No. 4 overall, in 2012 out of LSU. He was first top pick for current scouting...
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Steve Melewski

The Orioles may have to move on from Mark Trumbo

The Orioles may have to move on from Mark Trumbo
For free agent Mark Trumbo, the new year begins with old questions: Will he be an Oriole in 2017? If not Baltimore, where does he end up? And at what price? Trumbo turned down the Orioles' qualifying offer. They then made him at least one four-year offer that was reported to be in the $52 million range. While that seemed low, it seems more in line when you consider that Ian Desmond got a five-year, $70 million deal from Colorado and Edwin Encarnacion got three years and $60 million with a...
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Steve Melewski

For starters, another look at the rotation

For starters, another look at the rotation
Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Orioles will go as far as their rotation will take them. We seem to say it about every year and it's pretty much true just about every year. So on the first day of 2017, let's say it here for the first of many times it will said and written, both before and during next season. Along those lines, can the O's rotation be better next season? Of course it can and maybe there were signs in the second half of last season that it actually will be. At...
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Steve Melewski

Some final 2016 gripes while looking ahead to 2017

Some final 2016 gripes while looking ahead to 2017
It's the last day of the year and you know what that means - one last chance to gripe or complain about something about the Orioles for this calender year. If you don't do it here today, you will have to wait until 2017 to start anew. I kid, I kid. Hey, I can be as snarky as the next guy or gal, probably more so. My emotions can get the best of me in the comments section sometimes. But I do try to always be true to my feelings and thoughts and just say what I feel. Sometimes I write things...
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Steve Melewski

Some fans see the future and are very concerned

Some fans see the future and are very concerned
When I wrote this blog yesterday pondering the Orioles' future, we saw some interesting reactions and comments from fans and readers. Some see the future and see, well, pretty much a disaster. Here is what one reader wrote: * The window has already closed. When you do nothing of significance while the teams directly around you get better, the window has closed. It is the height of foolishness to claim repeatedly that our rotation is good. Our rotation is terrible. We have two, possibly three,...
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Steve Melewski

The Orioles balance a hopeful present with an uncertain future

The Orioles balance a hopeful present with an uncertain future
It is often debated among Orioles fans how the organization should look to balance keeping a strong core of players intact to try and win through 2018 while also looking to the future beyond that. We see almost daily comments here suggesting that a trade of Manny Machado and/or Zach Britton could help rebuild and reload a farm system rated in the bottom third by most national analysts. No doubt such a trade could benefit the club's future, but what would it mean for the present and the next...
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Steve Melewski

A statistical look at the Orioles' 2016 team pitching

A statistical look at the Orioles' 2016 team pitching
Yesterday, we took a statistical look at how the 2016 Orioles' team offense ranked against the rest of the American League. Today, we do the same with the team pitching stats. After each stat, the rank within the AL is listed along with the AL average, when available. * 4.22 team ERA (10th, 4.20)* 4.72 starter ERA (13th, 4.43)* 3.40 bullpen ERA (first, 3.84)* 1 complete game (tied for 11th, 3)* 69 quality starts (tied for 11th, 76)* .258 batting average against (ninth, .257)* 1,248 strikeouts...
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Steve Melewski

A statistical look at the Orioles' 2016 team offense

A statistical look at the Orioles' 2016 team offense
Here is a look at how the Orioles offense ranked against the rest of the American League in the 2016 season. Each stat is listed along with how that ranked in the 15-team AL along with the AL average number when it was available. Some stats were compiled from FanGraphs.com. * .256 batting average (ninth, .257)* .317 on-base percentage (10th, .321)* 253 home runs (first, 197)* .443 slugging (second, .423)* .760 OPS (third, .744) * 1,324 strikeouts (fifth, 1,273)* 21.7 strikeout rate (fifth)* 468...
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Steve Melewski

The search for an outfielder continues

The search for an outfielder continues
If the Orioles found an outfielder under their tree yesterday, they are not saying so yet. That must have been a pretty big tree, however. As the end of the calender year approaches, the Orioles' search for an outfielder is ongoing. If said player has some speed, a good on-base percentage and plays solid defense, that would be quite welcome in a lineup that needs the first two and an outfield defense that needs the third. Here are four players that have been linked to the Orioles. These are...
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Steve Melewski

Christmas Day takes

Christmas Day takes
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, Birdland! I hope you have a great day today and a great holiday season with your family and friends. I'm sure baseball will be a part of it, either with gifts you may give or receive, or conversations at the dinner table. Providing a short entry today, so feel free to jump in with any comments and/or questions. Here are a few topics we've discussed here recently along with one or two in the news in the last few days. What is the ceiling for Manny Machado?:...
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Steve Melewski

Memo to batters: Hit it high and let it fly

Memo to batters: Hit it high and let it fly
On MLB Network yesterday, there was an interesting discussion about hitting. It is simplistic, but one analyst suggested that hitting the ball on the ground is generally not a good idea. While ground balls do get through the infield, they are often gobbled up by fielders who not only may have good range, but are now positioned most often, through shifts, where the hitters actually hit the ball most often. Hitting the ball in the air obviously produces more damage and there is one fewer fielder...
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Steve Melewski

Notes on Gunkel's splitter, Mancini's power, Encarnacion's new deal

Notes on Gunkel's splitter, Mancini's power, Encarnacion's new deal
It was a suggestion from his Double-A pitching coach that came after the 2015 season and before opening day in 2016. For right-hander Joe Gunkel, it was advice that he put to good use. A pitcher that was added to the Orioles' 40-man roster in November, Gunkel has always been minus a blazing fastball. He gets outs with a fastball between 88 and 92 mph, so he is always looking to work on and improve his secondary pitches to improve overall as a pitcher. That suggestion led to him making a change...
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