Good morning, Orioles fans!
Yesterday was a classic spring day for the Orioles, with action split between Fort Myers and Sarasota. The O's took on the Twins in Fort Myers, and it was a day to remember.
A six-run first inning set the tone for a 10-5 victory. Leody Tavares was on fire, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs, two RBIs, and even swiped a base.
Luis Vázquez chipped in with two hits, including a double and a stolen base. Coby Mayo had a solid performance with two singles, a run scored, and an RBI.
Jeremiah Jackson also impressed, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run.
On the pitching side, Albert Suárez and Ryan Helsley were among those who took the mound. Suárez started off, pitching two innings and allowing one run on three hits and a walk.
Helsley contributed a shutout inning. Sure, it's spring training, but seeing the second-string hitters shine is always a good sign!
Meanwhile, back in Sarasota, Chris Bassitt threw his first live batting practice of the preseason. He faced off against Tyler O’Neill, Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward, Thairo Estrada, and his old buddy Pete Alonso. Bassitt and Alonso have been tight since their days with the Mets in 2022, and Alonso's presence was a big factor in Bassitt choosing the Orioles.
During their BP session, Alonso jokingly accused Bassitt of avoiding him to face the left-handed Henderson. However, Bassitt got the upper hand, inducing a grounder and a long fly out in their encounters. Bassitt felt “really, really good” afterward, which is music to our ears!
At 37, Bassitt is also stepping into a mentorship role, working with young pitchers like Cade Povich. They’ve been playing catch and experimenting with different grips. With 11 years in the big leagues, Bassitt is a wealth of knowledge for these young arms.
Today, the Orioles will host the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Expect to see many of the “A squad” hitters in action, at least for a few innings.
As for the pitching lineup, it's still up in the air. First pitch is at 1:05.
In other news, Ryan Helsley debuted a new splitter in his first Orioles spring training appearance. This pitch was part of his recruitment process with the Orioles, aimed at improving his performance against left-handed hitters after some struggles last year with the Mets.
Eric Torres' journey to Orioles camp is a testament to the unique paths players can take in baseball. After pitching in independent ball, his belief and persistence have brought him to this opportunity.
And a quick nod to some Orioles history: Dave Vineyard turns 85 today. He pitched for the O's in 1964 with a 4.17 ERA over 19 games. Also remembering Kevin Hickey, who was part of the Orioles bullpen from 1989 to 1991.
On this day in 1975, the Orioles traded fan favorite Boog Powell to Cleveland, marking the end of a memorable 14-year stint with the team.
Stay tuned for more exciting spring training action!