A few thoughts on yesterday

SARASOTA, Fla. - We'll find out this morning whether Pedro Álvarez is getting another start in right field or serving as the designated hitter for the Orioles game against the Yankees in Tampa.

It was impossible to truly judge Álvarez in yesterday's B game besides receiving confirmation that he possesses freakish strength and can make a really, really loud sound when bat meets ball.

Álvarez didn't take a perfect route to the line drive in right-center field, but he wasn't likely to make the catch anyway. He dived for the ball and played it on a short hop rather than let it roll past him.

These are the moments that remind us how Álvarez is learning everything about a new position. He's not used to diving in the outfield. He's never had to back up first base on a bunt attempt. Two items he can cross off the list.

I've seen guys look completely lost in the outfield. Former first-round pick Billy Rowell comes to mind after moving from third base to right field in a failed experiment of epic proportions. I actually felt sorry for the kid as he broke toward the warning track at Fort Lauderdale Stadium and the ball landed a few feet behind first base in foul territory.

Álvarez seemed to have a clue. I'm not predicting a Gold Glove Award, but this isn't Javy Lopez at first base.

The B game also showed why the Orioles like Austin Wynns behind the plate. He threw a BB to second base to cut down a runner trying to steal. The word on the street is he might be better defensively than Jonah Heim, the former Orioles minor league catcher traded to the Rays for Steve Pearce.

Heim was considered the best defensive catcher in the system, so this is only a reflection on Wynns.

Cedric Mullins hit a long home run to center field, the ball slamming off the batter's eye and causing one Orioles coach to turn and yell, "Whoa!" Mullins is listed at 5-foot-8 - and who knows how accurate it is - but he's got power and the kind of tools that have the Orioles envisioning him as a future leadoff hitter in the majors.

Mullins, 22, played in 124 games at low Single-A Delmarva last summer and batted .273/.321/.464 with 37 doubles, 10 triples, 14 home runs 55 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Logic says he'll begin the 2017 season at high Single-A Frederick, but I'm sure there will be some people in the organization suggesting that Double-A Bowie is a reasonable landing spot.

First baseman Aderlin Rodriguez also came over from minor league camp, but he's not going to get into a Grapefruit League game unless his defense improves. He hit .304/.359/.532 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs last season in 130 games with Frederick. However, he bounced a throw to first base yesterday after fielding a bunt and couldn't come up with a low throw from across the diamond.

The bat is intriguing, though he needs to be playing at a higher level at age 25. But he's a definite work in progress with the glove.

Adrian Marin had a rough day at shortstop, sailing a couple of throws. He didn't make life any easier for Rodriguez. But he's also come over from minor league camp for Grapefruit League games and the Orioles won't judge him strictly off a B game.

Over in Bradenton, Trey Mancini hit his second spring home run and the Orioles defeated the Pirates 8-6 at LECOM Park.

Craig Gentry went 2-for-2 and raised his average to .323. I don't see how he fails to head north with the team as long as he's healthy. He's hitting and he offers plus defense in the outfield. And the right-handed bat is exactly what the Orioles need for the corners.

Logan Verrett allowed three runs and six hits in 1 2/3 innings in relief. Zach Britton walked a batter and struck out one in a scoreless inning after allowing two runs and four hits in his debut.

Ignore the numbers attached to Britton's first outing. Hitters were beating the ball into the ground. His stuff is typical nasty.