It is not unusual for a minor league player who’s a top 100 prospect with a big resume to struggle early on in the majors. Colton Cowser hit just .115 with a .433 OPS in 2023. A year before that, Adley Rutschman, then the minor’s No. 1-rated prospect, went his first 20 games without a homer or RBI and had an OPS of .513 in his O’s debut. Last year, Jackson Holliday produced a … [Read more...] about A look at Coby Mayo’s struggles and an Oriole Hall of Famer who went through something similar
How strong is Orioles’ bullpen? | MAILBAG
Question: The Orioles’ bullpen looks stout. Do you think after losing starter Corbin Burnes, Mike Elias decided to build the best bullpen he could and hope for fiv innings from the starters? What are your thoughts on the quality of the bullpen? From: Mike Woolf Answer: Mike, I think the Orioles would like to get at least six innings from their starting pitchers. If they … [Read more...] about How strong is Orioles’ bullpen? | MAILBAG
Questions as spring training kicks off a new season for Orioles
It’s been more than four months since we’ve seen the Orioles on the field, but the wait is nearly over. On Thursday, one day after pitchers and catchers report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Florida, players will take the field. Other than a January 31st availability at the Birdland Caravan with 10 players and Zoom interviews for some newly signed players, there’s … [Read more...] about Questions as spring training kicks off a new season for Orioles
Sunday notes on Rutschman, the new skipper at Norfolk and the Orioles’ payroll
Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman’s poor second half cost him 100 points on his season OPS year-over-year. What was .809 in 2023, when he finished ninth for the AL MVP, fell to .709 last season. His second-half decline (hitting .207 with a .585 OPS) puzzled a lot of people and there were a bunch of theories. “I always have confidence in myself,” Rutschman told the media during … [Read more...] about Sunday notes on Rutschman, the new skipper at Norfolk and the Orioles’ payroll
Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson: ‘My number 1 goal is to make a strong playoff push’
In his first two complete seasons, Gunnar Henderson has won American League Rookie of the Year, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and last year was voted the starting shortstop for the American League in the All-Star Game. He also finished fourth in the Most Valuable Player voting. But Henderson has fallen short of an important objective — to play for a team that’s made a deep … [Read more...] about Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson: ‘My number 1 goal is to make a strong playoff push’