Chance Sisco on making the club

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' spring tradition of leading a player in one roster direction before throwing him a curve and breaking good news resumed yesterday with catcher Chance Sisco.

Sisco found out that he made the club as the backup to starter Caleb Joseph, but only after wondering what he did wrong.

It began with third base coach Bobby Dickerson and continued with manager Buck Showalter and bench coach John Russell. And it ended with smiles and a roster spot on opening day.

"Bobby Dickerson came in here and said that Buck wanted to see me in his office," Sisco said today. "When they say that, you really don't know what to expect. When I walked into the office, he kind of made a little joke and said, 'J.R. wants to talk to you about the play that happened yesterday.' So I went in expecting to be talked (to) about that play that happened and he just kind of smirked at me and said, 'Congrats, you made the team.'

"That was a big turn of events in that conversation. After that, I was just smiling. They were saying congrats."

Sisco beat out Andrew Susac and Austin Wynns by hitting .419/.471/.839 (13-for-31) with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 10 RBIs.

"I did what I could control, I guess," he said. "I didn't really know what to expect coming into camp. I knew I had a shot and knew there were other guys competing for the spot as well. I came in ready to go from Day One. That was my goal coming into camp, to make the team. Now I'm just here to help the team win some games."

Showalter hasn't mapped out how many games Sisco will play each week, saying only that the rookie won't be stuck on the bench.

"I don't really have any expectations," Sisco said. "I just expect to be there and help the team win whenever my name is on the lineup card or when I'm coming into a game. We'll see what happens."

Sisco, who turned 23 last month, could get some opportunities as the designated hitter if Showalter is comfortable with the player anointed the third catcher.

"We haven't had any conversations like that," he said. "I'm just happy to be on the team right now."

The left-handed bat got Sisco on it. His ability to make the necessary throws behind the plate should keep him on it.

Sisco has improved the defensive side of his game, but there's work to be done. Having Russell and Joseph close to him should quicken the process.

"I feel like I definitely made strides with pitch calling, working with the pitchers, blocking and receiving. Even throwing got a little better," he said.

"That's what I want to keep working on. Obviously, I want to keep working on everything, but I want to be able to throw guys out consistently. Who doesn't? No one wants guys to steal on them as a catcher. That's a huge thing that I want to be able to do.

"I think I can do it. It's just a matter of reps and being consistent with it."

For the Twins
Byron Buxton CF
Ehire Adianza SS
Robbie Grossman RF
Max Kapler DH
Ryan LaMarre LF
Bobby Wilson C
Gregorio Petit 2B
Taylor Featherston 3B
Lewin Diaz 1B

Gabriel Moya LHP