Rutschman finds the comfort zone and LeBlanc impresses

Catcher Adley Rutschman should be in the midst of his first full minor league season right now, possibly playing at Single-A Frederick or Double-A Bowie. But the baseball shutdown changed all of that.

On Friday, he reported to Camden Yards to join the Orioles' 60-man player pool. Stranger things have happened, but it seems unlikely they would use him in a major league game before he's even played above low Single-A ball, but he's back mixing with the big league players again. He was also a non-roster invite to the earlier spring camp.

So far, he's fitting in just fine.

"The main thing is, we have a lot of great guys in the clubhouse and a lot of great coaches," Rutschman said yesterday. "They are very welcoming and very accommodating. So I'm just fortunate to be with a great club and a great group of people here. I think that's what helps out the most. They're very supportive. And I think that kind of chemistry and camaraderie amongst the guys is something that goes a lot further than just the game of baseball itself."

Rutschman was asked if he had concerns playing amid the coronavirus.

"Especially (about) my family, for sure. As far as like the precautionary measures go, me and my family, we've done all we could from that standpoint to stay safe," he said. "After (spring training ended in) Florida, I went up to my apartment in Washington (state) and was able to quarantine and stay safe as much as possible. Just try to feel out what was going on. Trying to stay safe. The last thing I would want is for my family, someone there, to get sick. I'm not as at risk as other people."

Rutschman was at Camden Yards for a press conference last summer after he signed his first contract. He got a then-record $8.1 million signing bonus after being selected with the first pick in the first round out of Oregon State. Then he was on the field Saturday night in his first O's intrasquad game, drawing two walks with a groundout. He was asked his favorite aspect of Camden Yards.

"I think the park, as a whole, is very impressive," he said. "I love the warehouse in right field. Someone was saying it's the oldest standing building east of the Mississippi. Just to see some of the history around the city and the ballpark, it's just a cool feeling and I'm fortunate to be a part of that."

O's manager Brandon Hyde said Rutschman, who was added to the club's 60-man player pool on Friday, is fitting in just fine.

"Adley's a pro. He looks great. Looks great," Hyde said. "Swinging the bat really well. Catching some major league pitching here the last couple of days and does it easy. So he's done a nice job of also putting a lot of work and time in these last few months. He sent in videos to Cuz (O's coach Tim Cossins) and some other guys constantly about the drills he's been doing. And he's here in shape and ready to go. Been fun watching him the last couple of games."

Are they banking on LeBlanc?: Hyde reminded us during his Monday interview session that outside of John Means going in the opener, he has not set his rotation yet. He's got one spot locked in. But with Means, Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc expected to start the three exhibition games July 19-21, they are lined up for the first three games at Boston from July 24-26. As always, it's subject to change. Write it in pencil for now.

But the 35-year-old LeBlanc was quite impressive in Saturday night's intrasquad outing. Over five scoreless innings, he gave up three hits and had three 1-2-3 innings. He walked one and fanned four. He looked just about ready to go.

LeBlanc has 234 career big league games under his belt, and the Orioles are hoping he can not only provide some quality innings but maybe help out some of the younger pitchers as well.

"His outing the other day, five innings," Hyde said. "Seen him do it before where he's really able to locate his fastball to both sides of the plate. He's got a cutter that he can backdoor against right-handers as well as get in on their hands. And then the other night, a really, really good changeup to keep guys off-balance and off his fastball and cutter. So he's got a great mix of pitches he's able to use in different locations. He's got plus-plus command of those pitches and he's able to navigate and really work hitters. He's had a nice career up to this point with really good command of his stuff.

"It's nice to have him around. We're in two separate clubhouses and I'm in the other one, so don't get to see him all the time. He's played for a long time and is a real pro. He makes it light and is messing with guys all the time. So fun to have him around."

LeBlanc is the oldest current member of the Orioles and will turn 36 on Aug. 7. He has played for seven different teams over 11 major league seasons and he's definitely a command and control lefty. His fastball has never averaged 90 mph or better over a full big league season. His four-seamer last year averaged 86.7 mph and his two-seamer was at 86.4 mph.

"Changing speeds within the strike zone is very important for me, always has been," he said during spring camp in Florida. "Always will be. Guys with power stuff have a little more room for error. But for everyone in general, being able to change speeds inside the strike zone is something that can take someone's game to the next level."

There was more good pitching in the intrasquad last night at Oriole Park. Tommy Milone threw five scoreless innings and Thomas Eshelman allowed one run over five innings with four strikeouts. Read more here.

Also the Orioles tweeted this out of a Rutschman single to center.

This sound will never get old. pic.twitter.com/fdYKtOTp8z

-- Baltimore Orioles 😷 (@Orioles) July 14, 2020