The Baltimore Orioles entered camp as one of baseball’s most discussed teams after an aggressive offseason, punctuated by the signing of veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt to a one-year deal.
Bassitt addressed reporters for the first time in orange and black on Friday, making clear what drew him to Baltimore.
“Obviously, the No. 1 reason is a chance to win,” Bassitt said at his locker. “And not just win a couple games, but win a World Series. I think this team has the ability to do that.”
Bassitt arrives from three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, who fell to the eventual champion Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s World Series. The loss still lingers for the 36-year-old veteran.
“Still have a lot of pain from it, for sure. It is, for sure, unfinished business,” Bassitt said.
On the field, Trevor Rogers headlined live batting practice, joined by Yennier Cano and Nestor German on the main complex, while Chayce McDermott, Cameron Foster and Richard Gausch worked on the backfields. Hitters included Heston Kjerstad, Samuel Basallo, Dylan Beavers, Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser, Willy Vasquez and Weston Wilson.
Rogers, coming off a record-setting season in which he posted a 1.81 ERA and 0.903 WHIP across 18 starts, appears positioned to build on that success. Unlike last spring, when a dislocated knee limited him, he enters camp fully healthy.
Rogers was the talk of camp Friday, as he struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced, five swinging. Rutschman recorded two balls in play, and Cowser made contact in his second plate appearance.
Cano followed with an encouraging session, striking out four of six hitters. After last season’s struggles — when his sinker and changeup flattened and blended in velocity — refinement of those pitches remains a priority. His slider and splitter, however, showed sharpness.
Offensively, Cowser and Kjerstad are among those making early adjustments. Kjerstad, competing for a roster spot, has eliminated his right leg kick in an effort to streamline his swing and recapture the form that made him a top draft pick in 2020.
“Right now, he looks like he is physically in a great spot,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “You can tell he has put a ton of work in this offseason. And to me, he is just moving so efficiently in the box, and that is the beauty of baseball. The game is going to dictate what you need to adjust and change.”
Cowser, meanwhile, has focused on reducing strikeouts. Coaches have encouraged him to stay back on his hip longer, creating better adjustability and extension through the zone.
SIDE NOTES:
- Recently-acquired utility man Blaze Alexander reported to camp today
- Chris Bassitt will wear No. 40, while Leody Taveras switches to No. 30
- Félix Bautista was seen running sprints on the backfields today
- Renovations continue at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, including new LED menu boards at concession stands
Five days into camp, one remains before position players are required to report, and the momentum in Sarasota is already building.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next edition of SpringNotes to see what happens next in sunny Sarasota, where the Birds are spreading their wings and flying together.
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