Josh Michael: Three Orioles prospects whose stock fell this season

Josh Michael: Three Orioles prospects whose stock fell this season
Last week, I highlighted three Orioles prospects that saw their stock rise the most in 2018. This week, I will flip the script and highlight three prospects that saw their stock drop the most. As I did last week, I want to remind you that this is not a list of three prospects that had the worst seasons or the three worst prospects in the system. It's three guys who performed well below expectations and saw their stock drop. I will begin with a guy that was on the Orioles' top-five prospects...
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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays travel south for final series against Orioles this season

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays travel south for final series against Orioles this season
Manager: John Gibbons (11th season) Record: 67-82 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: 1B Justin Smoak (24 HR, 75 RBIs), OF Randall Grichuk (23 HR, 54 RBIs), DH Kendrys Morales (21 HR, 57 RBIs), RHP Ken Giles (22 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 12-4 Pitching probables: Sept. 17: LHP Ryan Borucki (3-4) vs. TBA; 7:05 p.m., MASN2Sept. 18: RHP Aaron Sanchez (4-6) vs. RHP Dylan Bundy (8-14); 7:05 p.m., MASN2Sept. 19: RHP Sam Gaviglio (3-8) vs. TBA (0-1); 7:05 p.m., MASN Inside the Blue Jays: Toronto...
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Zach Wilt: Wondering about Buck Showalter's future

Zach Wilt: Wondering about Buck Showalter's future
One of the biggest pieces of the Orioles rebuild didn't come to Baltimore in a trade or free agent signing, but actually in a hiring from ESPN. Buck Showalter hung up his suits and put on a uniform again back on July 29, 2010. Showalter chose No. 26, to honor the late great Johnny Oates, and took over as the O's skipper on Aug. 3. He inherited a club with a 32-73 record, worst in the big leagues. The Birds responded to the hiring by defeating the Angels at Camden Yards 6-3, then winning the...
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Opposite dugout: Youthful White Sox have sights set on the future

Opposite dugout: Youthful White Sox have sights set on the future
Manager: Rick Renteria (2nd season) Record: 57-89 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: 1B José Abreu (.270 with 22 HR, 78 RBIs); SS Tim Anderson (130 hits, 26 SB); 3B Yolmer Sánchez (133 hits, 30 2B); DH Matt Davidson (20 HR, 58 RBIs); RHP Lucas Giolito (10-10, 5.76 ERA); RHP Reynaldo López (5-9, 4.22 ERA); RHP Jeanmar Gómez (4.82 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 2-2 Pitching probables: Sept. 14: RHP James Shields (6-16) vs. RHP Luis Ortiz (0-0); 7:05 p.m., MASNSept. 15: RHP Reynaldo...
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Josh Michael: Three O's prospects whose stock rose the most in 2018

Josh Michael: Three O's prospects whose stock rose the most in 2018
The 2018 season for the Orioles is mercifully getting close to being over, and with the rebuild in process, there is not much hope in Birdland for a drastically improved 2019. With that being said, the rebuild puts added focus on the prospects, and today I am going to highlight three O's prospects that saw their stock rise the most in 2018. Before I present the players, I want to make something clear: This isn't a list of three prospects who had the best seasons, or the three best prospects...
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Opposite dugout: Power-packed A's in hunt for AL West crown, wild card

Opposite dugout: Power-packed A's in hunt for AL West crown, wild card
Manager: Bob Melvin (8th season) Record: 87-57 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 3B Matt Chapman (.280 with 22 HR, 53 RBIs), 2B Jed Lowrie (.274 with 21 HR, 89 RBIs), RF Stephen Piscotty (23 HR, 74 RBIs), DH Khris Davis (41 HR, 108 RBIs), 1B Matt Olson (25 HR), RHP Mike Fiers (11-6, 3.36 ERA), RHP Blake Treinen (37 saves, 0.93 ERA). Season series vs. Orioles: 3-0 Pitching probables: Sept. 11: RHP Mike Fiers (11-6) vs. RHP Alex Cobb (5-15), 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 12: TBA vs. RHP Andrew Cashner...
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Andrew Stetka: Orioles need to make room in lineup for Adam Jones

Andrew Stetka: Orioles need to make room in lineup for Adam Jones
Adam Jones hasn't seen the field for the Orioles since Wednesday in Seattle. Following an off-day Thursday and three straight games on the bench over the weekend against the Rays, the longtime outfielder is expected to return to action tomorrow when the Birds open a three-game series against the Athletics. It was pretty obvious to many when Jones nixed any trade back in July that he wanted to be around to see his contract through in Baltimore. What was unclear, however, was how much playing...
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Zach Wilt: Breaking down Dylan Bundy's longball issues

Zach Wilt: Breaking down Dylan Bundy's longball issues
No pitcher in baseball has surrendered more home runs this season than Dylan Bundy. In 146 innings, Bundy has allowed 35 longballs, seven more than the next closest starting pitcher. That's 2.16 homers per nine innings, making Bundy the only starter in baseball with more than two. It's probably hard to remember way back to April, but I'll try my best to refresh your memory. At the end of baseball's first month, Bundy was sporting a 2.97 ERA and seemed to be on track to being the Orioles'...
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Opposite dugout: Winning season for Rays lost in top-heavy AL East

Opposite dugout: Winning season for Rays lost in top-heavy AL East
Manager: Kevin Cash (4th season) Record: 75-64 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 2B Joey Wendle (.297/.346/.425), 3B Matt Duffy (.296/.354/.371), RF Mallex Smith (.302/.373/.424, SB), DH/1B C.J. Cron (26 HR, 61RBIs), LHP Blake Snell (2.02 ERA), RHP Sergio Romo (19 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 8-8 Pitching probables: Sept. 7: RHP Dylan Bundy (7-13) vs. LHP Blake Snell (17-5), 7:10 p.m., MASN2Sept. 8: RHP David Hess (3-9) vs. TBD, 6:10 p.m., MASN2Sept. 9: RHP Alex Cobb (5-15) vs. TBD, 1:10...
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Josh Michael: Zac Lowther deserves consideration for Jim Palmer Award

Josh Michael: Zac Lowther deserves consideration for Jim Palmer Award
Last season, there was little to no doubt who was going to earn both the Orioles' minor league Pitcher of the Year (Alex Wells) and Player of the Year (Austin Hays) awards. This year, the races are much tighter, and despite many people giving left-hander Keegan Akin the award, I am here to tell you not to do that just yet. First, let me state that I am in no way saying that Akin isn't deserving of the Jim Palmer Award. Akin had a phenomenal season where he went 14-7 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.25 WHIP...
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Andrew Stetka: Realignment could factor into how quickly O's can compete

Andrew Stetka: Realignment could factor into how quickly O's can compete
Following a weekend sweep at the hands of the second-worst team in baseball, the Orioles remain the worst team in the game at 40-97. They are barreling toward one of the worst campaigns in team history and are starting a rebuilding process that is expected to be measured in trips around the sun rather than mere months. I'm going to bet many Orioles fans chose not to watch much of this weekend's series against the Royals in Kansas City. College football got underway, the U.S. Open tennis...
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Zach Wilt: What Adam Jones has meant to the Orioles

Zach Wilt: What Adam Jones has meant to the Orioles
Every season in Birdland concludes with Fan Appreciation Weekend. The Orioles organization thanks the fans for their support with video tributes, experiences and giveaways. This season is no different. From Sept. 27-30, the O's host the defending World Series champion Astros for a four-game series that includes an alumni autograph series, as well as giveaways for a coaster set, puffy vest and duffle bag. While I am sure people will be lined up along the gates at Eutaw Street for their duffle...
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Josh Michael: Checking in on the Gulf Coast League Orioles

Josh Michael: Checking in on the Gulf Coast League Orioles
There may be a little over a month left in the 2018 season for the big leaguers, but minor league affiliates are nearing the end of the campaign, and for some, the season has already concluded. The Orioles' Rookie-level affiliate, the Gulf Coast League Orioles, wrapped up their season Saturday and despite their record, there were some standouts worth mentioning. The GCL Orioles did not do so well this season record-wise, as they finished the year 13-42, the worst record in the GCL. They...
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Opposite dugout: Royals look like O's chief rival for top draft pick

Opposite dugout: Royals look like O's chief rival for top draft pick
Manager: Ned Yost (9th season) Record: 42-91 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Whit Merrifield (.307, 28 SB) C Salvador Pérez (23 HR, 65 RBIs), DH Ryan O'Hearn (.554 slugging), RHP Brad Keller (6-5, 3.33 ERA), RHP Wily Peralta (8 saves), Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: Aug. 31: RHP Andrew Cashner (4-12) vs. RHP Brad Keller (6-5)Sept. 1: RHP Dylan Bundy (7-13) vs. RHP Heath Fillmyer (2-1)Sept. 2: RHP David Hess (3-8) vs. RHP Jorge López (0-4) Inside the Royals: The...
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Andrew Stetka: More O's youth could be on display in September

Andrew Stetka: More O's youth could be on display in September
Later this week, baseball's rules will change as the season draws to a close. With a month to go before the playoffs, Major League Baseball will allow teams to expand their rosters from 25 players to 40 players. Is there another sport where the rules are not only different depending on which league you play in, but also where they change the rules with a month left in the season? It will completely alter the dynamics of postseason races, as it does every season. For the Orioles, it could...
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Opposite dugout: Blue Jays have dominated Orioles in 2018

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays have dominated Orioles in 2018
Manager: John Gibbons (11th season) Record: 60-70 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: DH Kendrys Morales (21 HR, 53 RBIs), 1B Justin Smoak (19 HR, 61 RBIs), RF Randall Grichuk (18 HR, 45 RBIs), RHP Ken Giles (6 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 12-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 27: RHP Sam Gaviglio (3-6) vs. RHP David Hess (2-8), 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 28: LHP Thomas Pannone (1-0) vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m., MASN Aug. 29: RHP Ryan Borucki (3-3) vs. RHP Alex Cobb (4-15), 7:05 p.m., MASN Inside the Blue...
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Zach Wilt: Sample size is small, but Cedric Mullins has impressed so far

Zach Wilt: Sample size is small, but Cedric Mullins has impressed so far
The 2018 campaign is a lost season for the Orioles that resulted in the front office disassembling the team at the trade deadline and planning for their long-term future. Fan favorites like Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Zach Britton were shipped off the Dodgers, Brewers and Yankees for prospects. Left in Baltimore was the team's leader and current longest-tenured Oriole, Adam Jones, who is in the final year of his contract. The veteran center fielder watched as his team was stripped for...
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August 27 last chance to become Maryland Lottery "Contestant of the Game"

August 27 last chance to become Maryland Lottery "Contestant of the Game"
Attention Orioles fans: Your last chance to become the MD Lottery Contestant of the Game is coming up on August 27th! On August 27th, the Orioles begin their series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards, where the Orioles have hit 84 home runs so far this season. The Orioles have also hit 11 homers against the Blue Jays. August 27th is also the last chance to enter to become a 2018 Maryland Lottery "Contestant of the Game"! Stop by a Maryland Lottery retailer and purchase Home Run...
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Opposite dugout: Is a division crown out of reach for the Yankees?

Opposite dugout: Is a division crown out of reach for the Yankees?
Manager: Aaron Boone (1st season) Record: 79-47 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: DH Giancarlo Stanton (.286 with 32 HR, 81 RBIs); 3B Miguel Andújar (.295, 130 hits); 2B Gleyber Torres (.264, 18 HR); LF Brett Gardner (104 hits, 13 SB); LHP J.A. Happ (14-6, 3.84 ERA); RHP Luis Severino (16-6, 3.28 ERA); RHP David Robertson (3.11 ERA, 3 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 6-6 Pitching probables: Aug. 24: LHP CC Sabathia (7-4) vs. RHP Alex Cobb (4-15); 7:05 p.m., MASNAug. 25: LHP J.A. Happ (14-6)...
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Andrew Stetka: Rebuilding Orioles need to overhaul offensive identity

Andrew Stetka: Rebuilding Orioles need to overhaul offensive identity
The Orioles have an offensive identity that they've worn like a heavy backpack for a few years now. Because it's a heavy one, it slows them down. It makes them less versatile and only allows them to do so much. They've been an offense that relied on free swingers and the three-run homer, or the "Earl Weaver special," if you will. In recent memory, it has served them fairly well. From 2012-2017, the Orioles ranked second, first, first, third, first and fifth in home runs in the major...
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