Carlson, Machin make strong impression on Orioles

SARASOTA—Two of the best players this spring training for the Orioles might not make the Opening Day roster. Outfielder Dylan Carlson, who was signed to a contract in late January, is hitting .320 with two home runs, eight RBIs and a 1.059 OPS. Infielder Vimael Machin, who signed in November, has a .421 average with a homer, nine RBIs and a 1.042 OPS.

“They’ve done a great job, both those guys,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Love the versatility in both of them, too. They’ve put themselves in position, if they don’t make the club, to be depth pieces for us as we know we’re not going to use 26 players this year, but a lot more than that … If you gave a good showing in front of the front office, the coaching staff, that’s very, very important.”

Carlson, who has options remaining, might be blocked by Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, Ramón Laureano, Cedric Mullins and Tyler O’Neill, but he’s a good depth piece, can switch-hit and play each of the three outfield positions.

“Ultimately, all you can control is what you do out there,” Carlson said. “That’s my main focus. A lot of talented guys, a lot of great players, a lot of great player. It’s been a pleasure working with all them.”

In 2021, the 26-year-old Carlson hit .266 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs for the St. Louis Cardinals, finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

“Dylan’s hit in the middle of the order on a playoff team,” Hyde said. “He’s had a down couple of years.”

Last year, Carlson hit a combined .209 for the Cardinals and Tampa Bay.

“The first healthy offseason in a while,” Carlson said. “Swings been feeling pretty good. Working with the group in there, I liked how transparent and clear and how thoughtful I guess everything’s been. I like how I feeling right now, and just try to continue that momentum and keep that feeling.”

Hyde has seen the best version of Carlson this spring.

“He really understands the strike zone. He’s taken great at-bats,” Hyde said.

Machin is a left-handed hitter who hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2022, can play all four infield positions, though he hasn’t appeared at shortstop this spring.

“The opportunity that the Orioles gave me, man that’s something that I keep saying: ‘Every time I wake up, I’m grateful to God and the Orioles,’” Machin said. “After being in Mexico for almost two years, them letting me have playing time and show them that I’m a different player, different hitter is something I’m grateful for every day.”

The 31-year-old Machin had a .208 average in 112 games with Oakland from 2020-2022.

“Machin does what he did last night. He comes off the bench and hits a double. I feel like if he starts, he gets two or three hits,” Hyde said.

Machin was in the Chicago Cubs organization when Hyde was a coach there, and after hitting .235 for Triple-A Lehigh Valley with Philadelphia, he found work only in Mexico. Last year, he hit .401 with a 1.073 OPS.

The Orioles are stocked with veteran infielders. Liván Soto and Luis Vázquez, who like Machin aren’t on the 40-man roster, have impressed Hyde enough so that they could get a roster spot if shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Jorge Mateo aren’t ready to start the season.

“It’s their decision, and I respect that,” Machin said. “If it’s the big leagues or Triple-A, being here in the States, something that I always wanted after being in Mexico … It’s part of the business. They have a group of people ot there. They know what they wanted to do. I’ll live with it and keep on doing my job back there.”

Players often speculate about front office moves that might involve their futures. They’ll say they don’t want to play general manager. Carlson acknowledges the trickiness of his position.

“I’ve been around a little bit. We can add it up and stuff,” he said. “Obviously, you try to play GM, you lose your mind a little bit, so, ultimately, I just try to control playing the game, what I produce out there on the field, and give myself the best chance, whatever that may be.”

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