O's pregame notes in Texas on Gunnar Henderson, Bemboom's catcher debut and more

ARLINGTON, Tex. – The Orioles scored 23 runs in Boston and had two players produce a five-hit game. They hit nine doubles and added seven homers and their team OPS of 1.033 leads the American League at this early point.

But baseball’s No. 1 prospect, Gunnar Henderson, considered a leading candidate to be the American League Rookie of the Year, is still looking for his first hit of 2023. He is 0-for-8 but has also drawn a team-leading six walks.

That is six walks out of the Orioles' team total of 15 and no other player on the roster has walked more than twice thus far.

“The hits haven’t come yet but they will,” manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon in the visitor’s dugout at Globe Life Field. “But he’s taking good at-bats. Lot of 3-2 counts. Laying off borderline, the pitches that are off (the plate). Feel like on some of his swings, he’s just missing a few. Little bit musclely, I think he’s trying to get that first one. Once he gets that first one, he’s going to be able to relax a little bit. But his at-bats have been good so far.”

Henderson’s walk rate, which was 12.1 last year is 42.9 at this very early juncture. Last season he saw 4.08 pitches per plate appearance and that is up to 4.50 so far this year.

The Orioles had several grind-it-out at-bats in Boston and that leaves them with a team OBP of .426 through one series and that is tied for the MLB lead. Can the O's find another gear this year in the plate discipline department?

"We can always improve," Hyde said. "But I was really happy with our at-bats in the three games there. I felt like we left some runs out there too, to be honest with you. Just the whole offense, not just the hitting, but how we ran the bases. How many walks we took. The quality at-bats that we took. It was a good first series for the offense now we have to keep it going."

The Orioles have seven hitters that can bat from the left side in there tonight against Texas right-hander Jon Gray, who last year allowed a .731 OPS to lefty batters and .602 versus right-handers.

Kyle Stowers gets his first start of the season, batting sixth in left field.

“He’s got really good stuff. Hoping he leaves something out over the plate for Kyle. Was trying to get him in there in Boston,” said Hyde.

Anthony Bemboom gets his first catcher start of the year tonight in the series opener after Adley Rutschman caught all three games at Boston. Rutschman is batting second as the DH tonight.

“Every time Boomer has been back there he’s always called a good game,” said  Hyde of Bemboom, who recorded a 3.40 O’s catcher ERA last year, even a bit better than Rutschman’s mark of 3.78.”He’s caught extremely well. We really like what he does defensively. He did a nice job for us last year. The way he controlled the pitching staff."

Orioles catcher James McCann, on the injured list retroactive to March 27^th, continues to get closer to a return to the field. He hit on the field here earlier today and ran bases for the first time since going on the IL with a left oblique strain.

“I’m on track, making good progress every day,” he said.”Feels a lot better, we’re moving right along.”

Added Hyde: “Watched him hit here on the field. Ran the bases well. So he’s getting closer.”

McCann is eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, the day of the Orioles' home opener with the Yankees.

O's pitcher John Means has joined the Orioles here in Texas and his rehab and comeback from Tommy John surgery continue to proceed on schedule.

"When you are out that long and have Tommy John surgery and you are spending that many days in the training room, to be around the club is important and I think uplifting for him," said Hyde.