Jon Meoli: The Orioles’ infielders are trying to prove they’re not placeholders, and propelling the team’s winning start
There’s been so much focus on the Orioles’ young core and yet-to-arrive prospects. But a group of veteran infielders already in place has helped carry the team so far.
Jon Meoli: We don’t know much about this Orioles team, really, except that they are worth watching every night. Finally.
Even if the method they used to get here led to those miserable lean rebuild seasons, and the relative inactivity of this winter had the power to push attention elsewhere, all anyone has really wanted was a good team on the field that made showing up or tuning in every night worth it.
Jon Meoli: The best- and worst-case scenarios for the Orioles’ most important players
There’s a wide range of possibilities for how this year will go for both established players and prospects. These are the benchmarks to look for as the season unfurls and you attempt to evaluate the progress of the rebuild that is trying to prove it is no longer a rebuild.
Swing school: How Orioles prospect Dylan Beavers used biomechanic study, a rolling stool and a hurdle to accelerate his swing changes
Dylan Beavers, the Orioles’ No. 11 prospect according to Baseball America, came to the Orioles knowing that a rather unorthodox swing had taken him far but that adjustments would be required to reach the majors.
Jon Meoli: It took time, but Orioles players are buying into a new approach at the plate
Built through discipline and tougher batting practice sessions, more Orioles are trusting a program introduced by the team’s hitting instructors that emphasizes forcing pitchers to throw more strikes.
Jon Meoli: The Orioles’ season-opening win showed a full view of what they could be
They'll remember the win, most of all, but the Orioles have plenty to take from opening day. The positives: A potent, patient offense powered by speedy, daring runners. The negatives: Questions about the defense and relief pitching, which were solid on the way to 2022's surprising season.
Jon Meoli: Outsized or not, it’s time for the Orioles to meet their own expectations and push for the playoffs
The Orioles’ rebuild is over. It truly is supposed to be “liftoff” now. Maybe. Because it’s not like the front office spent to upgrade, or used prospects to trade for established talent. All of which makes it almost impossible to predict how good this O’s team should be.
Jon Meoli: The Orioles put Grayson Rodriguez’s fate in his hands. Their decision, and the fallout, is squarely on them.
Any frustration anyone feels about Rodriguez not being on the opening day roster has nothing to do with the reason given, which was that he isn’t good enough right now. It has everything to do with how the Orioles under Mike Elias have operated.
Jon Meoli: A new home for in-depth analysis of the Orioles’ rebuild — and everything after
Meoli covered the Orioles from 2016-2021, the launched a newsletter with the mission to write about the players, processes, philosophies and anything else that can help make the Orioles good again. Now, he’s bringing his insights and reporting to The Baltimore Banner.