Teams want the Orioles’ relief pitchers, Ryan McKenna is impressing, and more in today’s Bird Droppings.
Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters! I hope your week has gotten off to a fine start. As for the Orioles, I imagine they had a pleasant off day after their weekend sweep of the Nationals. They’re back on the field tonight for the first of two games against the Miami Marlins. The Marlins are currently in last place in the N.L. East, so maybe these two basement dwelling teams will play very competitive games!
The big talk of the week is, of course, the draft deadline. If you missed it yesterday, Tyler Young looked at the possibility of it being a slow trade deadline for the Orioles. Over at The Athletic, Dan Connolly has sources telling him that both Paul Fry and Tanner Scott have the most trade interest from contending teams looking to shore up their bullpens.
It does seem likely that if any players are traded, it would be one or both of those players. They’ve been two of the better pitchers in the not-very-good O’s bullpen, and Scott in particular can look very nasty when his pitches are on. I have a confession to make, though. I’d be happy to see him go. Scott can be a very frustrating pitcher to watch as he alternates between freezing batters with filthy pitches and walking everyone in sight.
That has been the story of Tanner Scott for pretty much his entire career. Back when he was pitching in the minors, if I was writing that day’s minors recap and saw his name in the box score I’d make a guess as to whether he walked more batters than he struck out in his appearance. There was no way to know what it was going to be.
I know Scott has talent, there is no denying that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a few dominant seasons out of the bullpen in him. But for right now, I’d be happy to see him traded for someone who might make the team better in a few years.
Links
Fry on trade talk: “I want to be part of the solution either way” – School of Roch
Paul Fry is willing to sacrifice his place on the Orioles if it means the Orioles can be good again. Thank you, Paul Fry.
Delmarva’s Cannon on top pick Cowser: ‘He has the ability to handle the big moment’ – BaltimoreBaseball.com
Todd Karpovich has O’s minor leaguer Jordan Cannon’s thoughts on Colton Cowser. The two were teammates at Sam Houston State for one year.
Ryan McKenna ‘opening eyes’ even before key role in sweep-completing victory – Baltimore Sun
Ryan McKenna has been promoted to Baltimore six times this season. Six times! His chances have come with Austin Hays and Anthony Santander spending time on the IL, and there is a lot to like. If only he could hit a little better.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have an abundance of Orioles birthday buddies. Today is the 35th birthday of everyone’s favorite Rule 5 pick, Ryan Flaherty. Flaherty spent six seasons with the Orioles from 2012-2017, playing every position on the field except catcher and centerfield. I was blessed to be in attendance for his lone pitching appearance in 2016 along with some other Camden Chatters. Flaherty is currently a scout and coach with Padres.
Also celebrating today is Rich Dauer (69), who spent his entire 10-year career with the Orioles as a second and third baseman, 1976-198. A first-round draft pick in 1974, he was never much of a hitter but he played good enough defense to hang around for a decade.
Floyd “Honey Bear” Rayford is celebrating birthday number 64 today. Rayford was never a full-time player, playing in in 334 games for the Orioles in 1980, 1982, and 1984-87. Rayford was a third baseman and a catcher, which is fun. When he started at third base in the second game of a doubleheader in 1982, he was the last player to start a game at Cal Ripken’s position for over 16 years.
Finally, it’s the birthday of pitcher Preston Guilmet (34) who didn’t have quite as much time as an Oriole as his three birthday buddies. Guilmet appeared in 10 games for the 2014 Orioles and was traded to the Pirates for cash after the season.
On this day in 1996, the Orioles scored 10 runs off of Orel Hershiser in a 14-2 victory over Cleveland. Rafael Palmeiro reached base four times including hitting a grand slam, and Mike Devereaux hit a pinch-hit home run late in the game after Hershiser was knocked out.
In 2020, the Orioles were slated to play the same team that they will face tonight, the Miami Marlins, on the road. But a COVID-19 outbreak canceled the series in Miami and the games were later played in Baltimore with Miami as the home team.
That’s it from me, Birdland. I hope you approach this day the same way birthday boy Ryan Flaherty approaches an at-bat against Aroldis Chapman:
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