Sorting through more Orioles spring training storylines

The countdown to spring training intensifies after the Winter Meetings and the start of a new year. The important dates leading up to it are fading.

Arbitration figures are exchanged on Jan. 9 for eligible players who haven’t signed. The international signing period begins Jan. 15. Those are the big ones.

Perhaps the Orioles will introduce a new player or two before camp opens in Sarasota.

I’ve already provided a sampling of spring storylines - how Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo fit on the roster, how Adley Rutschman will hit, anything Félix Bautista, rehab progress made by Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, Grayson Rodriguez’s health after being left off the Wild Card roster, anything Jackson Holliday, what a full season of Zach Eflin could do, whether Daz Cameron can make the club as an extra outfielder, whether Dean Kremer can take the next step, reaction to the left field wall, the bullpen, whether Cade Povich makes the club, Emmanuel Rivera’s bid to break camp with the team, improvements with Trevor Rogers, and any noticeable changes under the new hitting coaches.

Here are a few more.

Can Keegan Akin duplicate or exceed 2024, with more responsibilities?

Akin quietly had one of the finest seasons on the team.

The left-hander appeared in a career-high 66 games, second on the Orioles behind Yennier Cano’s 70. His previous high was 45 in 2022, and a back injury limited him to 24 last season and shut him down after June 28. But he was more than just a durable reliever.

Akin registered a 3.32 ERA and 0.941 WHIP in 78 2/3 innings that ranked first among pitchers who were exclusively relievers, and opponents batted .193. He allowed only 55 hits – his 6.3 per nine innings were the lowest of his career - and he struck out 97 batters with only 19 walks.

The splits were extremely close, with right-handers batting .194/.244/.374 and left-handers batting .192/.245/.315. Akin was more effective at home with a 2.70 ERA, 0.850 WHIP and .188 opponents’ average in 33 games, compared to a 3.96 ERA, 1.035 WHIP and .199 opponents’ average in 33 road appearances.

He also exhibited a strong finishing kick, posting a 2.38 ERA and 0.882 WHIP in 11 September games.

Akin reduced the amount of hard contact against him, a key component of his turnaround. He’s a former second-round draft pick in 2016 who converted to full-time relief in 2022 with mixed results, but they were heavy on the positive side this summer.

Dependability and the absence of Danny Coulombe could put Akin in higher-leverage situations. Most of his appearances came in losses. The trust factor and potential opportunities set him up for heavier lifting.

Akin has one minor league option, which is important in a bullpen that could lack flexibility, but he isn’t giving the Orioles any reason to use it.

Anything Samuel Basallo.

Basallo was in major league camp last spring and attracted unwanted attention because of an elbow injury that hadn’t been revealed until executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias told the media on the first day. A stress fracture limited him to designated hitter duty until the end of April, when he finally moved behind the plate.

As far as we know, Basallo has remained healthy in the offseason. He’s the No. 2 prospect in the system behind Coby Mayo and 13^th in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline’s rankings. The Orioles moved him from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk, where he played in 21 games. He hit .289 with 22 doubles, 16 home runs and an .820 OPS in 106 games with the Baysox.

Limited exposure to the International League already made it certain before the Gary Sánchez signing that Basallo would return to begin the season, but his major league debut is coming. That's probably why the Orioles sought a one-year deal for a backup.

The plus-arm also separates Basallo from the prospect pack, though his overall receiving is a work in progress. He made 31 starts at first base this year and it will be interesting to see how many reps he gets at the position in camp.

It will be one of many reasons to interview Basallo, after confirming that he isn’t injured again.

Tyler O'Neill's bat, glove and health.

So, pretty much anything O'Neill.

The Orioles have moved on from Anthony Santander and his 44 home runs - he's reportedly seeking at least a five-year deal - and replaced him with O'Neill on a three-year, $49.5 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season. He doesn't have to match Santander's home run output, but the Orioles need power and for him to get on base. They need him to mash left-handed pitching.

A defensive upgrade was made with O'Neill, who mostly will play in the corners but also can back up in center. Grades won't be handed out down in Florida with the wind and high sky.

O'Neill doesn't have a chronic health issue. I believe there are 11 different injuries among the 14 times that he's gone on the IL. But he was sidelined three times this year and is going to attract attention for it.

The Orioles are counting on O'Neill to top 100 games played for the third time in his career. He was limited to 113 in 2024.