He is rated by Baseball America as the number three prospect in the entire O's organization and last year was named the Carolina League pitcher of the year. Despite the accolades and new found fame, 22-year-old lefty Zach Britton did not get an invitation to Major League spring training with the Orioles this year, although there had been talk that he might get one. "I was told earlier I may be going to big league spring training. They kind of put me on the plan to be ready to go. But they...

Do you ever wonder: *Why some fans and posters here keep asking if the Orioles are going to sign more players? Haven't the O's indicated they are pretty much done at this point. It doesn't mean something can't happen but it seems unlikely. But still fans wonder if the O's are talking to Johnny Damon, Hank Blalock, Jarrod Washburn and on and on. *If anyone cares about the payroll disparity in baseball besides the O's, Rays and Jays. Those three teams have to beat out the Yankees and...

This time last year, O's minor league pitcher Zach Britton was just starting to get noticed. Now, after a 2009 season where he was named Carolina League pitcher of the year, it seems everyone knows his name. He was rated recently by Baseball America as the Orioles third-best prospect. The reason for his success could be his outstanding power sinker. Or his fastball that can touch 94. Or his great makeup. Or his willingness to learn and solid relationship with pitching coach Kennie...

Minor league pitchers and catchers are not scheduled to officially report to the O's Twin Lakes Park complex in Sarasota until March 2nd, but several players arrived early to get a jump on the season. That list includes last June's first-round pick, right hander Matt Hobgood, who has been in Sarasota since February first. The 19-year-old that the O's selected with the fifth overall pick last June, has spent most of this winter learning to eat better and reducing his body fat. He worked...

Earlier today in this space we published an article on O's pitcher Matt Hobgood. The 19-year-old right hander was taken with the 5th pick in round one of last June's draft. He went 1-2, 4.73 in eight starts last summer at Bluefield. After the year he was named as the 4th best prospect in the Appalachian League by Baseball America. Hobgood has joined other pitchers that have reported early to the O's minor league camp in Sarasota, Florida. Here are some more comments from an interview...

As he gets ready to begin his 10th season as an Oriole, Brian Roberts says he's excited to see how some of the young O's players progress this year. He's also excited to see the O's new spring training digs in Sarasota. "To me it (the new facility) is re-energizing. We are looking forward to having the major and minor league guys in the same spot so we can get to know some of the minor league players. There are so many benefits to this move for us," Roberts said Wednesday during his...

The O's today released their minor league spring training games schedule. As I mentioned in a post last week, the Triple-A and Double-A clubs will play their home games at the Ed Smith Complex, while the class A clubs will play their home games at the Buck O'Neil Complex at Twin Lakes Park. Date Club Opponent Time Location March 17 AAA/AA Tampa Bay 1:00 Ed Smith Complex A @Tampa Bay 1:00 Port Charlotte March 18 AAA/AA @Tampa Bay 1:00 Port Charlotte A Tampa...

He has won three batting titles, two straight Gold Gloves and is the reigning American League Most Valuable Player. He has done all this before his 27th birthday. Joe Mauer is baseball's best catcher and an amazing force on offense and defense. He is also said to be a great guy, one that will likely never show up in the headlines to discredit his team or town. The question is - will he continue to destroy AL pitching as a member of the Minnesota Twins beyond this season? He can be a free...

Give Yankees general manager Brian Cashman credit. He took time this week to go on the Scott Garceau show on MASN and 105.7 FM, the Fan, appearing on the Orioles flagship radio and TV outlets. Cashman, I'm sure knowing what audience he was speaking to, was very enthusiastic in his comments about the Orioles. Yet his comments sounded quite sincere and he didn't just seem to be saying the politically correct thing about a division opponent. You be the judge. Here is an excerpt of...

There are many clichés in sports and certainly in baseball, too. "You win with pitching and defense." "It's a marathon, not a sprint." "You can never have enough pitching." "A walk's as good as a hit." OK that last one is from little league and not heard too often in the American League. Here's one that is just not true. "As a young player, he will only get better." Oh really. If that were a truism, every young talent on every team would put up better...