This offseason, the Orioles tied their report for main league free agent signings underneath govt vp and basic supervisor Mike Elias, including to their rotation, bullpen and lineup.
But the membership has additionally been energetic in including minor league free brokers, and that may seemingly proceed to be the case even when Baltimore doesn’t make one other main league signing.
In current years, the Orioles have been overly depending on their minor league additions, however this yr’s crop seems extra more likely to provide depth. That will nonetheless be beneficial for a staff hoping to achieve the postseason subsequent yr, even when its main league additions up to now — starter Kyle Gibson, second baseman Adam Frazier, reliever Mychal Givens and (through commerce) catcher James McCann — have improved their roster solely modestly as a substitute of majorly.
As 2023 approaches, right here’s a breakdown of Baltimore’s minor league signings to date this offseason.
Eduard Bazardo
In 14 appearances out of Boston’s bullpen the previous two years, Bazardo, 27, posted a 2.33 ERA, permitting lower than one runner per inning. The right-hander’s slider and changeup had been high quality pitches towards each lefties and righties, with the slider answerable for 11 of his 14 profession strikeouts. Three of his 4 residence runs surrendered got here on his fastballs; each his four-seamer and sinker averaged about 94 mph.
Wandisson Charles
The youngest of the Orioles’ minor league free brokers, Charles, 26, walked 38 batters in 37 innings for Oakland’s Double-A affiliate in 2022, ending with an 11.43 ERA. The Athletics added him to their 40-man roster forward of the 2021 season, with Baseball America rating him as Oakland’s No. 30 prospect due to his higher 90s fastball velocity, however he missed the yr due to an harm earlier than struggling in 2022.
Franchy Cordero
Beyond starter Ryan Mountcastle, the one member of Baltimore’s 40-man roster who has performed first base within the majors is McCann, who appeared at 9 video games there for the New York Mets over the previous two years. Cordero has comparatively important expertise there, taking part in 64 video games at first base the earlier two seasons. In spring coaching, the 28-year-old will contend for a spot on the Orioles’ bench, providing a left-handed bat able to taking part in first and all three outfield spots.
Kyle Dowdy
Dowdy, 29, reached the majors with the Texas Rangers in 2019 as a Rule 5 draft choose, however after being returned to Cleveland, he was unable to return to the massive leagues over the following 2 1/2 seasons. He spent most of 2022 with Cincinnati’s Triple-A staff earlier than making two scoreless appearances totaling 6 1/3 innings out of the Reds’ bullpen in September. In these outings, he showcased an efficient curveball with a fastball that averaged above 96 mph and obtained as much as 98.
Ofreidy Gómez
Gómez, 27, joins Charles as the one two gamers Baltimore has signed this winter who’ve but to seem within the majors. He has struggled mightily along with his command at Triple-A, strolling as many batters as he struck out (52) over 55 1/3 profession innings at that stage with three organizations. He’s pitched way more successfully at Double-A, hanging out nearly a 3rd of opposing hitters with a far decrease stroll fee.
Josh Lester
Lester is a extra conventional first base choice than Cordero, additionally providing a left-handed bat. His lone main league inning within the subject got here at third base for the Detroit Tigers, however the 28-year-old predominantly performed first base with Triple-A Toledo, the place he hit 29 residence runs and 39 doubles whereas driving in 99 runs, every rating among the many high 5 of Triple-A hitters.
Nomar Mazara
Like Cordero, Mazara is a left-handed hitter whose manufacturing has by no means matched his instruments. Ranked amongst baseball’s high 25 prospects getting into 2016, Mazara completed fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting that season. His OPS climbed every of his subsequent three seasons with the Rangers, however within the three seasons since leaving them, his OPS was .619. He and Cordero determine to be Kyle Stowers’ spring coaching opponents for a job as a left-handed nook outfielder.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com