Richie Martin on being a Rule 5 pick and competing for a job

In a spring training that's going to spew its share of storylines and curiosities for the media, one of the major ones involves the Rule 5 picks and how many the Orioles are willing to stash on the 25-man roster.

They kept two for the bullpen last year in Pedro Araujo and Nestor Cortes Jr., the latter designated for assignment in April and returned to the Yankees organization after clearing waivers. Outfielder Anthony Santander's status carried over from 2017, forcing the Orioles to keep him with the parent club until May 13.

There could be a similar setup this year with Araujo and infielders Richie Martin and Drew Jackson. Araujo must stay on the active roster for 17 days before the Orioles can option him.

Martin, 24, should be included on mock opening day rosters as the first overall selection at December's Winter Meetings. He'd really have to be overmatched or injured to be excluded. And a rebuilding club that obviously likes his defensive skills and is intrigued by his improvement at the plate should be able to keep him in some capacity - whether he's starting at shortstop or coming off the bench.

Martin in a reserve role could impact Jackson's status. How many Rule 5 infielders fit on one bench? But again, the Orioles are focused on upgrading the level of talent in the organization. And Jackson, 25, also is going to compete for a starting job. Maybe it's premature to already label him as a backup.

Asked at FanFest whether being a Rule 5 pick puts more or less pressure on him, Martin replied, "I try not to put pressure on myself regardless of the situation."

Seems like a wise and mature approach.

"Either way, if I was with Oakland or Baltimore, I'm going to go and compete," Martin said. "It's going to be the same here. I have to go out and win a job. As far as I'm concerned, nothing is given and I have to go out and play well. It's as simple as that."

Are the rebuilding Orioles an ideal team for Martin as he tries to make the major league roster and stay on it?

"I don't think you can look at it that way," he said. "Anyplace you're at, you've got to compete. Nothing's set in stone. But I'm given a great opportunity and I just need to take advantage of it."

The odds improve with Martin's rise in offensive production, though the Rule 5 status and glove might be sufficient.

The former first-round pick was ranked as Oakland's No. 12 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, which rated his arm tool at 60 on the 20-80 scouting scale and placed him as a 60 defender. But Martin also had a breakout 2018 season at Double-A Midland by slashing .300/.368/.439 with 29 doubles, eight triples and 25 stolen bases in 118 games, and he offered an explanation at FanFest that I posted here.

"I worked on a lot of things in the offseason," he said. "And there's so many things. I saw a hitting guy, I had my eyes checked.

"I had really bad vision. I never realized it until I went to the doctor. You grow up and you're not used to knowing that your eyesight can be better until you actually sit down and have your eyes really checked. So I got contacts and I wear contacts every game at night and it really helped that. A lot of little things, mechanical and mental. It all helped."

Word began to leak at the Winter Meetings that Martin would be the first player taken in the Rule 5 draft. It didn't reach him.

"To be honest, I had no idea," he said. "It wasn't like the amateur draft, where you kind of have an idea of where guys are going to go, or teams calling your agent. It's really just, I don't want to say 'random,' but the players have no idea and kind of just have to sit back and wait like everybody else. But it's interesting. I've been given a good opportunity and just have to take advantage of it."

Martin could be mad at the A's for not protecting him or thrilled that the Orioles really wanted him. Or he could choose "none of the above."

"I wasn't really emotional toward either," he said. "I can just control what I can, and Oakland made their decision. But Baltimore picked me up, and I have a great opportunity and I'm glad to be here. I'm looking forward to the season and spring training. All I can do now is just go out and play."

* The changes in the Orioles farm system include long-time hitting instructor Terry Crowley, who won't be retained for the 2019 season.

Crowley served as a roving instructor since Jim Presley replaced him as Orioles hitting coach following the 2010 season. Crowley also was described as an "offensive evaluator" who did some scouting for the club.

Crowley was the Orioles' hitting coach from 1985-88 and again from 1999-2010. He held the same title with the Twins from 1991-98.

We're waiting for the Orioles to announce their minor league staffs. They're keeping Jeff Manto, who was hired as hitting coordinator in November 2013.

Harford Community College coach Tom Eller has been hired for a minor league position, breaking the news himself on Twitter. I've written about the need for a new hitting coach at short-season Single-A Aberdeen.