Will Orioles recall Johnathan Rodriguez or Encarnacion-Strand? | MAILBAG

Question: Do you think the Orioles will consider Johnathan Rodríguez or Christian Encarnacion-Strand for a promotion? From: Alan Reister

Answer: Alan, if there’s a need, I think that Rodriguez or Encarnacion-Strand will be considered. While their numbers at Norfolk have been strong, the difference between Triple-A pitching and major league pitching is enormous, possibly the largest ever.

Rodriguez was up with the Orioles earlier in the season, but Encarnacion-Strand, who has major league experience with Cincinnati, hasn’t been.

There aren’t many really good pitchers in Triple-A, and when  you’re looking at International League stats, please take that into consideration.

Question: As we’re all aware, one of Mike Elias’s biggest mistakes was not to select pitchers earlier in the 2019-2024 amateur drafts. This would have allowed these pitchers to hopefully become established major leaguers, coinciding with the team’s competitive window involving its core position players.  Mets pitcher Nolan McLean, a third-round selection by the Orioles in the 2022 draft, certainly would have contributed greatly to our staff.  Rich, do you have any information on why McLean didn’t sign with the Orioles? From: Craig Russell

Answer: Craig, I believe there are two reasons. One was that the Orioles had injury concerns about McLean, and that he wanted to remain a two-way player. The Orioles wanted him to concentrate on pitching, which he has done with the Mets.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.