It might be cold and snowy in Maryland, but it’s almost time for that beautiful sunshine and the smell of fresh dirt, as baseball season is just around the corner.
Pitchers and catchers report on the 12th, and the first spring training game is scheduled for the 22nd. But with spring training comes different things follow as we get closer to Opening Day in Toronto on March 27.
Here are five things every fan should keep a close eye on during spring training this year.
ROTATION COMPETITION
The Orioles’ starting rotation is honestly going to be a dog fight.
Outside of Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, who are both recovering from UCL surgery, there are nine pitchers fighting for five spots in the rotation. It’s hard to guarantee rotation spots, but most likely, Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin and Charlie Morton are guaranteed rotation spots.
That leaves two spots for six candidates heading into camp. Those being Dean Kremer, Tomoyuki Sugano, Cade Povich, Albert Suárez, Chayce McDermott and Trevor Rogers.
Right now I'd say the Orioles rotation has a:
— Orioles Statistics (@OriolesStatist1) February 12, 2025
2
2
4
5
5
Nick Pivetta has been mentioned. I'm not excited about it because I think we need to trade for a 1 or at worst a 2; but he's comfortably a 3 and would give us a
2
2
3
4
5
Which .. is shaping up ok. Just no dog up top.
Guys like Povich and McDermott are young arms who have that hunger to show their true potential on the big stage. Suárez is an older veteran who shined when the O’s needed him most.
Kremer is a former trade acquisition who has really performed well when needed, while Rogers is an acquisition who struggled in his few starts with the Orioles.
Finally, Sugano is a former Nippon Baseball League legend who is getting to perform in the majors for the first time.
A MOUNTAIN OF A RETURN
Ladies and gentlemen, Félix Bautista is back.
The Mountain missed the entire 2024 season, and it showed for the Birds. However, now that he’s back, what does it mean for the rest of the bullpen?
Some new arms in the mix in Baltimore and the return of Félix Bautista in '25 👀@MelanieLynneN breaks down the Orioles' acquisitions this offseason and how they will fit into the fold this upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/AJ8nsIzDlQ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 11, 2025
If Bautista has a decent spring training, then I don’t see a world where he isn’t the closer. But the competition might be there for him.
Pitchers like Yennier Canó, Andrew Kittredge and Seranthony Domínguez are guys who all have closing experience. If Bautista still isn’t quite back to his normal dominating, clutch nature, don’t be surprised if manager Brandon Hyde goes to one of his other backend options to begin the season.
THE CROWDED OUTFIELD
The main question on everyone’s mind this spring is the Orioles’ outfield situation.
There are currently six outfielders on the Birds’ 40-man roster; three returning outfielders in Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. Both Mullins and Cowser are considered locks, and Kjerstad took advantage of opportunities when he got the chance last season.
The @Orioles have created a logjam in the outfield – is a trade next? pic.twitter.com/GLsVNzZyN7
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 5, 2025
Then you have the three newcomers. Tyler O’Neill is the slugger of the group, as he’s coming off a 31-homer season with the Boston Red Sox. Ramón Laureano brings the cannon with one of the best throwing arms in baseball, and Dylan Carlson is a lefty killer, batting .285 in his career against left-handed pitching.
While it’s anyone’s game, I would say it’s safe to assume that Mullins, Cowser and O’Neill will be the Opening Day starters come March 27. The big question is who makes the 26-man roster as the fourth option.
PROSPECT TIMELINES
While it’s always fun to look at the big league team and see what’s in front of us, it’s also fun to look towards the future, especially when the future is playing in spring training games.
Samuel Basallo, the O’s No. 1 overall prospect, put together a solid 2024 season in the minors and looks to be major league ready. How he performs in camp might accelerate his debut date.
The long stretch prospects like Dylan Beavers, Jud Fabian and Enrique Bradfield Jr., who are outfielders already blocked because of what I mentioned earlier, might see the possibility of debuts this season.
There are only four prospects 19 or younger w/ over 30 PA’s at AA:
— LouisAnalysis (@LouisAnalysis) February 9, 2025
– Samuel Basallo (.820 OPS)
– Bryce Eldridge (.784 OPS)
– Nelson Rada (.600 OPS)
– Alfredo Velasquez (.419 OPS)
All extremely young for the level. Basallo’s numbers are special.
pic.twitter.com/IPUUm7U9XR
IS MIKE ELIAS DONE?
There are still names on the table that can be acquired. The question is if the O’s front office will make a move.
The top name on the board is right-hander Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres. The problem is that it’s been announced by sources that the Padres want the likes of Jordan Westburg, Samuel Basallo or Coby Mayo in exchange.
Other players on the block are Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Michael King. However, I really don’t see a move being made this late.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsMichael King is 'far less likely' to be traded than Dylan Cease, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/x71UXJVa90
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) February 11, 2025
What are your thoughts on these things to follow during spring? 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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