The Baltimore Orioles have spent the last three years putting together an organization from bottom to top. Though rebuilds like this take time, it’s hard to turn your eyes away from the minor league system the Orioles have built, currently the best in baseball.
Author Archives: Stephen Heckman
Mullins makes history: First Oriole to reach 30/30
In 2015, the Orioles selected a 13th round pick out of Campbell University. A switch hitting outfielder who played one season of college ball and batted .340, while stealing 23 bases. At best, he was thought as maybe a reserve outfielder.
Bowie Baysox playoff bound: Move to Double-A Northeast Championship series
One of the fun things about being an Orioles fan this year has been the news on the farm. As we have struggled to get through a tough year with the big league team, we got to hear about the success of the Baby Birds and even see some of the future.
Orioles salvage one against Yankees in season series finale: Series Recap 9/14/21 – 9/16/21
The final series against the Yankees was supposed to be dominated by New York. Unfortunately for the Yankees, they found out the Baltimore Orioles were a bit tougher than expected.
Gunnar Up: O’s top-5 prospect gets promotion to Double-A Bowie
In 2019, the Orioles’ big wave of the amateur draft was No. 1 overall selection and current No. 1 overall prospect, Adley Rutschman. Changing the spectrum for how the Orioles’ minor league system would be built, Rutschman became the face of the future.
Davis Tavarez wins FCL Player of the Week honors
The Baltimore Orioles have spent the better part of three years rebuilding, and if there is one thing that they have shown, it’s that they have built a strong and talented minor league system.
My Dear Watson, Zach Watson
Throughout the year, being a Baltimore Orioles fan has been an interesting time to say the least. We have experienced some ups and, unfortunately, many downs.
Orioles split series with Royals: Series Recap 9/6/21 – 9/9/21
The Orioles played the Royals in a four-game series and played to a split in one of the most interesting series of the year.
One Mateo, Two Mateo, Three Mateo, Four
The Baltimore Orioles have been in the midst of a rebuild for three years now, and in that time they have worked on developing younger players from the very bottom on up, including growing the international market that added an $800 million state-of-the-art facility in the Dominican Republic.
O’s welcome Royals to town: Series Preview 9/6/21 – 9/9/21
What a better way to celebrate an American holiday than with good ‘ole American baseball!
Orioles Minors Award Winners: August 2021
As the big league club starts to audition players for next year, there is some watch for present Orioles, who could be in the running for some hardware. Until the season ends, we will not know, but we will be hoping.
The Art of Losing to Win
Sports as a collective is summed up in two words; winning and losing.
O’s Top-5: Promotional Giveaways
We all enjoy going to the ballpark to watch a game. The cheering of our home team, the smell of hot dogs and popcorn, vendors up and down the rows. It’s such a different feel, emotion, and experience that is difficult to top!
O’s Top-5: Draft Busts
Over the course of a few seasons, fans like to monitor players taken by their favorite team in the annual MLB Draft. They clamor for them to succeed through the minor leagues and reach their big league club in no time, to which the fanfare would be enormous.
O’s Rylan Bannon named Triple-A East POTW
Rylan Bannon has been a surprise for the Orioles since being acquired by the team in 2018 from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Crushed: The Rise & Fall of Chris Davis
Few moments in history can be a turning point for a team that becomes a positive and then a negative in such a short time.
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
OPINION-BASED: Back in 2018, the Baltimore Orioles entered one of the dreaded stretches any fan hates to hear: REBUILD.
O’s Jean Pinto wins Low-A East Pitcher of the Week
The Delmarva Shorebirds, the Low-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, have been informed that right-handed pitcher Jean Pinto has been named Low-A East League Pitcher of the Week.
Baseball’s No. 1 prospect promoted to Triple-A
Back in June of 2019, the Baltimore Orioles drafted a young catching phenom that was the signifying moment of an in-depth rebuild.
Say it ain’t so, Raffy!
Some of the most die hard Baltimore Orioles fans can think back to a day when we had one of the best first basemen in the modern era.
O’s claim Jorge Mateo from Padres, Pat Valaika DFA’d
Tje Baltimore Orioles made a sneaky move Thursday afternoon, as they claimed speedster Jorge Mateo off waivers from the San Diego Padres.
What tomorrow holds: A look at what could be the 2023 Baltimore Orioles: Part 2
Earlier last week, we looked at the potential starting lineup and rotation of the Baltimore Orioles in 2023, a time when we should see the new wave of talent that Mike Elias has been promising us.
O’s trade SS Freddy Galvis to Phillies for RHP Tyler Burch
In a day that everyone expected Paul Fry, Tanner Scott, and maybe Trey Mancini to be donning new colors, the big news of the day was Freddy Galvis getting traded to where he begin his career, the Philadelphia Phillies.
O’s head to Detroit to play Tigers in four: Series Preview 7/29/21 – 8/1/21
Jonathan Schoop once called Baltimore home and gave the Orioles a steady presence at second base for years to come. Now, he once again will be across the diamond, as the former Oriole will be on the home team for the Motor City, Detroit Tigers, to open up a four-game set.
Adley continues to rake, wins Double-A Northeast Player of the Week honors
When it comes to Adley Rutschman, Oriole fans are no longer surprised with accolades; it just makes us anxious for his arrival and makes us anticipate what he will do for our team in the years to come.
What tomorrow holds: A look at what could be the 2023 Baltimore Orioles: Part 1
The Orioles are going to be an exciting team in the coming years! But what will the team look like from a players standpoint? Our very own Stephen Heckman gives us a potential look for the lineup and starting rotation for Opening Day 2023!
O’s rotation still in question
The Orioles came into the 2021 season with the knowledge of a rebuild still in progress. Our pitching was supposed to find a little bit of stability with John Means, Dean Kremer, and Keegan Akin covering three spots in the rotation, but what about the other spots?
What could happen come July 30
The Baltimore Orioles have had, well, let’s just say an unimpressive season to date. Currently on pace to win 56 games, it’s easy to say there more than likely won’t be a playoff chase this season.
Jonathan Bauer: Real Life Superman
In the blink of an eye, an ordinary day can become one that could change your life forever. No one expects it, and, most of all, no one knows how they would react in a particular instance. On May 2, 2021, Jonathan Bauer was about to find out how quickly that instance can come.
Filling the Bird’s Nest: O’s rounds 2-10 selections
Mike Elias had a strategy laid out heading into the 2021 MLB Draft. He kept it close to the vest, and when approached about the matter, he told MASN this.
Colton Cowser: Newest Baby Bird
With the fifth selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, the Baltimore Orioles have selected outfielder Colton Cowser! Get to know our newest Baby Bird!
Mundy, Bishop win O’s Minor League Players of the Month
The Baltimore Orioles have gone above and beyond since 2018 to find talent that would be worthy of building and filtering through their minor league system, with the ultimate goal to have a continuous pipeline from the lowest level to the highest.
Lord Mountcastle shining brightly in June, wins A.L. Rookie of the Month
The Baltimore Orioles are in the middle of a complete club rebuild from top to bottom. While the big league club is still growing, one thing that can be certain is that the O’s have a young star in the making in Ryan Mountcastle.
Future of tomorrow, today
The Futures Game: A game to showcase the next best stars of baseball! All 30 teams are represented, with up to two players, making up two 25-man rosters of top prospects from around the league.
Are we there yet?
Baltimore Orioles fans experienced a return of magic to the Charmed City for a period of five years, from 2012-2017. There was Chris Davis crushing home runs, Chris Tillman defying sabremetrics, and a 20-year-old kid, who made playing third base as natural as Brooks Robinson made it look. There was a Division Title, two WildContinue reading “Are we there yet?”
Henderson, Brnovich, & more promoted, O’s farm system continues to push prospects through
The Baltimore Orioles have had a busy season sending the taxi and plane back-and-forth between minor league affiliates and the big leagues. This week was no different, as the minor league clubs saw some important transactions take place in the farm system.
Extra Mayo, please! Coby Mayo that is…
The Baltimore Orioles 2020 Amature Draft is best known for current injured OF and second overall pick, Heston Kjerstad. The hype surrounding the young ball player, who has yet to play one single inning of professional baseball due to a viral infection, has left people wondering if he was a draft bust. That is stillContinue reading “Extra Mayo, please! Coby Mayo that is…”
Grayson Rising
It’s a warm humid spring day. The towering body of a 6’5″, 21-year-old phenom stares down the batter in the batters box. It’s an 0-2 count, and before the bat can be lifted from the shoulder, a 100 mph fastball zips by, the bat swinging past it late, catching nothing but air. This has becomeContinue reading “Grayson Rising”
Norfolk steady with the Tide, take 3 of 5 in Jacksonville: Weekly Recap 6/8/21 – 6/13/21
The Norfolk Tides came into the week looking to improve on their 10-17 record, walking away with three wins, two losses, and one postponement. With players up and down and in rehab assignments, it’s hard to maintain a consistent lineup, but the future is bright with younger talent coming through and the current roster growingContinue reading “Norfolk steady with the Tide, take 3 of 5 in Jacksonville: Weekly Recap 6/8/21 – 6/13/21”
Aberdeen IronBirds show rust, lose 5 of 6 against Bowling Green: Weekly Recap 6/8/21 – 6/13/21
The Aberdeen IronBirds started the week comfortably in first place in the Northern Division of the High-A East, but after a 1-5 week, they now are locked in a first place tie with the Hudson Valley Renegades at 20-14.
No sunshine for O’s, as Rays sweep Baltimore in St. Pete: Series Recap 6/11/21 – 6/13/21
A three-game series against the top team in the American League was a litmus test to see where the Orioles stacked up against the best. Instead, the Tampa Bay Rays walked away with another sweep, leaving the O’s 0-6 on the season against the Rays and 20 games under .500 on the year.
The Rule of 5
The Rule 5 Draft pick; worthy of a Major League roster spot, or stunting the growth of a quality prospect?
Orioles visit sunshine state to play division-leading Rays: Series Preview 6/11/21 – 6/13/21
Most people think of Florida, and they think of tropical warm weather. For Baltimore Fans we think of a date with our arch nemesis, the Tampa Bay Rays.
Planeta: Small time to national spotlight
Most of America who swoon over reality television might find their favorite current show, ‘The Bachelorette’, starting off with some well placed, professional, and successful men. What most may not realize, outside some of the most die hard fans, is one of our very own former Baby Birds has made an appearance and advanced pastContinue reading “Planeta: Small time to national spotlight”
O’s future arms show heat
There was a time when starting pitching became synonymous with the Baltimore Orioles. Earl Weaver used to preach about good pitching, and the three-run homer would take you far.
