What’s happening? –Thomas Eshelman will start the Grapefruit League opener for the Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida.
Manager Brandon Hyde said that Matt Harvey and Félix Hernández will pitch next week. They’ll throw batting practice in the next few days.
“They’re on track to have a full spring,” Hyde said.
Yolmer Sánchez, who was claimed on waivers by the Orioles from the Chicago White Sox and is likely to start at second base on Opening Day, doesn’t view his new team as one that is rebuilding.
“For the players, you don’t think in that way,” Sánchez said. “You don’t think, ‘we’re a rebuilding team.’ As a player you go out every day and do your best and try to win every game … you don’t think, ‘we’re a rebuilding team, maybe we’re going to lose today.’”
With the White Sox, Sánchez played for Rick Renteria, who called him one of his favorite players. Hyde coached for Renteria with the Cubs in 2014.
“That says a lot coming from Rick, how much respect I have for him, and how long he’s been in the game,” Hyde said. “I can see why. Yolmer’s high energy on the field, and he’s funny. He’s going to make the routine play. He’s always going to be engaged defensively. He’s a great guy to be around, and he’s fun. I can see why Ricky said that about him.”
What’s happened?— Hyde said that following the Covid-19 protocols in 2021 should be easier since the Orioles followed the rules in 2020.
“Last summer was a trail run for this spring training,” he said. “It’s pretty much the same protocols. We’re staying apart. We’re wearing masks on the field.
“We’re wearing masks inside. We’ve had to change our daily schedule and not have too many people at one time. We can’t meet in the clubhouse, all the things that we were doing last summer have carried over to this spring. It’s nothing new, what we’re doing right now because we did do it before. That being said, it doesn’t make it easy, or that we’re enjoying it. We’re looking forward to the day when it is back to normal.”
Hyde said that Rule 5 pitchers Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells threw well in live batting practice.
“I think there’s going to be some tough decisions down the stretch, and that’s what we’re looking for,” Hyde said.
The Orioles are likely to play some ‘B’ and intrasquad games in the mornings next week.
Former Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph has signed a split major league/minor league contract with the New York Mets.
What’s up with? Ashton Goudeau was claimed on waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the 6-foot-6 right-hander is being considered as a starter, Hyde said.
Goudeau, 28, pitched four games in relief for the Colorado Rockies in 2020. In 2019, he was a starter for Double-A Hartford.
“We’re going to stretch him out,” Hyde said. “We’re going to take a long look at him. He threw two innings … live BP [Thursday], start of a progression to get him more innings to lengthen him out a little bit. We’re going to take a look at him as a starter. We like his arm. We like his size. He threw really well today. He’s going to be part of getting bulk innings here in camp.”
What’s what? Sánchez is from Venezuela and is concerned about its political situation.
“You don’t want to see your country in a bad situation,” he said. “I have my whole family over there, my brothers and my dad and my mom. I have a couple of cousins who left the country, but pretty much my whole family is in Venezuela.
“Sometimes, you don’t try to think about it, but your family … you’re always going to try to help them. Sometimes, it’s hard.”
What’s the word? “Player-to-player coaching sometimes is the best of any because it can really hit home when one of your peers is giving you tips or just talking through situations.”-Hyde on infielders Freddy Galvis and Yolmer Sánchez making suggestions to their teammates.
What’s the number? 10. Sánchez was tied for the American League lead with 10 triples in 2018. Sánchez also had 34 doubles and 55 RBIs.
“I can do better than that,” Sánchez said.
Mike Devereaux holds the Orioles’ record for most triples in a season with 11 in 1992.
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I don't know what it is but Eshelman seems to get more mention than any Oriole. He's the one that keeps getting pushed away but keeps coming back. Good luck to him. Hey he's even got as good a chance as anybody to make this staff. Sanchez hopefully is a good,much needed defensive upgrade. I just hope they don't get fancy and start tinkering/over thinking and have a rotating infield with the ensuing sloppiness.
It’s going to be an exciting year for the Os. It will be interesting once they start playing some spring training games to see where everyone’s at and how they’re doing. Tough choices is always a good sign.
There has been talk the last week about Jones potential, maybe the next Brian Roberts, then this article makes it sound like Sanchez is the man, I agree w/Orial, stop moving people around & make commitments to positions, hard to get better at a certain position when you’re moved the next day...go O’s...
Rich ... you've been a very busy man. How many articles a day can one man produce? Outstanding ... Much appreciated reading.
Buuuuuutttttt.... for those of us hoping Yolmer transforms himself in to Brain Roberts this year .... bwahahaahaaaa.
I can only hope that Jones is given every opportunity to win the 2nd base job, because if we're looking at Galvis & Sanchez in the middle with Rio at 3rd. Defense/shmeefense ... This needs to be fixed Mr. Elias. This is the best your could do for 2021? But then again, I suspect all 3 will be gone in 2022 ... 'cause you do have a keen eye for talent and already realize these guys stink, don't you? So I ask .. why are they all on the team?
Yolmer won a gold glove 2 seasons ago. So that’s defense shmeefense in your eyes?
I was aware ... but I meant who cares .... BFD with his gold glove. Management talking about the defense of these guys are a smokescreen for just how less-than-mediocre they are.
BRR: To answer your question: they and the pitching gems that we have amassed are part of a long-term rebuild strategy that is too esoteric for us amateurs to understand and appreciate. Also, these guys come cheap. Be content that Hyde sees "some tough decisions down the stretch."
I'm beginning to like you.
I don’t see Galvis and Sanchez as anything more than a placeholder just like Iglesias was last year. Once the front office deems Jones, Bannon, Hall, or some other prospect ready.
Oh no doubt they're placeholders. God forbid they hit .370 like Iglesias did. They'll be jettisoned before the all star game.
Over his 10 years in the big leagues, Iglesias is a career .278 hitter. He had 142 at bats last year and was awesome during that but it wasn’t sustainable had it been over the course of a full season.
Yeah and that .278 is 30 points higher than either of the 2 new scrub infielders. So let's cut the guys that play the best .. is that in the Elias long term plan?
Ain't the kool-aid cold today!
BRR, Are you suggesting that there really is an Elias Long Term Plan? (Seeking to set record lows for MLB team payrolls does not count as a strategy.)
So how low can you go? $15 an hour?
Eshelman, didn't the O's DFA this guy? What, he couldn't find another job so he decided to come back to the O's? Wow, if there was a "Waiver Wire Baseball League" the O's would sure be the odds on favorite to win the pennant. Question to Rich and all the posters: Which "Waiver Wire Stiffs" will the O's finally end up with at 2nd, SS, and 3rd? Don't forget, IMHO waiver wire means NOT TRADEABLE.
So I just saw these comments from Davis:
Davis: "I feel like I have done substantial work to really step outside of my comfort zone and change some things. Mechanically, physically change some things about how I’m approaching my at-bats. “It’s going to be weird, it’s going to be uncomfortable, but I think it’s overdue"
I think it’s overdue?!?! Whatever made you think that Chris? When I think of something being “overdue” I think of returning a book a couple days late to the library. I don’t think of a professional athlete waiting FIVE YEARS after signing a seven year contract.
DLG: Cut CD some slack on his newfound efforts to step outside his comfort zone. Deciding where to invest his huge salary checks is a very time-consuming and energy-draining job.
WorldlyView, I apologize. What was I I thinking to take that as a baseball related comment.
Rooting for you Ashton Goudeau. Crack the sky, from the mound
I know that Elias and Hyde do not know me Rich but could you possibly put a bug in their ear that I think Adam Hall might be a solution for third, second and yes even short. This kid appears to have all the tools and might help even as a bench player. We hear so little about him, yet he was a high draft pick. thanks Richkeep the faith
I know that Elias and Hyde do not know me Rich but could you possibly put a bug in their ear that I think Adam Hall might be a solution for third, second and yes even short. This kid appears to have all the tools and might help even as a bench player. We hear so little about him, yet he was a high draft pick. thanks Rich keep the faith