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Aberdeen IronBirds outfielder Dylan Beavers (23) breaks his bat while swinging at a pitch in a game against the Hudson Valley Renegades at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium on Tuesday, May 9. This game against the Renegades was Jackson Holliday’s home debut for the IronBirds.
Jon Meoli: Checking in on the Orioles’ 2022 college draftees Dylan Beavers, Max Wagner, and Jud Fabian at Aberdeen
The Orioles selected three college players on the first day of the MLB draft last year, and all three are now trying to adjust to High-A ball at Aberdeen.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) puts his helmet on after a meeting on the mound in a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Camden Yards on Tuesday, April 11. The Orioles beat the Athletics, 12-8, in the second game of the series.
Jon Meoli: Breaking down Adley Rutschman’s immense impact in his first 162 games with the Orioles
The Orioles started winning as soon as Adley Rutschman joined the team 162 games ago. We did our best to measure all the ways he's helped this team.
Cade Povich (93) poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on 2/23/23. The Baltimore Orioles’ Spring Training session runs from mid-February through the end of March.
Jon Meoli: The Orioles have always had faith in Cade Povich, and he’s delivering on it
Many in the game weren’t high on the 23-year old who headlined Baltimore’s return in the controversial Jorge Lopez trade last summer. But he’s finding his way at Bowie.
Heston Kjerstad (75) homers at Ed Smith Stadium during the 5th inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins on 2/25/23. The Baltimore Orioles hosted the Twins for their home opener as the Florida Grapefruit League started on Saturday.
Jon Meoli: Breaking down Orioles prospect Heston Kjerstad’s resurgence at Bowie
Not long after Mike Elias made Heston Kjerstad the second overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft, he described him with the scouting term of ‘hitterish’ — meaning he likes to swing the bat, hits the ball hard and at good angles and with carry to all fields. That player, this year, is back.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Tyler Wells (68) and catcher Adley Rutschman (35) speak together as they return to the dugout in a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards on Wednesday, April 26. The Orioles played the Red Sox in the third game of the series, with the winner of Wednesday's game taking the series.
Jon Meoli: The Orioles’ losses in Atlanta were close because of their starters. They can’t waste games like that going forward.
The Orioles have covered up for lousy starts with an explosive offense and strong group of relievers. But when they do get solid performances from pitchers in the rotation, they need to take advantage.
Orioles General Manager Mike Elias walks back toward the clubhouse after practice ends at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on 2/22/23. The Baltimore Orioles’ Spring Training session runs from mid-February through the end of March.
Jon Meoli: How the Orioles’ front office reacts to this upcoming tough stretch will be the most instructive part
The Orioles have thrived against lesser competition, but tougher games start today in Atlanta. We’ll learn a lot about the team — but even more about the overall plan, based on how Mike Elias responds to the outcome of these games.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) gets ready to swing in a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, April 19. The Orioles beat the Nationals, 4-0, to win the 2-game series.
Jon Meoli: Gunnar Henderson’s swing decisions are working against him. There might be an easy fix.
The numbers suggest Henderson’s inability to get hits is probably the byproduct of a careful hitter working to adjust to more sophisticated pitchers.
Connor Norby (94) swings for a pitch in the sixth inning of a game against the Tigers on 3/2/23. The Baltimore Orioles lost to the Detroit Tigers, 10-3, in the Florida Grapefruit League matchup.
Jon Meoli: What’s behind the impressive start for the Orioles’ top hitting prospects in Norfolk?
Tides hitting coach Brink Ambler knows these prospects well, having worked with many of them for years. He explains what’s working — and what’s not — for the organizations next wave of talent.
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (6) singles in a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards on Monday, April 24. The Orioles beat the Red Sox, 5-4, in the first game of the series.
Jon Meoli: April may have convinced you the Orioles are for real, or you might not be sure. Either way, you’re right.
You shouldn’t read too much into April — and the projections have not, as they still have the O’s missing the playoffs — but a 19-9 start built on homegrown talent is undeniably worth getting excited about.
Kyle Gibson (48) delivers a pitch at Ed Smith Stadium during the second inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on 3/3/23. The Baltimore Orioles tied the Pirates, 1-1, in the Florida Grapefruit League matchup.
Jon Meoli: Kyle Gibson’s start with the Orioles, fueled by his new sweeper, is exceeding expectations so far
Orioles fans were disappointed when Kyle Gibson turned out to be the team’s primary addition to the starting rotation during the offseason. So far, though, he’s pitched as well or better than the higher-priced options.
César Prieto (73) runs to third base following a double by Ryan O’Hearn in the sixth inning of a game against the Tigers on 3/2/23. The Baltimore Orioles lost to the Detroit Tigers, 10-3, in the Florida Grapefruit League matchup.
Jon Meoli: The Orioles push players through the minors, but these 4 prospects are benefiting from repeating a level
The Orioles have an aggressive approach to moving players up a level once they’ve mastered it, and those players generate hype. But don’t give up on those who take longer to adjust.
This photo shows a left-handed baseball player finishing his swing.
Jon Meoli: How Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo adapted quickly to Low-A with a chance to ‘just tear through the league’
The 18-year-old, signed as an international free agent, has used mechanical changes to his swing and an improved approached to the mental side of the game to thrive in Delmarva with three home runs and a .948 OPS in 11 games.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Yennier Canó (78) throws a pitch in a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, April 19. The Orioles beat the Nationals, 4-0, to win the 2-game series.
Jon Meoli: Breaking down the Orioles’ pitching resurgence, and whether it will hold going forward
The Orioles took decisive action by sending Cole Irvin down, and sent a message that the team would no longer abide mediocre appearances. The changes seem to have worked, but how sustainable is the current formula?
Joey Ortiz (65) swings for a pitch in the sixth inning of a game against the Tigers on 3/2/23. The Baltimore Orioles lost to the Detroit Tigers, 10-3, in the Florida Grapefruit League matchup.
Jon Meoli: If the Orioles need to replace Jorge Mateo, how will they choose between Jordan Westburg and Joey Ortiz?
The Orioles are hoping Mateo won’t be out long, but would face a very difficult decision if he needed an extend recovery. Which is, of course, a testament to how well the rebuild has gone.
This photo shows Jackson Holliday, a left-handed hitter, continuing his swing after making contact with a baseball.
Jon Meoli: O’s prospect Jackson Holliday hasn’t been challenged by Low-A pitching, so he’s finding ways to grow
Entering Tuesday’s game in Fredericksburg, Holliday’s full-season debut has been exactly what he and the Orioles would hope.
Coby Mayo (95) poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on 2/23/23. The Baltimore Orioles’ Spring Training session runs from mid-February through the end of March.
Jon Meoli: Coby Mayo’s maturity impressed a Major League mentor. Next up is figuring out Double-A.
He fought through injuries in the latter part of last season and knows that Double-A will continue to challenge him as a hitter. He’s responded by taking a more refined approach in BP.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (30) watches the game from the dugout after his night ended in the fifth inning on Tuesday, April 11. This game against the Oakland Athletics was Rodriguez's first career start at Camden Yards.
Jon Meoli: Grayson Rodriguez’s home debut presented a compelling case for him to stay with the Orioles all season
The Orioles’ top prospect has made plenty of mistakes, and they’ve hurt him, but that's the point: Only major league hitters are good enough to consistently punish him, so Rodriguez needs to stay up and make adjustments.
Norfolk Tides pitching coach Justin Ramsey, right, speaks to TK TK.
Meet Justin Ramsey, a ‘proactive coach’ influencing a generation of young Orioles pitchers
Ramsey has worked his way through the Orioles' system, preaching a unified approach to pitching as he mentors top prospects.
Kyle Stowers (83) swings at a pitch in Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in the fourth inning of a game against the Tigers on 3/2/23. The Baltimore Orioles lost to the Detroit Tigers, 10-3, in the Florida Grapefruit League matchup.
Jon Meoli: What does O’s struggle to fit Kyle Stowers in the majors mean for other prospects?
Kyle Stowers has proven all he needs to prove in Triple-A, yet the Orioles could only get him four at-bats and opted to send him down. With so many prospects already in Norfolk, how are the Orioles going to ensure they all continue to develop — and stay happy?
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cole Irvin (19) throws during the second inning of a game against the New York Yankees, Friday, April 7, 2023, in Baltimore.
Orioles starter Cole Irvin labors in home debut, a 4-1 loss to the Yankees
Irvin tied a career high with four walks in a laborious outing where he struggled to stay in the strike zone. The Orioles traded for him hoping he would get through five or six innings and take stress off the bullpen, but he's been unable to deliver so far.
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