Best Views Give Orioles Much-Needed Hope For The Future – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The biggest news to come out of the Orioles camp this year was probably an injury – for a player who has never appeared in a major league game.

Catcher Adleyrutschman had to pause with a triceps problem. It didn’t sound like a major setback for the former No. 1 draft pick, but after a 110-loss season in 2021, Baltimore is hungry for signs of hope going forward. Slipman’s arrival in the majors — whenever it happens — is a moment to look forward to for the franchise and its fans.

CONTINUE READING: Weather Watch: Dangerous winds can accompany thunderstorms

“I think it’s an extremely small mistake for a man who’s going to have a long career,” manager Brandon Hyde said after TRUCKMAN was injured. “I look forward to being out there when he is healthy. I think yes, he makes us better.”

Inrutschman and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, the Orioles have two of the game’s top personalities. This will likely be another tough season in Baltimore, but that’s a foundation they can hope to build on.

Other players will be under scrutiny this season, but as far as the team’s long-term future is concerned,rutschman and Rodriguez will come under scrutiny. Slipman is ranked #2 among prospects by MLB Pipeline, and Rodriguez is #6. Detroit is the only other two-player franchise in the top 10.

NEW LOOK

It wasn’t a particularly sparkling offseason for the Orioles, but they did Add right-hander Jordan Lyles to try and bolster a pitching team that finished last year’s majors in ERA.

Lyles went 10-13 with a 5.15 ERA for the Texas Rangers last season.

Baltimore also acquired Second baseman Rougned Odor, who hit .202 with 15 homers and 39 RBIs in 102 games with the New York Yankees.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

rutschman made it to Triple-A Norfolk last year, hitting .312 in 43 games there. Rodriguez was 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 18 starts for Double-A Bowie.

Aside from those two, the next best prospects in the Baltimore system are infielder Gunnar Henderson (ranked 64th) and outfielder Colton Cowser (ranked 66th), according to MLB Pipeline. Of those two, only Henderson has achieved Double-A.

CONTINUE READING: Local legislation targets E-ZPass issues

Rodriguez was sent to minor league camp but general manager Mike Elias hinted he could work his way up quickly.

“He’ll make some starts in the minor leagues,” Elias said. “With Krügen, we have a pretty good idea of ​​how their stuff will be translated. If he ticks a few boxes, I don’t think there’s much left to prove.”

ANOTHER 1-1

The Orioles have a chance to add another big name to their system if they pick first overall again this summer. A new draft lottery system goes into effect in 2023, but that doesn’t take away from this year’s top picks from Baltimore, which had a worst record in the majors with Arizona in 2021.

ENCOURAGES

Outfielder Cedric Mullins was a bright spot for the Orioles last year, hitting .291 with 30 homers and 30 steals and finishing ninth in American League MVP voting. Now 27-year-old Mullins will try to show that it was no coincidence. It was the first time he played more than 48 games in a season for the Orioles.

His performance last year was all the more impressive since Mullins had bowel surgery in November 2020 following a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.

“I think over the last year everyone has been amazed at what he’s done,” Hyde said. “He just stuck it out all season. I’m excited. I hope he can build on that.”

John Means threw a no-hitter last season and posted a 3.62 ERA in 26 starts for the Orioles. You will turn to him again to direct the rotation.

NEW DIMENSIONS

The Orioles announced a significant change to their home stadium in January — moving back the wall in left field to give pitchers some breathing space. That’ll be a story to watch early in the season as right-handed power-hitters find it now takes a longer drive to reach the seats.

MORE NEWS: Stuck cargo ship always moving forward cannot move forward

Baltimore hit 122 home runs and 73 away last year. Orioles pitchers allowed 155 home runs at home and 103 on the road.