With all players set to report Monday, the Baltimore Orioles’ spring camp is nearly at full strength.
Core players — Adley Rutschman, Samuel Basallo, Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser and offseason free agent addition Pete Alonso — are already in Sarasota, leaving only a handful of arrivals before workouts intensify.
The club is five days from its first Grapefruit League game, and with World Baseball Classic exhibitions beginning March 3 ahead of the March 5 tournament opener, the pace is about to quicken.
The message inside camp is simple: new season, new mindset. Kyle Bradish, participating in his first full spring training in two years, made it clear that last season’s finish has been put behind them.
“I think that is already flushed after Game 162 last year,” Bradish said. “I think a lot of guys went into the offseason, not going to let that happen again this year.”
On Sunday morning, right-handed pitching prospects Trey Gibson and Levi Wells each threw three simulated innings. Wells retired five straight hitters, striking out Jeremiah Jackson, who also fanned against Gibson. Chris Bassitt threw his first bullpen session in orange and black as well.
The hitter group included Jackson, Willy Vásquez, Samuel Basallo, Heston Kjerstad, Jud Fabian and Weston Wilson. Basallo rebounded from a strikeout against Gibson to line a double to left-center in his second at-bat.
Kjerstad continued to draw attention, homering for the second time this week, as questions linger about last season’s struggles.
“At this time, (I’m) probably not going to share too much,” Kjerstad said. “Kind of like the team has already said, but in the future, that is something we will definitely get into to cover the whole topic and all that.”
The 27-year-old has revamped his stance after offseason work with Jackson Holliday, as well as his father Matt and brother Ethan in Stillwater, OK. Mechanically, he has shortened and closed his stride while maintaining his leg kick.
“Little smaller stride, kind of drag it closed,” Kjerstad said. “It felt good. That was something I was working on this offseason. Kind of developed into that, and we will see where it leads. I still have the leg kick. Always liked it. But there is always a time for change, especially if it makes you a better hitter. That is all I am trying to do.”
Manager Craig Albernaz fielded questions on a variety of topics, including whether Bradish and Trevor Rogers could anchor the rotation this season.
“Are they the 1-2? Yeah, probably,” Albernaz joked.
He was also asked about Cleveland relievers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, given his time as bench coach with the Guardians during last year’s gambling investigation.
SIDE NOTES:
- The Orioles acquired right-hander Jackson Kowar from the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, bringing the camp roster to 72 players. Kowar will wear No. 57.
- Gunnar Henderson returned to camp today and spent 45 minutes on the backfield, taking grounders and working with coaches.
- Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Baltimore continues to explore trade possibilities for first basemen Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo.
It was a relatively light day before the final wave of arrivals. With a full roster expected by Monday, the intensity — and information — should soon follow.
Be sure to return tomorrow for the next edition of SpringNotes, as we inch closer to Friday’s arrival of Grapefruit League play.
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