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What Have We Learned? – Camp Day 1

No, I won’t be doing this every day of Spring Training. Most days (even after the Grapefruit League schedule starts) are pretty mundane. But we’ve been waiting since the last out of game 162 of the 2015 season for this day, so we fans can be excused for a little over-enthusiasm, and we bloggers can be excused for feeding into it.

Pitchers and catchers were due to report to Spring Training today. So… what have we learned?

 

1. It’s not just pitchers and catchers


There were a lot of early-reporting position players at Ed Smith Stadium today. Fringe guys hoping to get a leg up on the competition (either getting in coaches’ good graces, or getting in extra work), like Henry Urrutia. Clubhouse leaders, like J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis. Newcomers, like Hyun Soo Kim.

A lot of it can be attributed to the facilities at Ed Smith Stadium. Remember that the Orioles were once the laughing stock of baseball, thanks to their Spring Training home in Fort Lauderdale. The Orioles invested wisely in their Sarasota facilities, and Ed Smith draws a crowd – both in the stands, and on the practice fields.

Credit is also due to Buck Showalter, who would probably deny it. Showalter is credited for changing the culture in Baltimore – he’s incredibly prepared, and his players have bought into that approach.

 

2. No questions about Chris Tillman

OK, there are plenty of questions about Chris Tillman. Can he bounce back to being an All-Star caliber pitcher? Can he lead this staff to be “OK-to-pretty-good?” What we can’t wonder is what kind of shape he’ll be in when he arrives at camp.

Come on, we all remember the beat reporters’ cell phone pictures from 2015 that showed Tillman’s weight gain was not all in his beard. It was not a good look for him, and it wasn’t a good season for him. Correlation? Who’s to say. What we can say is that Tillman looks to be (say it with me now) in the best shape of his life coming into camp. Let’s cross our fingers on having that result in the best season of his life. The Orioles could use it.

 

3. The Orioles are pretty health, so far.

Showalter told the media that “we probably had the shortest medical discussion since I’ve been here.” And thinking about it, he’s right. I’m not worried about Matt Wieters’ arm. Or Manny Machado’s knees. There is no incoming starting pitcher who’s getting a chance to show that he’s healthy.

On the health note, it will be interesting to see how Dylan Bundy makes it through camp. He is out of options, and will therefore break camp with the club unless he’s hurt. I expect he will be treated as a reliever, but it is possible he gets stretched out and given a look to compete for a rotation spot.

It will also be interesting to see how J.J. Hardy progresses. The 33-year old’s history with back and shoulder ailments puts him on my short list, even if there is no real indication he’ll break down.

 

4. The Gallardo/Fowler deals are the elephant in the room

Everyone knows the score with the Orioles’ pursuit of Yovani Gallardo and Dexter Fowler. The acquisition of either essentially closes down a position battle. Adding Gallardo means there is no fifth spot in the rotation open for the likes of Vance Worley or Tyler Wislon/Mike Wright (yes, I will continue to treat them as if they’re joined at the hip). Adding Fowler means there is no open spot in right field for Nolan Reimold, L.J. Hoes, or Dariel Alvarez.

The locker room at Ed Smith Stadium accommodates 60 players. Showalter says that he tries to keep the number of players under 60 so that everyone has their own locker. Roch Kubatko notes that 58 of them have been spoken for, as of today. Draw your own conclusions. Mine lead to to two fewer draft picks in June.

 

5. The Orioles’ social media might be more fun this year

The beat writers’ social media updates are usually pretty entertaining, but the Orioles seem to have stepped up their game as well, adding an account for The Bird himself, and showing a little more personality on official accounts. All this points to fun for the fans. Spring Training provides unparalleled access to the team for fans. Maybe the Orioles’ official social media wing (pun fully intended) is set to bring that same feeling to those of us shivering in the Birdland, clicking Refresh.

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