Good morning Birdland,
Yesterday was a good one to be an Orioles fan. The team won their third in a row, came within two games of the final wild card spot, and selected several young players that they seem very excited about.
Of course, every team likes their draft picks, or else they wouldn’t have selected them in the first place. But the Orioles did seem to get solid value. They also mixed ages and positions well, which is something they haven’t always done in the draft. They have a bunch more picks to make
today, though they may not be as initially exciting as the guys they have already added. But oftentimes it is these later picks that make for a better quality draft overall.
On the field, the Orioles turned in one of their most definitive wins of the season. Kyle Bradish dominated on the mound, even without his best stuff. And the offense launched four home runs, scoring five of their six total runs on long balls.
Despite what has been an up-and-down first half for the Orioles, they still find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt. And you can make a pretty easy argument that, on the whole, they have underperformed and should have their best baseball ahead of them.
Is that reason enough for Mike Elias and the front office to go all in at the trade deadline and supplement this squad with external talent? Eh, probably not. But the reality is that these guys need to win games. There is pressure on everyone, from the players to the coaches, and especially the decision makers in the warehouse. They only need a minor indication that these guys can make it to October. Getting to four wins in a row today, on the final day of the season’s “first half” would feel like a sign from above.
I can’t really complain if that’s what happens. It would be nice to watch competitive baseball for the next two-and-a-half months. An aggressive trade deadline should make that happen. Let’s see it!
Links
More this, that and the other | Roch Kubatko
Roch notes that the Orioles, at this moment, have an 18.1 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to FanGraphs. Considering how poor they have looked for stretches across the last few months, that’s not too bad. It helps that the American League is so mediocre overall.
Orioles closer Ryan Helsley avoids surgery on elbow; Keegan Akin has surgeon appointment | The Baltimore Banner
This is very good news for both Helsley and the Orioles. The hard-throwing righty has a player option for 2027. Right now, it seems like he will pick it up. But at least there is a chance he will pitch through it, maybe even teaming up with Félix Bautista at the back of the bullpen. The news is not as good for Akin, who sounds like he is heading for Tommy John.
Orioles Activate Yaramil Hiraldo From 60-Day IL | MLB Trade Rumors
The Orioles need some bullpen depth. Hiraldo will provide that down in Norfolk. Orioles fans probably don’t want him in key situations up here anyway, but with both Helsely and Akin out for a while, this is good news.
Orioles strike balance of upside, high floors with Day 1 picks | The Baltimore Sun
It’s impossible to say right now whether the Orioles have had a good draft or not. But the process seems sounds, and praise has been universally positive. That’s worth noting, even if it is not the end all be all of the draft.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- The late Jack Harshman (b. 1927, d. 2013) was born on this day. He spent parts of two seasons in Baltimore from 1958-59, accumulating a 3.55 ERA over 283.2 innings.
This day in O’s history
1969 – Mike Cuellar tosses a complete game three-hitter to beat the Red Sox 4-0. Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro has all three of their hits. Cuellar becomes the first pitcher in major league history to throw two complete game three-hitters in which one opposing hitter accounts for all of the hits. He achieves this feat in back-to-back starts (Yankees, July 8th).
2022 – The Orioles win their ninth straight game, beating the Cubs 4-2 at Wrigley Field. This win puts the Orioles at .500 for the first time all season.
2024 – Benches clear when Orioles youngster Heston Kjerstad is struck in the head by Yankees closer Clay Holmes. O’s manager Brandon Hyde takes excpetion to something he hears from the Yankees dugout and has to be restained by Yankees catcher Austin Wells.
