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Good Morning Birdland,
Yesterday was one of those spring days where the Orioles were playing a game in one Florida town, while most of the news was happening back in Sarasota.
A split squad of O’s was sent to Fort Myers for a matchup with the Twins. It went well! A six-run first inning led the O’s to a 10-5 win. Leody Tavares went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base. Luis Vázquez had two hits, including a double, and a stolen base. Coby Mayo singled twice, scored once, and drove in a run. Jeremiah Jackson was 2-for-3 with two RBI, and a run.
On the mound, we got a look at Albert Suárez and Ryan Helsley, among others. Suárez started, tossed two innings, and allowed a run on three hits, a walk, and no strikeouts. Helsley worked one shutout inning.
It was a spring game, so take everything with a grain of salt. But they won, and it’s encouraging to see the second string hitters put together such a nice effort!
Back in Sarasota, Chris Bassitt threw his first live batting practice of the preseason. He faced Tyler O’Neill, Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward, Thairo Estrada, and his old friend Pete Alonso.
Apparently, Bassitt and Alonso have been close since they both played for the Mets back in 2022. The pitcher cited Alonso’s presence as one of the main reasons he chose to sign with the Orioles over other teams.
On Tuesday, they faced each other in the aforementioned live batting practice, and there was some kind-hearted trash talk to be heard. Alonso accused Bassitt of “ducking him” in order to face the left-handed Henderson instead. But Bassitt came out on top, inducing a grounder and a long fly out in the two times he did face Alonso on the day. Bassitt reported that he felt “really, really good” following the workout. We like to hear that!
The 37-year-old has also been serving in a mentorship role of sorts for some of the team’s young pitchers, like Cade Povich. The two have been playing catch and experimenting with grips. If you’re going to learn from someone, it makes sense to have it be a guy with 11 years of big league experience. He probably knows a thing or two.
The Orioles will host the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium today. That likely means that many of the “A squad” hitters will be back in the lineup, for at least a few innings. It’s tougher to say who exactly will pitch. First pitch is set for 1:05.
Links
‘I ain’t ducking’: Trash-talking Bassitt bests Alonso in first BP session | Orioles.com
More on the first live batting practice appearance for Bassitt. Although it seemed to go well, the veteran also said he doesn’t enjoy facing his own team’s hitters. It lacks the realism of a actual game, and he has to protect them to a degree, avoid pitching inside, etc. Fair enough. Still an important landmark in the ramp up to the season.
Ryan Helsley’s first Orioles spring training appearance featured a new pitch | The Baltimore Banner
Helsley has a splitter now. It sounds like the pitch was brought up during his recruitment process with the Orioles. The hope is that it will help him improve against left-handed hitters, who teed off on him with the Mets last year.
Because You Asked – Return to Silent Hill | Roch Kubatko
A whole lot of questions for Roch, some relevant and some about a Corvette he used to have. A few folks asked about Ryan Mountcastle, who Roch expects to be on the Opening Day roster. Let’s see what the bullpen looks like through the spring, and if any other hitters go down injured.
How did Eric Torres end up in Orioles camp a year after pitching in independent ball? Belief. | The Baltimore Banner
Baseball is unique to other sports in that you can get noticed in just about any professional or semi-professional league. Clubs are constantly scouring those places, both in the United States and elsewhere, for potential. Torres’ story is just the latest in that arena.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Dave Vineyard is 85 years old. His only MLB experience came in 1964, when he had a 4.17 ERA over 19 games for the O’s.
- The late Kevin Hickey (b. 1956, d. 2012) was born on this day. He spent parts of three seasons in the Orioles bullpen from 1989 through ‘91, accumulating a 4.52 ERA over 89.2 innings.
This day in O’s history
1975 – After a 14-year run with the team, the Orioles trade fan favorite first baseman Boog Powell, along with Don Hood, to Cleveland for catcher Dave Duncan and minor leaguer Alvin McGrew.
2002 – Former Orioles broadcaster Ernie Harwell announces that the upcoming season will be his last. Harwell spent 1954-59 calling Orioles games before moving on to Detroit for the majority of his career.