SARASOTA—What’s happening? In his final start before Opening Day, Trevor Rogers allowed two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings and Samuel Basallo hit two long home runs in the Orioles’ 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 5,734 at Ed Smith Stadium on Thursday night.
Rogers, who threw 82 pitches, struck out seven without walking a batter. He’s set to start on March 26th against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park.
“It was a great camp for Trevor,” manager Craig Albernaz said.
Basallo homered in the first and hit a two-run homer in the third. Jhonkensy Noel hit a two-run home run against former Oriole left-hander Gregory Soto in the second.
The third annual Spring Breakout game between the top prospects of the Orioles and Boston Red Sox will be played on Friday night at 6:05.
Trey Gibson, the team’s No. 5 prospect and last season’s organizational minor league pitcher of the year, will start for the Orioles.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity,” Gibson said. “I think it shows a lot that the guys in the front office and the coaching staff, they “believe in me and trust in me for this.”
Gibson has been with the major league team throughout spring training.
“It’s been amazing. A ton of great experiences with these guys in the clubhouse, definitely learned a lot. It’s been special being in this clubhouse with these guys and all the experience they have.”
Gibson has allowed five runs on six hits in 9 2/3 innings for a 4.66 ERA and is feeling closer to the major leagues.
“One hundred percent, being in the big league clubhouse with all these guys, it definitely feels like it.”
What happened? Rogers, who had a delayed start to last season because of a knee injury, was pleased to make each of five starts, including one against Team Netherlands.
“People don’t realize how huge that is.”
Rogers will rest six days and start against the Twins, who’ve yet to name their starter.
“Now, I’ve got two extra days to recover to get going for the games that matter,” Rogers said. “I’m ready. Spins were a big point of emphasis this outing and really pleased with how both of my spins played today. A lot of weak contact out in front, a lot of swings-and-misses.”
Basallo said Rogers looks the part of an Opening Day starter.
“I think every time he steps up to the mound he looks incredible. I think he looks just as good as last year, if not better,” he said through a team translator.
Basallo has a .375 average and 1.225 OPS in Grapefruit League games.
“Feeling ready, feeling confident,” Basallo said. “That was one of the biggest things that I lacked last year Coming into this season, I feel really confident, ready to go.”
The 21-year-old switch-hitter hit both of his home runs left-handed.
“I’m pretty big, so any time I put the ball in play, I think I hit it pretty hard,” said the 6-foor-4 Basallo. “It’s not that I’m trying to go up there and hit like a crazy chicken and go crazy in the batter’s box. Just trying to stay focused in my approach and put up a good at-bat.”
Keegan Akin, Ryan Helsley, Grant Wolfram and Jackson Kowar combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and a walk. The Orioles struck out 13.
What happened against the Yankees? Gunnar Henderson returned from the World Baseball Classic and was 1-for-3 as the Orioles lost to the New York Yankees, 5-4, on Thursday afternoon before 8,682 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in the other split-squad game.
Coby Mayo had a two-run home run against Max Fried.
Dean Kremer, in his first start since pitching for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, allowed one run on two hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out eight.
“He looked great. There was a stretch there in a couple of innings where he got into a lot of three-ball counts,” Albernaz said. “He did a great job of limiting the damage and being efficient after that.”
What’s up with Jackson Kowar? The 29-year-old right-hander is in competition for one of the final bullpen spots and pitched the ninth inning, allowing a hit and a walk with one strikeout. Kowar has a 1.80 ERA.
He’s been thinking about whether he’ll come north with the team.
“I think we would all be lying if we said no, but I do think for most of the guys in here, we’ve all been through it,” Kowar said. “We’re all aware of the situation. There are a certain amount of spots, and that’s going to be it. I think as you get older, you’re able to separate that, separate the work … You get used to it.”
Kowar is pleased with how his spring has gone.
“I think I can certainly clean up some things,” he said. “It’s also still spring and the sample size is somewhat limited, be in the zone slightly more. My first-pitch strikes are really high.
“I think putting guys away and getting a little more chase-and-miss. I’ve been a little too big with misses on two strikes. Stuff’s coming out great, body feels great and I feel really happy with the way I’ve competed.”
What’s what? Usually, regular players are used in the home half of a split-squad, but the Orioles used nearly all their regulars against Max Fried and the Yankees at Tampa.
What’s the word? “Availability is the best ability. That’s something I try to preach on. If I can take the ball every five to six days, that’s huge.”–Rogers on being able to pitch throughout the spring.
What’s the number? 20/2. Including the game against Team Netherlands, Rogers struck out 20 batters this spring while walking just two.
What’s the record? 10-12-3. The Orioles will play the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field at Tampa at 6:35 p.m. Zach Eflin will start against Luis Gil. Eflin has thrown just two Grapefruit League innings.
Brett Hollander will broadcast the game on WBAL/98 Rock.
Oriole prospects will play Red Sox prospects in the Spring Breakout game at 6:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Trey Gibson will start for the Oriole prospects.
Ben Wagner and Ryan Ripken will call Spring Breakout on MASN.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]