Still more questions and curiosities about 2024 Orioles

New faces beyond the ones reported should be found inside the Orioles’ spring training clubhouse in February. The 40-man roster has room for two more players. The minor league signings and invites aren’t done.

Got to fill out the Triple-A roster, too. Depth is important.

But in the meantime, those of us who write and talk about the Orioles for a living, especially 365 days a year, are playing the hand that’s dealt.

I’ve wondered whether Kyle Bradish could build on his breakout season, Jordan Westburg would play more regularly, Cole Irvin would keep bouncing between the rotation and bullpen, and John Means would give the club a full and productive season.

I’ve asked for an update on Dillon Tate and whether Seth Johnson would debut next summer. How much Craig Kimbrel has left in tank. Does Jackson Holliday make the Opening Day roster, and what happens to Joey Ortiz?

Here are three more.

Does Colton Cowser make the team in spring training?

The last time we heard from Cowser, he was drilling a 455-foot grand slam in the Triple-A National Championship game to give Norfolk a 7-6 win over Oklahoma City. He was chosen Most Valuable Player.

Talk about going out with a bang.

Cowser is the No. 14 prospect in MLB Pipeline’s top 100. He made his debut over the summer at age 23, beginning July 5 at Yankee Stadium.

The Orioles optioned Cowser on Aug. 14 after he went 7-for-61, recalled him Sept. 1 as part of their expanded roster and optioned him again two days later with Aaron Hicks again coming off the injured list.

That was it for Cowser. Heston Kjerstad, another left-handed hitting outfielder and former first-round draft pick, had his contract selected on Sept. 14, and he squeezed onto the Division Series roster. Ryan McKenna was recalled when Ryan Mountcastle went on the injured list.

Cowser will report to camp with a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster, but we don’t know at this time whether there’s also room for Kjerstad with Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander set to return, Kyle Stowers in the mix, and the club perhaps adding a veteran outfielder.

You tell me. Is Cowser at Camden Yards on March 28?

Which Jacob Webb will we see?

The Orioles selected Webb off waivers from the Angels in August. His availability seemed a little odd after he posted a 3.98 ERA in 29 relief appearances and struck out 34 batters in 31 2/3 innings.

Webb also walked 20. And he was out of options.

There’s two solid reasons.

Anyway, Webb didn’t allow a run in his first eight appearances with the Orioles, surrendering two hits and striking out 11 batters in 7 2/3 innings. Twenty of his 25 outings were scoreless.

Runs were charged to Webb in four of his last 11 heading into the Division Series. He let 16 of 32 inherited runners score for the season, including five of 10 with the Orioles. And we know what happened in the playoffs.

Webb pitched twice against the Rangers and served up two home runs, including a grand slam in Game 2 after Bryan Baker walked the bases loaded.

The changeup became an out pitch for Webb after the Orioles claimed him and tweaked the usage of his secondary stuff.

“I feel like my changeup has come back a little bit,” he told me in August. “I was kind of struggling with it a little bit down the stretch with Anaheim. It’s nice to have all my pitches working again the way they should be. A little more confident going out there, too, when you have all your stuff.”

The Orioles tendered a contract to Webb, but they aren’t committed to keeping him. If they do, we know which Webb they’re expecting to get in 2024.

You tell me. Which Webb will we see?

Is first base primarily in the hands of Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn?

Mountcastle appeared in 90 games at first base in 2023, 20 more than O’Hearn. His total was reduced by stops on the injured list with vertigo and an inflamed left shoulder.

The Orioles tendered contracts to Mountcastle and O’Hearn, which was the expected outcome. They have spots reserved on the Opening Day roster barring something unforeseen.

The crystal ball isn’t showing whether the arrangement holds throughout the season.

Mountcastle has two options left and O’Hearn has one. It would require a massive, soul-crushing slump for the Orioles to consider sending down Mountcastle.

The long fly ball in the ointment is Coby Mayo, the No. 27 prospect per MLB Pipeline. The kid with light tower power.

Third base already draws a crowd with Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and potentially others on the bench. Mayo has a big-time arm. Pipeline gives it a 70 grade. It seems like a waste at first base, but he’s started 30 games there in the minors and it’s a way to keep his bat in the lineup.

Of course, Mayo also could serve as designated hitter when he debuts, but he just turned 22 years old. Let’s avoid hanging that tag on him at such a young age.

I’m curious how the Orioles make room for Mayo when he’s deemed ready, if he hasn’t been packaged in a trade. He isn’t playing first base in the minors for no reason.

You tell me - a two-parter, as it turns out. Is it strictly Mountcastle and O’Hearn at first base next year? And what will the Orioles do with Mayo?