Norby on his improved defense and Pache on joining the Orioles

When it comes to O’s infielder Connor Norby, ranked as the club’s No. 5 prospect by MLBPipeline.com and No. 7 via Baseball America, there are differing opinions on his defense.

Baseball America provides Norby a slightly below average 45 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale for his fielding and a 40 for arm. MLBPipeline goes 50 and 50 for both - essentially big league average.

In the early innings Saturday, Norby looked like a plus defender.

He made a fantastic play in the first inning Saturday. He ranged up the middle sliding onto the outfield to field a Manny Machado grounder and then he got a lot on the throw from the seat of his pants for the out. Two innings later he made another nice play and cut down a runner at home with an off balance throw with the infield in.

There was nothing below average about those plays. Both were big and provided a chance for Norby to show he has improved a lot with his second-base defense.

“It’s nice for sure. Coming up through the system we have had a lot of big names. You feel at times you can get overshadowed a little bit or something in your game gets downplayed or you get labeled. And everybody has had that through their career at some point,” he said.

“Just to show a little bit that I’ve worked really hard out there on defense, it’s important to me. And it helps our pitchers out. To make the play up the middle and the play at the plate – making the plays I need to make and helping keep pitcher pitch counts down - that’s important. We need that right now.”

Has Norby been unfairly graded or labeled for his defense?

“I don’t know. I know I am a hit-first guy but I have worked really hard on defense," he said "I feel like I’ve taken a step forward this year on the defensive side. I’ve been focused and been intentional this year and throughout spring training. Been very intentional with my work and out there every day and it’s paying off. Hope to keep putting my best foot forward.”

Norby said he has dramatically improved with the glove over the last year or two.

“For sure, yeah,” he said. “My footwork is better, my decision-making is better. My first step is better. My arm and accuracy, everything is better. I know what I need to do on certain balls. When I need to come get it, when I need to take a step back. Everything is where I want it to be right now and I will continue to work on it every single day.

“We’ve had one Gold Glover on the team (Ramon Urias at 3B in 2022), why not two? That is the goal – be the best player you can be.”

Maybe some people are selling him short when it comes to his glove and arm.

“A little bit sure. I know I can play here. We all want to get four hits a night. But you can still do the job on defense and impact something there. I first learned in college – you don’t always have to impact the game at the plate. You can do it other ways. For me on defense, I can surprise people and even steal a couple of bases. Things like that,” said Norby.

While he fanned three times in Sunday's contest and is now batting .179 in eight big league games, he showed this weekend that he might be better on defense than scouting reports have previously indicated. 

Pache on joining the club: He first played in the majors in 2020 at age 21 with Atlanta. Now outfielder Cristian Pache is with his fourth team after Friday’s trade from Philadelphia to the Orioles. He came to Baltimore with reliever Seranthony Domínguez for outfielder Austin Hays.

“I’m really thankful they are giving me an opportunity here,” Pache said through team interpreter Brandon Quinones Sunday morning pregame. “I remember that day, I woke up really early in the morning and they gave me a phone call and told me the trade was going down. So I got ready as soon as possible. Just thankful and excited for this new opportunity.”

In 50 games with the Phillies, Pache hit .202/.288/.269/.557 with an 11.0 walk percentage and 36.4 K rate. He is out of options.

Moving teams cannot be easy just past mid season.

“It’s difficult. You have to stay strong mentally and tell yourself it’s part of the business. Keep that in mind and continue working hard,” he said.

Pache has what some call elite skills on defense. His 3 Defensive Runs Saved would lead the Orioles with Colton Cowser next with 2 DRS. Anthony Santander grades at -1, Cedric Mullins -2 and Hays was a -4 before joining the Phillies.

Pache has 12 DRS saved for his career over 1,334 innings.

“I think it comes down to repetition and hard work,” he said of playing well on defense. “Paring those two things together have helped me be a good defender."

After Sunday's win over San Diego, the Orioles (62-43) now host Toronto today for a straight doubleheader beginning at 3:05 p.m. In the first game, righty Zach Eflin (5-7, 4.09 ERA) is set to make his O's debut. In the nightcap, lefty Cade Povich (1-4, 6.27 ERA) is slated to pitch.