Manny Machado's day at Camden Yards

Manny Machado of the Frederick Keys is at Camden Yards today to go on the MASN O's Xtra pre-game show as guest tonight. He spent time this afternoon standing around the batting cage talking with Orioles players. "It's great, just to see what the guys are going through right now," Machado said. "Hopefully, you know, within the next two years I can be up here and do what they are doing." The Orioles' top pick in last year's draft, the 19-year-old Machado has been with Frederick since June 23rd after starting the year with Delmarva. In 56 Frederick games, he is batting .254 with 10 doubles, five homers, 25 RBIs and a .719 OPS.

"It's tough (in the Carolina League)," he said. "It's tough pitching. The pitchers are smarter and it's a faster game." But he still felt the organization made the right move in moving him up a level when they did. "That was a great move by the Orioles and for myself," Machado said. "The main goal right now, since Frederick made the playoffs, is to bring home a ring and win a championship." As for his first full season in the minors, Machado felt it has gone well as the minor league season is winding down. "I think overall, I've had a successful year, you know, due to injuries and all," Machado said. "I think I've had a great year and hopefully I can continue and finish off strong. It's kind of what I expected, mostly." He said he was going to report to the Orioles instructional league workouts in Sarasota in mid September, but had no plans to play winter ball. Machado, who was with Keys teammate Steve Bumbry today, said he'll spend the winter working out and training in Miami. He spent some time working out last year with the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez. Even as he spoke, the Yankees were stretching just a few feet away, but Machado was not about to approach A-Rod at that point. "I'm an Oriole," he said. "I can't really go over there, they're our rivals."