More story ideas as spring training officially starts

SARASOTA, Fla. – Now it’s getting serious.

Stories will be filed from Florida camps, beginning with this morning’s hour-long media access inside the clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Executive vice president/general manger Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde will be available before the first workout with pitchers and catchers.

The Birdland Caravan provided early access to Elias, Hyde and many of the players who would draw crowds at their lockers.

Other topics for them will develop later. I’m interested in getting some of the guys who didn’t make it to Maryland and the breweries.

Newly engaged Tyler Wells is staying on a starter’s routine but with no promises that he’s in the rotation. What are his expectations? How would he handle a switch back to the bullpen after he went through the process of converting from Rule 5 relief to starter – and impressing over the first half before the first of his two injuries?

Kyle Bradish had a 7.38 ERA and 1.770 WHIP in 10 starts in the first half and opponents batted .339/.401/.566. He had a 3.28 ERA and 1.164 WHIP in 13 second-half starts and opponents batted .212/.296/.312. His ERA was 2.76 in his last eight outings.

Is he confident that he’s in a five-man rotation or is he fighting for his spot? And what areas, if any, did he address in the offseason to maintain or improve?

Anthony Santander is leaving camp to play for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Are there any concerns about ramping up quicker for the competition? What’s it mean to represent his country? Is he preparing for drills at first base in camp and perhaps making some starts in exhibition games?

He didn’t go on the injured list last season. Did he stay on his offseason routine, or did the WBC necessitate some changes?

He hit 33 home runs last season. Are 40 attainable?

Shortstop Jorge Mateo won a Fielding Bible Award at shortstop. What did the honor mean to him, and did he wonder why the Rawlings Gold Glove voters shunned him? Was he confident over the winter that he’d remain at his position or did he wonder whether Gunnar Henderson might displace him?

Mateo led the American League with 35 stolen bases. How high can he go in 2023 with the larger bases and restrictions on pickoff attempts?

Keegan Akin posted a 2.36 ERA and 0.881 WHIP before the All-Star break and opponents slashed .178/.229/.351, but his second-half numbers included a 4.76 ERA, 1.482 WHIP and a .310/.353/.416 line against. What did he focus on to get back to his earlier form, and is he confident that he’ll break camp with the team?

Dean Kremer was unable to attend the happy hour at Crooked Crab Brewing Company in Odenton due to an illness. What’s his take on the number of starter candidates – executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias placed it at 12 among pitchers on the 40-man roster – and how the Orioles will get down to five? Did he do enough in 2022 to make him feel secure about his standing in the rotation?

Bruce Zimmermann wasn’t on the caravan, though he’s local. He was the No. 4 starter leaving spring training last year. I’d like to know how he spent the offseason and how he feels about his chances of re-entering the rotation. Does he feel overlooked in any way with Kyle Gibson signing as a free agent, Cole Irvin arriving in a trade and top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez ready to claim a spot?

Is Mike Baumann in a starter or reliever mindset in camp, and how does he like his chances of making the club? What did he concentrate on during his offseason workouts that could assist him in becoming an established major league pitcher and keep him off the Triple-A shuttle? What weaknesses were addressed?

The Rule 5 guys always draw the media’s attention. Reliever Andrew Politi is no exception.  

Austin Voth agreed to a $1.85 million contract with an option for 2024. Will be good to get his side of that process and the importance of avoiding an arbitration hearing. Also, the whole starter-or-reliever thing.

There’s also Spenser Watkins … and the whole starter-or-reliever thing.

The Orioles made Gibson, Irvin, Adam Frazier, James McCann and Mychal Givens available on video calls, but hey, it’s been a while.

On the non-roster side, catcher Anthony Bemboom re-signed with the Orioles, was outrighted off the 40-man roster and then saw the club trade for McCann. There’s a story.

Lewin Díaz’s offseason could be two stories.

Notes: The following ex-Orioles will serve as spring training guest instructors:

Scott McGregor - Feb. 15-20
Mike Devereaux - Feb. 21-27
Mike Bordick - Feb. 24-March 2
Ben McDonald - March 2-8

The following exhibition games will air on MASN or MASN2 beginning at 1:05 p.m:

March 6 vs. Phillies on MASN
March 18 at Red Sox on MASN2
March 21 vs. Red Sox on MASN
March 27 vs. Cardinals on MASN

Twelve games will be broadcast on the Orioles Radio Network.

Fans can watch the daily workouts through Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Parking is free and available on the East Lot of Ed Smith Stadium.