Reviewing the first week of Orioles camp

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reached another spring mile marker today with the first full-squad workout.

Every player is in camp except for infielder Alcides Escobar, who's expected to report later today, catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante - the latter two stuck in Venezuela for visa and health reasons.

"(Today) definitely does step it up a notch. There's no doubt," said manager Brandon Hyde.

"There are going to be balls flying all over the place. We're going to have 14 guys throwing live batting practice and some team defense stuff. So, yeah, there's a lot more going on in the next week."

Hyde has no complaints about the first week. Drills are running smoothly and the added touches - two extra mounds, hitting on the stadium field, music playing - seem to meet universal approval.

He's also pleased with two late additions to the roster, both on minor league deals. Escobar and outfielder Eric Young Jr. fit the exact profile that Hyde wants in camp - respected veterans who can provide versatility and leadership.

"Character is huge for me," he said. "Having a high-character clubhouse, having high-character players. You want to have an awesome atmosphere and those kinds of character guys just add to it. Especially if it's an older veteran player who's had good experiences. Those are definitely positive factors in the shaping of your roster."

Young and pitcher Nathan Karns already have talked about embracing the leadership responsibilities. Escobar figures to do the same when the media descends on him.

"There's an opportunity to kind of pass around the quality information, experiences," Karns said. "Everyone's going to kind of go through an injury. You don't wish that upon anyone, but if they do, you can relate to them and tell them about the road back to being healthy. But end of the day, I'm here to give advice when asked and at the same time kind of pick some of the other veterans minds.

"They have a lot of experience too, so it's a good way to pass along information, experiences, and kind of improve as a player."

The younger group understands how a rebuilding situation can open doors that otherwise might have remained shut.

"I think it's a fresh start for the players, the staff, the fan base, the city," said infielder Steve Wilkerson, one of the many utility candidates. "I think it's a really exciting time right now."

"I feel like we're in a good spot here," said pitcher Hunter Harvey. "Hopefully, there will be more opportunities here. It's a good spot to be in."

Hyde operates in a more informal manner than his predecessor, preferring to meet with the local beat writers on the field as workouts wind down instead of sitting behind a desk press conference-style in the planning room. One way isn't right or wrong. It's just another noticeable difference from past camps.

The two high-speed cameras set up behind the row of six bullpen mounds are gaining lots of attention, a technological advance resisted by the Orioles in past years. We're also not used to having laptops perched on a picnic table.

Many of the pitchers are as familiar with the Edgertronic cameras as they are rocket science.

"I'm really not," Harvey said. "I'm trying to get used to it and I'm open to listening to anything and try to figure it out. It's something new to learn.

"The camera slows down, you can see how the ball's coming out, you can see the spin. Obviously, you can see it when you're throwing, too, if you're standing behind it, but it's cool to be able to slow it down and be able to see it in slo-mo like that. I haven't had my meeting with any of the analytic stuff yet, so I'm not sure. I'm still waiting to hear from that and see how it goes."

His father, former major league closer Bryan Harvey, won't be able to shorten the learning curve.

"He talks about it all the time," Hunter Harvey said. "It's kind of the way the game is going anyway. For him, he's kind of an old-school guy. He's not big on analytics. He can go out there and see a hitter and everything he needs to know, the hitter will tell him. I'm sure he'd be open to listening to it, but it's just something different to him, too."

The injury list has been manageable. Pitcher Dean Kremer's strained left oblique is a downer, but he was a long shot to break camp with the team and his season isn't jeopardized.

Mark Trumbo's right knee feels good. Richard Bleier has thrown twice in the bullpen since pitchers and catcher's reported and his lat surgery continues to be a success. Austin Hays is running, fielding and hitting without any pain in his left ankle. Harvey has been full-go in camp after shoulder and forearm injuries ruined another season.

"Body and everything feels good," Harvey said. "Arm feels good. I think it's coming around pretty good."