Orioles critiquing their young catchers

While the Orioles are transparent about their primary goals for the 2019 season, outlining the importance of development and talent infusion and devoting a substantial amount of energy toward auditioning players for various roles, they're in a unique position regarding their catching situation.

It's common for a rookie or player with limited major league experience and no real track record to be paired with an accomplished veteran, the setup on opening day when the Orioles kept Pedro Severino and Jesús Sucre. But they're in the process of a double evaluation with Severino and Chance Sisco.

The trick is getting a full look when only one of them can be behind the plate, and using the other as the designated hitter comes with a certain amount of risk.

Manager Brandon Hyde has settled into a platoon of sorts with the left-handed hitting Sisco, 24, facing right-handed starters and the right-handed hitting Severino, 25, paired with lefties, which has been a huge advantage for him.

Severino is batting .324/.372/.620 against southpaws. Sisco is 0-for-2 but he drew a walk yesterday against Indians reliever Brad Hand to load the bases in the ninth inning.

Hyde indicated over the weekend that Sisco would get some at-bats versus lefties, but it's obvious that he's going to pick his spots carefully because he doesn't want to bury Severino or interrupt the former Nationals prospect's trial.

"In the American League, like I've done, I've DHed the other one on occasion just to continue to pile up their at-bats," Hyde said. "We want to see them hit, we want to see them play, so they're both going to play quite a bit."

Sisco has played in 88 major league games over parts of three seasons, twice optioned last summer after breaking camp with the team and failing to make the opening day roster this spring. Severino ran out of options and chances with the Nationals due to his futility at the plate, bringing a career .187/.273/.287 slash line to Baltimore in 105 games over parts of four seasons.

Two top catching prospects, one trying to flourish in a new environment and the other hoping fresh eyes in his own organization will improve his stock.

"It's two guys who are really early in their major league career and learning up here," Hyde said. "A lot of fun. They're both really talented guys. They both bring different skill sets. And it's a lot of fun working with these guys on a daily basis.

"They're going to have growing pains, they're going to have moments, but they're also going to have great moments like (Friday) night. They're both great kids and learning on the job and both doing a nice job."

Sisco went 13-for-34 (.382) with a double, four home runs and 11 RBIs in 15 exhibition games but was sent back to Triple-A Norfolk in order to further his development. He homered in back-to-back games over the weekend, putting a ball on Eutaw Street.

"The pull power's there. There's no doubt about it," Hyde said. "That ball he hit (Friday) night was smoked, so that was great to see."

Sucre accepted an outright assignment to Norfolk and remains in the organization, posting a .314 average with the Tides. Austin Wynns also is on the roster after being optioned and must wait for another chance to be evaluated by the Orioles that he can't be certain is going to come without an injury or massive slump. All he can do is produce, as he did yesterday with four hits, including a home run, and be patient.

Adley Rutschman won't enter the picture for a while. The Orioles can tackle that issue, with glee, much later.

Sisco had Caleb Joseph to mentor him last season, though the veteran mostly brought backup experience. The Orioles signed Welington Castillo prior to the 2017 season. Matt Wieters spent eight seasons with the Orioles. During his rookie season in 2009, the Orioles also used Chad Moeller and Gregg Zaun behind the plate.

Ramón Hernández was on the club from 2006-08, overlapping with Javy López for a while in his first season.

Dave Skaggs could lean on Rick Dempsey.

Manager Earl Weaver used to choose between Andy Etchebarren and Elrod Hendricks.

You get my point.

The Orioles are taking a different approach in 2019.