Hyde on Orioles’ playing ‘small ball,’ Grapefruit League outlook; 1st impression of Sánchez

SARASOTA—The Orioles didn’t play much “small ball” last season. They were tied for 28^th in sacrifice bunts with just six. Only the Detroit Tigers, with four, had fewer.

Expect more small ball from the Orioles in 2025.

“I think we were leading the league in runs scored the first half,” manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday. “The second half we weren’t as good offensively. Missing a couple of guys impacted that. If a sac situation late in the game presents itself, it is something we’ll continue to do. I’d like to see us bunt for a hit a little bit more. I’d like to see us running a little bit more. A lot of it is personnel-drive as well.”

The Orioles bunted for a hit just six times in 2024, tied for 23^rd in baseball. Cedric Mullins had three of the six hits. Their 98 stolen bases, 16 fewer than in 2023, were tied for 19^th.

The Orioles didn’t run as much, in part, because Jorge Mateo missed nearly half the season with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

Hyde hopes that Colton Cowser, who stole nine bases in 13 attempts, and Jackson Holliday, who was successful in each of his four attempts, will be more aggressive.

“It’s going to be an emphasis in this camp, let’s get them more comfortable on the bases and working on their jumps in games and getting them more aggressive,” Hyde said. “I think as a young player, you don’t want to make a mistake and so playing on the conservative side is more natural and more normal, especially when you’re playing close games, trying to win every game. It’s harder on a good team that’s trying to get to the postseason than it is with our teams in ’19, ’20 and ’21 where we could run just to be aggressive.

“When the game matters a little bit more, and it’s later in the game, especially young guys sometimes get a little cautious. We’re trying to work on it a lot this spring training and free those guys up.”

Grapefruit League games

The Orioles’ first Grapefruit League game will be on Saturday when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:05 at Ed Smith Stadium. Hyde said he’ll reveal Saturday’s starter on Thursday.

“I don’t think we’re going to judge our spring training on wins and losses,” Hyde said. “I think we just want to play good baseball. The last four innings are just a crapshoot, and there are a lot of guys that aren’t going to be on your team or the other team. First couple of weeks guys are trying to get their legs under them, get in game shape, so wins and losses are on the lower end of the priority list.”

The Orioles play the Pirates in seven of their 30 spring training games. LECOM Park in Bradenton is just 10 miles from Ed Smith Stadium.

The Orioles will play Atlanta, whose home field, Cool Today Park, is 25 miles away in North Port three times.They won’t travel to the Tampa Bay Rays’ home stadium, Charlotte Sports Park, 32 miles away this spring. The Rays play at Sarasota only once.

Hyde on Sánchez, personal catchers

Tomoyuki Sugano threw to Gary Sánchez in his first bullpen session on Tuesday, but Hyde wouldn’t commit to having Sánchez work with him exclusively despite his experience with catching Japanese pitchers. Adley Rutschman will get opportunities to work with Sugano as well.

“He’s going to throw to both guys in camp,” Hyde said. “We’re not going to be specific on who catches Sugano, as of right now. Both guys are going to catch him, just like every other starter.”

Hyde has liked what he’s seen of Sánchez, who signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Orioles in December. Hyde was familiar with him because he played for the New York Yankees during Hyde’s first three years as Orioles manager, 2019-2021.

“Gary’s a pro,” Hyde said. “He’s all about winning. He’s all about helping the team. He has hurt us quite a bit since I’ve been here, and I told him that. I said,’ I didn’t appreciate that at all.’

“You talk to the people that have had Gary. There’s a lot of people that say he’s an incredible teammate and he’s shown that so far. I’m super excited to have him.”

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.