Steve Melewski

Pitching prospect check: Jason Gurka has been flying under the radar

Pitching prospect check: Jason Gurka has been flying under the radar
He was not a high draft pick and he has made just one start in 89 career pro appearances. Jason Gurka hasn't garnered much attention during his Orioles minor league career, but after back-to-back very solid seasons, he has slowly but surely worked his way up and is someone worth watching in 2013. Gurka was the Orioles' 15th-round pick out of Angelina (Texas) Junior College in 2008. The Houston native turned 25 on Jan. 10. In his O's career, he is 8-8 with an ERA of 3.38 over 160 innings...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski jason gurka rick peterson frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

The time has come for tougher MLB sanctions for PED use

The time has come for tougher MLB sanctions for PED use
Here we go again. Major League Baseball players are making headlines and being linked to using performance-enhancing drugs, or PEDs. Tuesday's story in the Miami New Times comes out and the national baseball press is again fixated on the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez. This all follows by weeks the latest Hall of Fame vote announcement where no one was elected and where Roger Clemens got just 37.6 percent of the vote, Barry Bonds got 36.2 percent and Sammy Sosa got 12.5 percent. Seventy-five...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Dylan Bundy is ranked as baseball's No. 2 prospect by MLB.com

Dylan Bundy is ranked as baseball's No. 2 prospect by MLB.com
Dylan Bundy has been ranked as baseball's No. 2 prospect and Kevin Gausman was rated No. 37 by MLB.com. The top 100 was unveiled last night during a live telecast on MLB Network and Texas infielder Jurickson Profar was rated as baseball's top prospect. Bundy went 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 23 starts this past season at three minor league levels and then pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in two major league relief appearances in September with the Orioles. Jon Hart, an MLB Network analyst and a...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski dylan bundy featured_sidebar john hart jonathan mayo kevin gausman frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

The face of the franchise

The face of the franchise
On its "Hot Stove" morning show, MLB Network has been pondering which players or members of each major league team can be considered the club's face of the franchise. Yes, they asked the question about the Orioles and I don't even remember how the results broke down, but I'm more interested in what the readers here think. Who do you consider the face of the Orioles franchise? Here are four strong candidates, listed in alphabetical order. Jim Johnson: Don't sell this guy short. He is...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski adam jones buck showalter featured_sidebar matt wieters frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Where will Nick Markakis wind up in the batting order?

Where will Nick Markakis wind up in the batting order?
He missed 58 games last season, but in the 104 in which he did play, Nick Markakis had a pretty good season with the bat. He hit .298 with 28 doubles, 13 homers and 54 RBIs in 420 at-bats, the fewest of his career. Markakis was on a pace for 83 RBIs, which would have been his most since driving in 101 in 2009. He posted an OPS last season of .834, his highest since a figure of .897 in 2008. But should Markakis remain in the leadoff spot in the batting order? He certainly thrived in that role...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski featured_sidebar nick markakis frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Duquette talks about changes at top of O's player development operation

Duquette talks about changes at top of O's player development operation
The Orioles today announced a restructuring of their player development staff. Kent Qualls was officially named director of minor league operations, where he will oversee the business operations of the player development department. Brian Graham has been promoted from coordinator of minor league instruction to director of player development. As director of player personnel, John Stockstill will now also oversee international and domestic professional scouting. A few moments ago I spoke with...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski brian graham dan duquette kent qualls frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Adding Jair Jurrjens is a good low-risk move by the Orioles (O's ranked 17th)

Adding Jair Jurrjens is a good low-risk move by the Orioles (O's ranked 17th)
There hasn't yet been an announcement from the club, but CBSSports.com reported late last night that the Orioles have come to terms with right-handed pitcher Jair Jurrjens on a one-year major league contract that will pay him $1.5 million in guaranteed money and could earn him another $2.5 million in incentives. Signing a pitcher that is still young (he turns 27 next Tuesday), went 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA for Atlanta in 2011 to make the All-Star team, and will be under team control for two more...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski jair jurrjens frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Once again, taking the pulse of Orioles fans

Once again, taking the pulse of Orioles fans
So, Orioles fans, how are you feeling about the Orioles' inactivity this offseason now? Of course, the club has made some moves, but not many were of the significant variety in adding starting players and no big free agent contracts were handed out. It has been the prevailing topic of discussion for weeks now. While we need to keep in mind that there could be more moves made at any time, and that includes after next season starts, my sense is that more fans feel better about this team today...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski buck showalter frontstory_orioles1 jim johnson
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

WBC could provide a good experience for Jonathan Schoop

WBC could provide a good experience for Jonathan Schoop
It seems that many American baseball fans are not real excited about the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Fans are not happy that the competition will take some players away from major league teams in spring training. But the competition could be a real plus for Orioles top minor league prospect Jonathan Schoop. The club's No. 3 prospect, according to Baseball America, is expected to play for the Netherlands when the games begin March 2. "It's good to play for your country," Schoop said....
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski jonathan schoop frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

How will Chris Davis hold up on defense at first base?

How will Chris Davis hold up on defense at first base?
While the Orioles insist that Chris Davis has been a solid defender at first base in the past and will be again, some O's fans have expressed concerns about a defensive dropoff at the spot if Davis turns out to be the full-time replacement for Mark Reynolds. Reynolds was certainly not smooth around the bag as last season wore on, but he made a lot of key plays there as the club's defense played a huge role in the winning last season. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has said he feels very...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski bobby dickerson chris davis mike bordick frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Roberts understands fans' doubts

Roberts understands fans' doubts
After dealing with concussion symptoms, undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn labrum in his hip and Dec. 20 sports hernia surgery, Brian Roberts is not surprised at all that some fans doubt he can return to play regularly for the Orioles. And he's completely OK with and understanding of that. "I don't hold anything against anyone that doesn't think I can do it anymore. That's fine," Roberts said Saturday at FanFest. "I had people 12 years ago that thought that, so it's not...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski brian roberts featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

O's pitching coach Rick Adair on the rotation, mini-camp and more

O's pitching coach Rick Adair on the rotation, mini-camp and more
As spring training approaches, the Orioles' five-man starting rotation is not set. But pitchers like Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez seem close to locks to be in the opening day starting five, and Chris Tillman may be on that list, as well. At FanFest, O's pitching coach Rick Adair addressed his rotation's current state. "There are probably three or four guys we feel good about in the rotation and there are other guys that can be in the rotation," Adair said. "We hope...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski dylan bundy mark hendrickson miguel gonzalez rick adair frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

As Orioles fans, we got to see No. 4 make the Orioles No. 1

As Orioles fans, we got to see No. 4 make the Orioles No. 1
Thinking back, I'm so glad that the Orioles returned to the playoffs last year because that meant Earl Weaver got to see his Orioles win again. We didn't know it then, but we know now that was his last season watching his beloved Birds. One reason we know Buck Showalter is great as a skipper is that we have Earl to compare him to. I'm so glad I was there in September 1982, when the Orioles lost to the Brewers but Earl got a sendoff that was incredible. I'm glad I was there in Cooperstown...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
orioles steve melewski earl weaver frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Nick Markakis praises O's fan base for record turnout at FanFest

Nick Markakis praises O's fan base for record turnout at FanFest
After spending so many years with this organization and not playing on a winner, last year was special for Nick Markakis, even if he ended up last season on the disabled list as the playoffs began. "It was awesome. That is what I've been waiting a long time for and why I wanted to stay here," Markakis said. "I knew what this place could be like when things are going good. I'd heard about it and saw some video and pictures. I think it could be the best baseball city in all of baseball. Our...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
nick markakis orioles steve melewski frontstory_orioles3
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Jim Johnson not concerned about coming to terms with Orioles

Jim Johnson not concerned about coming to terms with Orioles
Even though there is a bit of gap between what the Orioles submitted and what Jim Johnson's agent is seeking through arbitration, the Orioles closer said today he's not concerned at all about his 2013 contract. He figures the business side of it will get taken care of and soon. Johnson is seeking $7.1 million through arbitration and the Orioles' offer was for $5.7 million. "You know how this stuff always plays out," Johnson said. "They do their thing. My agents do theirs. I get a phone...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
frontstory_orioles3 jim johnson orioles steve melewski
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Matusz would prefer to start, but role still up in the air

Matusz would prefer to start, but role still up in the air
The Orioles have indicated they are not yet certain whether Brian Matusz will pitch as a starter or a reliever this year. But if Matusz has any say in it, he made clear today what he favors. "I'm going in this spring with an opportunity to be a starter," he said. "I've been a starter my whole life until last year. I want to go out and fight and try to earn a spot in the rotation." He knows how much success he had as a lefty reliever late last year but he wants to carry that back into a...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
brian matusz frontstory_orioles1 orioles rick adair steve melewski
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Dickerson brings plenty of experience to O's third base box

Dickerson brings plenty of experience to O's third base box
The Orioles' new third base coach has not been in that box for a while, but Bobby Dickerson, who was hired to replace DeMarlo Hale, has been in that box a lot over the years. "I've got over 1,200 games coaching third at the minor league level," Dickerson said today at FanFest. "I've coached third at the Triple-A and Double-A levels. I've been over there. The only big difference is I was there as a manger. The biggest adjustment I've going to have, I believe, is going to be relaying the...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
bobby dickerson frontstory_orioles1 orioles steve melewski
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Palmer becomes emotional remembering Weaver

Palmer becomes emotional remembering Weaver
We've seen Jim Palmer become emotional before - for instance, this year during his legends ceremony, when he talked about Mike Flanagan. Today, the Hall of Famer kept it together pretty well when talking about Earl Weaver until very late in an interview with reporters covering FanFest. "Mike Flanagan came up to me and said, one year after (I) had pitched during a spring training game, Earl called him over said, 'See that guy out there? Just do what he does and you'll be fine,' " Palmer...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
earl weaver frontstory_orioles3 jim palmer orioles steve melewski
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

Duquette: Saunders will likely choose his 2013 team this week

Duquette: Saunders will likely choose his 2013 team this week
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he feels free agent pitcher Joe Saunders, who started two playoff games for the Orioles last October, will be making a decision soon on which team he will pitch for this year. "Joe is not here, but he did a great job for us last year," Duquette said. "He's probably going to make a decision this week." Is Duquette confident that Saunders will re-sign with the club? "I don't have a real sense of it," Duquette said. "We'd like to have...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
dan duquette frontstory_orioles1 joe saunders matt wieters orioles steve melewski
LinkedIn Pinterest
Steve Melewski

McLouth: "This is where I wanted to be"

McLouth: "This is where I wanted to be"
Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth is looking forward to his second season with the team. He told reporters at FanFest today that he felt this was his best fit when he was a free agent and he had that in mind as much as the dollars when sizing up where to play in 2013. "Things were started to materialize with other teams. It just came down to this is where I wanted to be," he said. "I wanted to jump on the opportunity before they started looking at somebody else. Luckily it happened the way it...
Continue reading
    
0
Tags:
frontstory_orioles1 nate mclouth orioles steve melewski
LinkedIn Pinterest



LATEST ORIOLES NEWS

LATEST NATIONALS NEWS

       
484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493