Sisco on his time in Norfolk, Schoop on O's DP combo and more

NORFOLK, Va. - He was a popular pregame interview on Monday afternoon in Norfolk. That would be 23-year-old Orioles catcher Chance Sisco. He was the Tides' regular catcher last season, but this time he was just making a visit to Harbor Park.

Sisco won the job as the Orioles No. 2 catcher in spring. A lot of the defensive work he put in during his time in the International League last season is paying off now.

Being in Norfolk again reminded Sisco that his game took nice steps forward when he was with the Tides in 2017.

"I would say my game grew defensively," he said. "That was my main focus last year. Moreso than the years in the past. I always want to do good at the plate, but last year was a little bit different with my focus behind the plate. R.J. (Tides manager Ron Johnson) helped me a lot. (Francisco) Peña did as well.

"It was a little more veteran pitching staff than I had been with in the past. Working with them and learning how to have a relationship with an older, more mature pitching staff helped me tremendously with calling the game."

We all wait to see just how much Sisco will play come Thursday. He said he has not been told.

"No we haven't had any conversations like that. I don't really expect to. If we do, awesome. But I'm on the team and looking for wins. That's it," he said.

A reporter who covered Sisco with the Tides asked him if he feels now he belongs in the big leagues?

"Yeah, I do. Yeah. You've got to have that confidence in the back of your mind that you belong. It's not a cocky attitude. But a comfortability and confidence that you need."

Now Sisco can continue in Baltimore his relationship with Caleb Joseph, who has been a mentor for the younger catcher.

"Caleb and I have had a good relationship the last couple of years. Being up there last year it's grown even more. He's an awesome guy to have there to help me and to look up to," Sisco said.

Norfolk manager Ron Johnson said Sisco really came on with his defense as last season went on. "Unbelievable improvement," Johnson said. "The last month of the season made me a believer in this young man. He went though the season and had the ups and downs. The one constant was always his bat. But when I saw him the last month of the season running a game, blocking and throwing, it was really glaring how much improvement he made. I'm a real believer in this kid."

Sisco finished spring games batting .429/.474/.800 in 18 games with five doubles, a triple, two homers and 10 RBIs.

The scoop on Schoop and Manny: Watching Jonathan Schoop crush a two-run homer to right-center yesterday provided the latest reminder - he had a great spring and might be poised for an even better year than last season. In fact, Schoop and good friend Manny Machado figure to make up a formidable double play duo on defense with the potential to put up huge numbers also on offense.

Is that pair poised for a big year?

"We worked hard in spring training and it's going to be special. Me and Manny will do everything that we can to help this team win. Anything we can do, we're ready for it," Schoop said.

He was not short on confidence Monday either, when he was asked if he and Machado can make up one of the majors' best DP duos?

"We are on the top of the list. Me and Manny believe in each other and we know we're the best. We'll show it," Schoop said.

The relationship between the Orioles and Tides: That relationship remains strong, as evidenced by Monday's game and the Orioles' latest trip to Harbor Park. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked by Tides reporters about playing the game.

"It has always been honor for us and me to come here," he said. "Anything that helps our agreement here. It just fits for us. Not just geographically, but there is just a real connection between the people that work for both organizations. There is a real sense of 'we.' I tell our players, when we're playing on the west coast, there are people living and dying with everything we do - including people here in Norfolk."

Click here to read the wrapup of yesterday's O's 7-6 win over Norfolk. Click here to read more about the Orioles' plans to honor the UMBC men's basketball team during a special pregame ceremony on Friday, April 20 prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Indians.

She said yes!: Before yesterday's game the reporters on the field to conduct pregame interviews got to see a special moment up close. The PA announcer asked the assembled to look near the Orioles dugout, where Adam Jones was making a presentation to a fan. What he was doing was delivering an engagement ring to a gentleman named Daniel Diaz so that Diaz could propose to Kristine Dizon.

VIDEO: Ringing in baseball season@Orioles' Adam Jones (@SimplyAJ10), a 5-time @MLB All-Star, helps #VABeach resident & #Birdland fan Daniel Diaz (@ogdanield) propose to girlfriend Kristine Dizon prior to O's exhibition game vs @NorfolkTides.https://t.co/hwmReJDeU1 pic.twitter.com/wcCkb8seV9

-- Adam Winkler (@AdamWinkSports) March 26, 2018

Thanks again to @SimplyAJ10 for his help in making the pregame wedding proposal between Kristine Dizon and Daniel Diaz a special one! #Birdland pic.twitter.com/EheAE1kVR8

-- Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) March 26, 2018