Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.
Question: In just the last several weeks we are seeing Orioles with major injuries from being hit by pitches (broken nose, broken hand). The pitchers seem to lose control, which is hugely dangerous for batters. Brandon Hyde said it was part of the game, but this isn’t ice hockey and they aren’t that well protected! Can anything be done? Watching James McCann on TV was brutal! He still played but other injuries are taking folks out the game for a long time. From: Sallye Perrin
Answer: Sallye, you are correct. It is scary and bad for the game when top players like Jordan Westburg and Mookie Betts are lost for substantial time. James McCann believes that the balls are too slick and he thinks that would help. Yariel Rodriguez, who hit McCann, had horrible control in the at-bats before his. The obsession with speed over control doesn’t help, either.
Question: Are the Orioles too in love with home runs? It seems their strikeouts are high and on the rise. Too many K’s in big moments against average pitchers. From: Wayne
Answer: Wayne, entering Thursday’s game, the Orioles had the most home runs in baseball, but rank 20th in the number of strikeouts. They’re also among the leaders in most other offensive categories, including leading the majors with a .774 OPS.
So, no I don’t think they’re too homer happy.