Hyde on early arrivals; Elias on Santander; Carlson on joining Orioles

SARASOTA–What’s happening? –Nearly all the position players have reported to camp. The report date for infielders and outfielders isn’t until Monday, but the only players of note who haven’t been spotted are first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and newly signed outfielder Ramón Laureano.

“I’ve been really impressed with the shape that these guys have come in and how eager they are to get started,” manager Brandon Hyde said Friday. “They’re all ready to go. They’re really eager for it to start, so I’m really encouraged by how everybody’s come into camp.”

The Orioles are waiting on Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, who should be here over the Presidents Day weekend.

What’s happened? Hyde and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias joined other managers and general managers who train in the central and western parts of Florida at MLB Media Day in Bradenton.

Elias was questioned about Anthony Santander, who signed last month with the Toronto Blue Jays after hitting 44 home runs last year for the Orioles. The 30-year-old was with the Orioles for eight years.

“When I came in at the end of the 2018, his stats weren’t great at Triple-A. I remember looking at it, and I was like, ‘Who is this guy?’” Elias said. “People that were there before really vouched for him to me. He came into camp and really made an impression on Hyde.”

Santander, who had been a Rule 5 draft pick, joined the Orioles to stay in early June 2019.

“He was an enormous figure for us in restoring the franchise, tremendous guy, switch-hitter,” Elias said. “He certainly was a big part of our franchise. It’s going to be tough playing against him in the American League East. Other than that, we wish him well.”

The Orioles play the Blue Jays in Sarasota on February 27^th. Traditionally, the biggest Toronto names don’t make the 90-minute trip to Dunedin but perhaps he will. The Orioles play in Dunedin on March 13^th and open the regular season at Rogers Centre on March 27^th.

What’s up with? Dylan Carlson signed a one-year, $975,000 contract with the Orioles on January 27^th. Carlson is a switch-hitter, plays all three outfield positions, and has three options remaining, which is a positive since he might have a hard time making the club.

“I think the main thing I bring is some versatility, some experience,” Carlson said.

Carlson played from 2020-2024 with St. Louis and was traded to Tampa Bay. He hit a combined .209 last year with three home runs and 25 RBIs. In 2021. Carlson hit .266 with a .780 OPS, 18 home runs and 65 RBIs, finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

“I’ve had some injuries, unfortunate timing, different things like that,” Carlson said. “It’s just a game of adjustments and something you learn. You’ve got to learn how to evolve and learn how the league is attacking you and attack them back.”

Carlson is one of three free-agent outfielders signed by the Orioles, along with Laureano and Tyler O’Neill,

“They brought us all in for a reason,” Carlson said. “They feel we can help this team. I’m confident that I can help this team in several ways. That’s a decision for them, but all we can do is go out there and control what we can control, put out our best foot every night.”

What’s what? Hyde is intrigued about some of the Orioles’ younger players who haven’t been in a major league spring training. Outfielders Dylan Beavers, Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Jud Fabian are in their first major league camp. Catcher Samuel Basallo, who was restricted to DH duties last spring training because of an arm injury, is also here.

“It was fun to watch Bradfield swing the bat and do outfield stuff in the hitters’ camp,” Hyde said. “Dylan Beavers, Basallo. We didn’t get to see much of Basallo last year in camp because he was hurt the majority of the time. It’s impressive how the ball comes off his bat.”

What’s the word? “Playing against this organization, seeing it from the outside, it always looked like a place with good vibes, a lot of talent, just a team that was emerging.”-Carlson on why he signed with the Orioles

What’s the number? 19 Sugano will wear No. 19. Koji Uehara, the first Orioles’ Japanese player, who pitched for them from 2009-2011, also wore No. 19.