Severino wants to be primary catcher for Orioles; Scott focuses on control; Kremer makes pitch to impress

SARASOTA, Florida—A year ago, catcher Pedro Severino was in the Washington Nationals’ camp, trying to hang on. Near the end of spring training, the Orioles claimed Severino, who played 96 games and hit .249 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs.

He was especially strong in the first half, hitting .272 with nine home runs and 25 RBIs with an .818 OPS.

This spring, he’s getting to work with a lot of young pitchers and he’s impressed.

“We have a lot of talent here,” Severino said. “We’ve got a lot of talent, and if they do the job, they’ll make the club. Young guys need experience.”

Severino caught more games than any other Orioles catcher in 2019, and he’d like to do it again in 2020.

“I see Severino as a guy that’s going to get a lot of playing time and a lot of innings behind the plate,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Whether he’s starting Opening Day or not, I haven’t decided that, but that guy’s going to get a lot of starts this year.”

Severino, Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns are the Orioles’ three catchers on the 40-man roster. Martin Cervenka, Taylor Davis, Bryan Holaday and Adley Rutschman are the other catchers in camp.

“I don’t know yet because they don’t tell anybody,” Severino said about being the primary catcher. “Everybody here has to show they’re ready to be a starting player.”

Severino came to the Orioles with a .187 average in 105 games in parts of four seasons.

“My mentality was, show everybody I can hit in the big leagues,” Severino said. “That was the question, ‘Can I hit in the big leagues?’ That was my goal.”

Scott trying to stick: Promising left-handed relief pitcher Tanner Scott wants to make an impression, too.

Last season, Scott was 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA in 28 games with the Orioles. His biggest issue was control. Scott walked 19 batters in 26 1/3 innings. He struck out 12.6 batters per nine innings.

“Everyone knows I walk too many people, so I’m definitely trying to cut down on the walks and attack hitters,” Scott said. “No one gets on base, it’s a lot easier.”

In parts of three seasons with the Orioles, Scott  has a 5.31 ERA in 83 games. He knows where he needs to improve.

“I mean, yeah, you have to because you’ve got to know what you’ve got to work on,” Scott said. “You’ve got to move and build on it and know what you’ve got to do better and move on from there. You reflect, then you go out there and try to better yourself.”

Scott thinks he knows what’s wrong.

“It’s definitely not mechanical,” Scott said. “I’d say more attitude, and I guess confidence.”

Scott is troubled that he still is described as a pitcher with potential.

“It’s frustrating. It would be nice to just go out there and be perfect every time, but no one’s perfect,” Scott said. “The goal is to be consistent. I mean, that’s the name of the game. That’s the goal.”

Kremer’s first trip to the 40-man: In 2019, Dean Kremer was in his first Orioles’ spring training, but an oblique muscle injury slowed him.

Kremer started the season late because of the oblique and pitched in 21 games for High-A Frederick, Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. He was 9-6 with a 3.72 ERA.

“It definitely had its ups and downs,” Kremer said of last season. “For the most part, I think it was rather successful, getting to dip my toe in the water at Triple-A. It was a good season overall.”

Kremer came to the Orioles from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in July 2018 in the Manny Machado trade. Infielder Rylan Bannon and outfielder Yusniel Diaz, who came long with Kremer, are also in camp.

If the 24-year-old right-hander pitches well, he could pitch for the Orioles later this season.

“I hope so,” Kremer said. “I’m going to do my best to try and force their hand, Again, it’s not up to me. It’s up to the front office.”

Kremer is eager to pitch in front of Hyde.

“To show that I can pitch at this level and try and stick,” he said.

Kremer knows there are things he needs to work on.

“Command the ball with all my pitches, put the ball where I want with all of them and show that I can increase velo as well,” Kremer said.