The baseball season has moved to the first quarter completion mark, and the Orioles have gotten off to a strong start, though there are still some areas for improvement.
Going this far into the beginning of the season, we knew there would be some questions from Birdland, and we have come here to bring you some answers.
So sit back, get ready to receive some information and enjoy this edition of Battery Q&A.
I’d like to know if you have any insight into how long the Orioles will continue to stay with veterans like Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays, who are not hitting, while Heston Kjerstad and others are stuck at Norfolk with nothing left to prove below the majors? – Scott Robinson via Facebook
This actually comes at a great point in the season. Anthony Santander (.206 avg), Austin Hays (.175 avg) and Cedric Mullins (.199 avg) have struggled, to say the least.
Hays has battled injury for the first month but appears to be on the upswing as he hit a few balls clocked over 100 mph recently. Mullins, as well, is batting .273 over his last seven games and has amassed six hits during that time.
As for Santander, he has an OPS over .700 and more than half his hits (35) have gone for extra bases (20), so he is making his hits count. He also is notoriously a slow starter to the season.
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My concern is growing for Mullins, as he typically does not struggle like he has. His defense is strong but trotting .199 out there daily is an albatross the O’s can’t afford. These three are also a big factor as to why the offense is struggling collectively at this time.
Honestly, this stretch of games coming up, 30 games in 31 days, is what will make or break their seasons and determine how we not only approach the summer trade market but when players like Kjerstad (once called up) and Stowers will start cutting into their playing time.
Why did we unload Mike Baumann for a career minor leaguer? Also, why did we promote Jonathan Heasley to the major league squad? Don’t we have better pitchers in the farm system? – Riff Gibson via Facebook
Mike Baumann was designated for assignment, and it came down to either risking his loss in waivers (which assuredly would happen) or trading him.
Baumann was traded for the Mariners No. 23 prospect, catcher Blake Hunt, who is only 25 years old, while the O’s also packaged catcher Michael Pérez, who is 31 years of age, in the deal.
The Birds got a younger prospect who will provide depth in Triple-A Norfolk while also getting something for Baumann instead of losing him for nothing.
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Heasley was called up because he was stretched out for length and was available to pitch if needed on Thursday, which he did. With Means going to the injured list, a quick move had to be made, and it was only a temporary one.
Heasley has been sent back to Norfolk, and Dean Kremer was placed on 15-day IL with a tricep strain. Dillon Tate and Nick Vespi were recalled to fill the roster spots.
How does Jorge Mateo’s improved play affect Jackson Holliday’s timeline? – Nicholas Davis Etchison via Facebook
Jorge Mateo has embraced his new super utility role, and it seems to have improved his offense at the same time.
Mateo is batting .318 over his last seven games with four stolen bases. One of the things that has stood out this year is Mateo’s patience at the plate (3.939 P/PA) and his BABIP (.323). These two stats are what has helped him slash .258/.309/.483, all career-highs.
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Holliday is still going to get his chance, though right now, he is adjusting some things in Norfolk. Holliday is currently batting .213 for the month of May and has struck out almost a third of his plate appearances.
Holliday will turn things around. His track record indicates that. But in the meantime, Mateo is proving his worth and has moved ahead of Ramón Urías in the depth chart.
As long as Mateo continues to perform the way he is, Holliday will be able to adjust and grow as a player in a proper amount of time, instead of rushing the 20 year old to the majors before he was truly ready.
What do you think the chances are of the O’s re-signing Corbin Burnes to a long-term deal? – Patrick (@Patjam77) via X
Corbin Burnes is proving his value as a front-line starter from the get-go. He is one of a few pitchers to pitch at least five innings and have more strikeouts than walks in every game he has started.
Burnes is 4-2 in 10 games this season, with a 2.41 ERA and 1.02 WHIP this year. He does his job every fifth day and is dependable and durable.
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As Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish continue to establish themselves, Burnes value increases as well. With new ownership, which consists of four of the top 800 richest people in the world, the likelihood of re-signing Burnes long-term is better than people would imagine.
Realistically, the O’s could give him a three-year, $150 million deal and not blink. Depending on how far the team goes this season will also determine if GM Mike Elias can persuade new ownership to spend that kind of money while also working on Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman long-term deals.
That closes this edition of Battery Q&A. Be on the lookout for the next edition, and bring your questions forward to see if you will make our next piece.
Do you agree with our answers? Is there a question you would like answered? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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