Another look at potentially trading young talent, plus other topics

Today in this space I'm reviewing a few articles that recently were published here. Sometimes you take a look back before you move ahead.

In this article featuring some of my recent interview with MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis, we discussed how trading prospects can be beneficial to a team. It's another way to make good use of a strong farm system, and the Orioles are ranked No. 1 right now by several outlets.

“In 2023 with the Orioles we will see more of the long-term pieces kind of fit into place in the big leagues and then be part of that lineup," Callis said. "From that point on, maybe they don’t have room for all their talent and they trade players from the farm.

“Nobody ever has too much talent. If you don’t have places for everyone to play on your big league team, you consolidate prospects and trade them for a bigger piece."

And Callis pointed out how Houston made deals for the likes of Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Gerrit Cole by trading prospects. The Los Angeles Dodgers traded young talent to get Mookie Betts from Boston. 

More Hays talk: During another random take Tuesday I took at a look at the MLB Draft lottery coming up. The lottery will determine the top six selections. 

The Orioles are listed 17^th at 0.36 percent to get the top pick. So, yes, their odds of that happening are very, very low. The Orioles are 17^th because they had the second-best record, at 83-79 behind Milwaukee (86-76), among non-playoff teams. If they don't beat the odds and get one of the top six picks, they are expected to have the No. 17 pick in round one.

I also, yes yet again, expressed my confidence in left fielder Austin Hays. And yes, I do seem to be on a bit of an island here. But the readers love to discuss Hays.

In 2022, he hit .250/.306/.413/.719 with 35 doubles, two triples, 16 homers, 66 runs and 60 RBIs. His OPS plus was 103 (league average OPS was .701), while in 2021 his OPS plus was 107.

But his offense really fell off in the second half of last year. In the first half, Hays batted .270/.325/.454/.779 and in the second half he hit .220/.276/.349/.626.

I don't see him having another half like that and still love the defense, speed and intensity he brings to the diamond. Others see better options for the club in left field.

Rom could be in the pitching mix too: In this recent blog entry we discussed lefty Drew Rom, his move to the 40-man roster and his winter search for some added velocity.

Rom went 8-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 2022 between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. In 120 innings he allowed 130 hits. He allowed just 0.75 homers per nine innings and posted a 3.53 walk rate and 10.80 strikeout rate.

For his career, he is 25-9 with a 3.41 ERA, 2.85 walk rate and 10.54 strikeout rate.

His big sweeping slider and solid splitter produce decent chase rates, and his fastball, which averaged 91-92 mph, plays fine most nights. He also throws a curve and change but is still looking for a few more ticks on the radar gun.

“Of course, everyone wants to hit 100, but for me, I’m going to be realistic. I want to sit mid-90s,” said Rom. “For me, that would be a prime and optimum velo and would take a step forward with all my stuff. And it would, hopefully, catapult me into that next category."