When and if the season begins, the Orioles will have to reduce from their current roster of 50 to an undetermined number. Teams could begin the season with 29 or perhaps 30 players, so let’s see who has a good shot to be on the roster.
This was supposed to be the first season of the 26-man roster with a limit of 13 pitchers, and there would be even more allowed on an expanded roster.
Pitchers
Sure things (starters): John Means, Alex Cobb, Asher Wojciechowski and Wade LeBlanc
Sure thing (relievers): Shawn Armstrong, Richard Bleier, Miguel Castro, Paul Fry, Mychal Givens, Hunter Harvey
In the running (starters): Tommy Milone, Kohl Stewart
In the running (relievers): Cody Carroll, Paul Hanhold, Branden Kline, Travis Lakins, Tanner Scott, Cole Sulser, Dillon Tate, Hector Velázquez
Long shots: Ty Blach, Thomas Eshelman, Chandler Shepherd, Rob Zastryzny, Bruce Zimmermann
Summing it up: Means was on track to be the Opening Day starter with Cobb, Wojciechowski and LeBlanc following.
Milone was in the lead for the fifth starter position, but Stewart had a late start because of biceps soreness.
The six incumbent relievers seem secure, and in the days before spring training abruptly ended, manager Brandon Hyde had said complimentary things about Carroll and Hanhold.
Hanhold and Kline aren’t on the 40-man roster, and Velázquez hadn’t pitched for the team since he was acquired four days before the end of camp.
Zimmermann was going to start on March 12 when the game was canceled.
Catchers
Sure thing: Pedro Severino
In the running: Bryan Holaday, Chance Sisco, Austin Wynns
Long shot: Taylor Davis
Summing it up: Severino was last year’s incumbent, and nothing happened in the month in Sarasota to make anyone believe otherwise.
Sisco didn’t hit well and was hampered with a sore right hand. Holaday, who’s not on the 40-man roster, is an ideal backup. He has eight years of experience but has never been a regular. Sisco’s advantage is that he’s left-handed. Wynns is a dependable backup.
Infielders
Sure things: Hanser Alberto, Chris Davis, José Iglesias, Renato Nunez, Rio Ruiz
In the running: Richie Martin, Andrew Velázquez, Pat Valaika, Stevie Wilkerson
Long shots: Dilson Herrera, José Rondon, Richard Urena
Summing it up: Martin has played some second as well as shortstop in camp, but he was likely to begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk. Velázquez impressed with his speed and versatility. He can serve as a backup centerfielder. Valaika showed an impressive bat. Count Wilkerson out at your own risk. He can play every infield and outfield position.
Valaika and Wilkerson would have to be added to the 40-man.
Outfielders
Sure things: Austin Hays, Anthony Santander, Dwight Smith Jr.
In the running: Wilkerson, DJ Stewart, Mason Williams
Long shot: Yusniel Diaz
Summing it up: Stewart had yet to play when camp ended because he was still rehabbing his surgically repaired right ankle, but when the Orioles reconvene, he should be a full-go. Williams can play all three outfield positions. Diaz was still in camp because he got a late start because of a shoulder injury, and the Orioles wanted to see some more at-bats from him.
To be determined: Trey Mancini, Evan Phillips
Summing it up: Mancini had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his colon on March 12. His treatment schedule and when he’ll be cleared for baseball activities isn’t known.
Phillips has rested his sore right elbow for an extended time.
Mancini and Phillips would have begun the season on the injured list.
Ed Farmer dies: Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ed Farmer died Wednesday night at 70. Farmer, who called White Sox games on radio for 30 years, had an 11-year major league career as a pitcher, including one game with the Orioles in 1977.
Farmer also scouted for the Orioles and Ben McDonald, the overall No. 1 pick in 1989, credited Farmer with drafting him on Twitter.
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I know we’ve said this, but it would be great if spots were earned...I’d like to see Mason get a shot...go O’s...
I agree about earning your spot, however when a team commits to a player, he's got to be ridden a bit even if he falters. I'm thinking of Sisco here. He's only got 345 MLB at bats. If ever were the time, this is the season that you put him behind that plate for a majority of the games and let him play.
Agree, the couple of times they tried, they quickly sent them backdown because they weren’t ready...go O’s..
It's not a sure thing that baseball will be played in 2020.
I see almost an entire roster of minor leaguers but no mention of RYAN MOUNTCASTLE. International league MVP 2019, but not good enough to be mentioned with Elias's STIFFS? Why is that? Oh, I forgot, the all-important "REBUILD" that, I guess, is cancelled along with the seaon. Did they finally cut David Hess loose? I see no mention.
Mountcastle, Hess, Cedric Mullins and Ramon Urias were optioned to Norfolk late last month, Norm.
We’re beating a dead horse, Elias is trying to save a few bucks, I’m with you Norm, that’s what concerns me about Adley, he sees exactly how they’re treating Mountcastle...oh well...go O’s...
How are the Orioles saving money? Mountcastle is making the league minimum. He would be replaced by someone making equal or more money. Besides, the money isn’t Elias’s, it’s the Angelos family
Ultimate dollars in service time...semantics, maybe your drinking the fabled orange kool aid...lol...go O’s...
Barring an injury, Chance Sisco should be a lock for this team.
Would love to see Sisco hit this stride and fulfill his potential as a second round pick. He hit for high BA through the minors until 2017. The time he spent in AAA last year he hit .292 with 10 HRs in 168 ABs. Not bad! I think he just needs consistent ABs in the majors to make the transition. Overall, the team defense and bullpen are going to be vastly improved. If the starters can stay healthy, they will probably be better as well. It’s a much better team, but will carry some placeholders for the rest of this year.
Whatever happened to Jesus Sucre?Is he still in the organization?
Sucre is not in the organization and is a free agent.
Dwight Smith Jr. sure thing lol