Will a player ever hit The Warehouse at Oriole Park? | MAILBAG

Question: Do you think we will see a player hit The Warehouse in a regular-season game? Do you think any player will hit the upper deck in left field?I was there when Juan Gonzálee hit the facade of the upper deck. I believe it was measured at 473 feet. Ken Griffey hit The Warehouse at 460 feet. This was at the 1993 home run contest. From: Greg Haynes 

Answer: Greg, I remember when the Orioles moved to Camden Yards, and there was a lot of speculation about who would be the first player to hit The Warehouse. The popular guess was Sam Horn. Well, 34 years later, we’re still waiting.

I was there for the Home Run Derby in 1993, and Griffey’s ball hit The Warehouse, but that wasn’t in a regular season game.

Players are bigger and stronger, and even though there are only a handful of balls that reach Eutaw Street each season, I’ll guess that someone will hit The Warehouse in a regular-season game at some point. I think it’s more likely that there will be a Warehouse shot than one that reaches the upper deck in left field.

When the All-Star game returns, which I’ll guess will be in 2029 or 2030, perhaps we’ll see some very long shots. 

Question: What is the Orioles’ continuing obligation to a pitcher who becomes a free agent shortly after a major surgery? Salary? Rehab costs? For how long? From: Mark Eisner

Answer: Mark, you’re referring to Keegan Akin, who had Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and will become a free agent after the season.

Akin, like all players on the injured list, is paid his full salary this season. Unless he’s signed by the Orioles or another team in the offseason, which seems unlikely, he won’t be paid until he signs a contract for 2027 and/or 2028.

The Orioles are responsible for his rehab costs. Generally pitchers take 12 to 15 months to rehab, so they’ll pay until then.

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.