Another sampling of Orioles spring training storylines

Orioles pitchers and catchers are supposed to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Feb. 15. The date remains alive during the lockout, but is threatened by the lack of a new collective bargaining agreement.

The ticking of the clock is getting louder.

Edgar Allan Poe might write a short story about it if he were alive today.

The sides reportedly will meet in person Monday, with the union offering its counterproposal. The first bargaining session since a video conference Jan. 13

I've already written a dozen anticipated spring training storylines that should keep me busy, whether or not I'm able to provide in-person coverage down in Sarasota.

There's the rotation behind John Means and Jordan Lyles, whether Adley Rutschman will get a fair shot at breaking camp with the team, whether Rougned Odor will avoid becoming Yolmer Sánchez, who's on the left side of the infield, how Yusniel Diaz will look in camp, whether Paul Fry rediscovers his command and confidence, whether there's a noticeable difference in Trey Mancini after a normal offseason, what role is bestowed upon Jorge López, whether Tyler Wells is on the team and the closer, who catches if it isn't Rutschman, whether Félix Bautista make the club and if DJ Stewart solidifies his spot on the roster.

Here are two more:

Will Heston Kjerstad look like a second overall draft pick?
Kjerstad is waiting to start his professional career and the media is waiting to lay eyes on him. He's been more of a rumor at this point.

The outfielder has made a full recovery after a diagnosis of myocarditis following the 2020 draft, with the Orioles clearing him to work out at the fall instructional camp and inviting him to their hitting minicamps this month in Sarasota. He's been so impressive against live pitching that an invite to major league spring training is under discussion.

The length of time spent at the Ed Smith Stadium complex isn't important. It's the arrival.

Kjerstad turns 23 on Feb. 12. He was a .343 hitter with a 1.011 OPS in three seasons at the University of Arkansas, the last in 2020 reduced to 16 games by the pandemic. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias referred to him as "the best left-handed hitter in the country" on draft night.

Right field is waiting for him. Or it was. Kyle Stowers is bolting up the prospect charts. But Kjerstad brings the same level of enthusiasm within the organization as on the night that the Orioles called his name. They've just been waiting, and patiently, to get him on the field and into games.

Every step that Kjerstad takes in Florida will be carefully tracked. Is he still feeling strong? How's the swing? Where should he be assigned? How quickly can he advance?

In other words, very similar to what Rutschman experienced in his first camp, except without the health questions.

Rutschman walked inside a clubhouse in the spring of 2020 that allowed media inside of it. Where he sat, how he interacted with veteran teammates and what they said about him provided juicy copy. Swings in a cage and repetitions in a fielding drill brought pens to paper and iPhone video to Twitter.

Kjerstad may have more privacy, but you can't hide a prospect like him. Especially with his comeback from a scary heart condition that blurred his visibility.

Is Jahmai Jones instilling confidence in his work at second base?
The Orioles put Jones on the slow track to a major league return last summer, keeping him down at Triple-A Norfolk while the team's offensive production at second base couldn't even be viewed through a microscope.

No team did less at the position in 2021. The Orioles ranked last with a .192 average and .527 OPS, and with 40 RBIs. The 10 home runs tied for 25th. The 194 strikeouts tied with the Rays for most in the majors.

Jones stayed with the Tides to work on his defense, his development interrupted by moves to center field. The Orioles, in the midst of an 18-game losing streak, recalled him on Aug. 23 while also designating Maikel Franco for assignment.

The bat had cooled, leaving Jones with a .238/.329/.417 line in 69 games.

Jones went 10-for-67 (.149) with four walks and 26 strikeouts in 26 games, was optioned and needed an injury to infielder Ramón Urías to get another opportunity.

Odor signed a one-year deal prior to the lockout and enters camp as the favorite to start at second base, but Jones will try to push him. The Orioles might prefer having Jones play every day in the minors rather than serving in a bench role, especially if the idea is to keep developing him at the position. Can't do it from a distance.

Baseball America ranked Jones as the No. 8 prospect in the Angels system prior to the February 2021 trade that sent starter Alex Cobb to Los Angeles. MLBPipeline.com places him 18th in the Orioles system.

He'll bring a curiosity to camp next month (hopefully) over his chances of unseating Odor and getting fans really excited about him again.