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World Champions 1983, 1970, 1966
American League Champions 1983, 1979, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1966 American League East Division Champions 2014, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969
American League Wild Card 2012, 1996
Friday, July 8, 2016
Columns:
Taking a look at Mark Trumbo's chances in the Home Run Derby The Sun 7/8
1966 World Series champion Orioles gather for 50th-anniversary reunion The Sun 7/7
Top moments from the Orioles' 1966 season The Sun 7/7
Mark Trumbo will continue Orioles' Home Run Derby streak, and top seed seems fit to
win it The Sun 7/7
Orioles' 5 stats that matter: Should Chris Davis have made the AL All-Star team? The
Sun 7/7
Buck Showalter bravely attempts to recreate Machado-Schoop handshake The Sun 7/7
Trumbo is No. 1 seed in Home Run Derby MLB.com 7/7
O's reinstate Alvarez from bereavement list MLB.com 7/7
O's eye rotation help as Trade Deadline approaches MLB.com 7/7
Pipeline preview: Hess featured in duel of the day MLB.com 7/7
Roster move, tonight’s game and more (Jimenez to start) MASNsports.com 7/8
Trumbo the top seed in Home Run Derby MASNsports.com 7/7
Wright remains option to join Orioles (updated again) MASNsports.com 7/7
Time for some home cooking before the break (plus other O’s notes) MASNsports.com
7/8
Trumbo to participate in next week’s Home Run Derby MASNsports.com 7/7
Angels-Orioles preview STATS, LLC. 7/7
Mark Trumbo, Todd Frazier lead 2016 Home Run Derby participants ESPN 7/8
Orioles' Mark Trumbo Seeded First In Home Run Derby CSN Mid-Atlantic 7/7
Jim Palmer: Kevin Gausman Is Going In The Right Direction PressBoxOnline.com 7/8
For The Orioles, Starting Pitching Won't Come Cheap PressBoxOnline.com 7/7
Boog Powell Talks 50th Anniversary of 1966 World Series CBS Baltimore 7/7
Mark Trumbo Will Participate In Home Run Derby CBS Baltimore 7/7
The Five Most Hilarious ‘Best of Buck’ Moments CBS Baltimore 7/7
Mark Trumbo hits two more bombs, leads all of baseball with 26 homers NBC Sports 7/7
Friday Replay: Buck Showalter Attempts "The Handshake" Baltimore Magazine 7/8
The Dylan Bundy Dilemma: He’d fill a short-term need, but could that jeopardize his
future health? BaltimoreBaseball.com 7/8
Draft update: O’s sign most of Top 20; Palmeiro, Bonilla, Blohm not signed yet
BaltimoreBaseball.com 7/7
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-taking-a-look-at-mark-trumbo-s-chances-
in-the-home-run-derby-20160707-story.html
Taking a look at Mark Trumbo's chances in the Home Run
Derby
By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun
July 8, 2016
This time every year, some of the best power hitters in the game waffle about participating in the
annual Home Run Derby, so it’s great to see Orioles outfielderMark Trumbo, who currently
leads the majors with 26 homers, jump at the opportunity.
Moments after Trumbo was named to the All-Star team before Tuesday’s game at Dodger
Stadium, he made it clear he was interested in participating. The next day, he said he was going,
and on Thursday the participants were officially announced by Major League Baseball.
And seeing the way Trumbo approaches hitting, he’s not just participating for the spectacle of it
all – however, his tape-measure power is made for that spotlight – but he’s going to try to win.
Trumbo participated in the derby in 2012 in Kansas City and placed third, but showed the most
consistency over the first two rounds. But the derby is about getting on a roll. That’s what the
fans want to see – double-digit rounds of moonshots. Timing is everything.
Major League Baseball tweaks the rules of the contest frequently. The changes are subtle, but
even last year in Cincinnati, MLB made some last-minute adjustments to the rules because of
weather concerns.
The head-to-head format plays to Trumbo’s favor because of his consistency hitting the ball out
of the park. When Trumbo competed in the 2012 derby – which was different in that hitters
advanced to the finals by total homers hit over the first two rounds – Trumbo was the only player
to hit six or more homers in each of the first two rounds.
Last season, the rules awarded up to 90 extra seconds for homers hit over 420 feet, but this year,
hitters will only get an additional 30 seconds for hitting two or more homers of 440 feet or
longer.
While Trumbo is a masher – he averages 413 feet per home run this season – he will be
competing with some other crushers. Here’s a look at the average home-run distance for the eight
participants, according to Statcast.
Name, Team HRs Avg. (feet)
Carlos Gonzalez, Colo 18 422
Giancarlo Stanton, Mia 19 420
Trumbo, Bal 26 413
Adam Duvall, Cin 22 401
Wil Myers, SD 19 401
Corey Seager, LAD 17 399
Robinson Cano, Sea 20 393
Todd Frazier, CWS 23 389
When looking at these distances, keep in mind that participants won’t be staring down a 97-mph
fastball in the derby. It will be more like batting practice, and anyone around the team on a
regular basis knows that Trumbo can put on a show during BP.
And obviously, this is more about the number of homers hit than how far they go, but the caveat
for bonus time for hitting longer homers is an interesting wrinkle that could make a difference in
the end.
Take it for what it is – and so much is based on momentum in the derby, so the event is
extremely unpredictable -- but you’d have to think that Trumbo has a good chance to raise a
trophy on Monday night.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-remember-1966-0708-20160707-
story.html
1966 World Series champion Orioles gather for 50th-
anniversary reunion
By Mike Klingaman / The Baltimore Sun
July 7, 2016
Fifty years ago Friday, the first-place Orioles defeated the California Angels, 2-1 on Boog
Powell's walk-off home run before a jubilant 19,312 at Memorial Stadium.
"Marcelino Lopez threw a hanging curve," Powell recalled. "I just reached out, jerked that
S.O.B. — and we went home."
It was another in a season of storybook victories for the 1966 Orioles, who went on to win it all.
Prior to playing the Angels at Camden Yards on Friday night, the club will pay homage to that
team, trotting out a number of players from Baltimore's first World Serieschampion in a pregame
tribute.
Perhaps Powell would like to linger on the field and take a few cuts?
"The mind says, 'Yeah, go play,'" said Powell, 74. "The body says otherwise."
He's among the 13 honorees who, half a century ago, helped launch the Orioles' golden era (four
World Series appearances in six years). Others include outfielder Russ Snyder, third
baseman Brooks Robinson, second baseman Davey Johnson, infielder Bob Johnson, catchers
Larry Haney and Vic Roznovsky, and pitchers Jim Palmer, Eddie Fisher, Eddie Watt, Dick Hall
and John Miller. Billy Hunter, the third base coach, will also attend. The oldest player is Hall,
85; the youngest is Palmer, 70.
"Damn, we had a good time, didn't we?" said Powell, the first baseman who hit 34 homers and
drove in 109 runs. "There was no one on that team you didn't want to go into battle with. That's
why we became close and kicked everyone's [butt].
"In the clubhouse, I'd sing Charley Pride songs with Eddie Watt, a country boy we called
'Squatty Body.' And John Miller's wife taught my wife how to make crab soup. The neat thing is,
the friendships we developed back in 1966 are still good."
Of the 34 Orioles who suited up that season, 20 survive, including all four Hall of Famers —
Palmer, Brooks Robinson, shortstop Luis Aparicio and outfielder Frank Robinson, the
1966 Triple Crown winner. The last two are unable to attend, as are starting pitchers Wally
Bunker and Tom Phoebus and catcher Andy Etchebarren, who made the All-Star team that
season, his rookie year.
For Bob "Rocky" Johnson, a utility man and pinch hitter, the celebration is well-timed.
"A month ago, I was in a wheelchair in a nursing home [in Minnesota] with neurological
problems," said Johnson, 80. "When I heard about the reunion, I said, 'I've got to get in shape to
go.' So I did my [physical] therapy and got out of there."
He was to arrive in Baltimore with a delegation of 10 family members and lots of tales to tell.
"Once, after a game in Cleveland that year, Brooks and I were dining in the Kon Tiki Restaurant
in the Sheraton when a guy approached our table," Johnson said. "He asked if I was
[Indians slugger] Rocky Colavito, whom I looked like."
Johnson nodded.
"You look shorter," the man said. (Colavito was 6 feet 3; Johnson, 5-10).
"I'm out of uniform," Johnson replied.
The man asked for an autograph. Johnson whispered to Robinson, "How do you spell Colavito?"
Memento in hand, the man nodded toward Robinson.
"Is he a player?" he asked.
"He's a rookie we just called up," Johnson said.
"Have a great year, son," the man said, shaking Robinson's hand.
Robinson obliged, batting .269 with 23 home runs and 100 RBIs.
"I can't believe it has been 50 years," Robinson said recently. "Sometimes it seems like
yesterday; other times, it's like 1966 never happened. That year was a dream for me. I'd been
here since 1955 and it completed my baseball life. The ultimate is to win the World Series. Then
you say to yourself, 'Hey, if I never do it again, so what? We were the best in the world for a
year.'"
Robinson said his mail that season convinced him of the loyalty of Orioles fans:
"One letter said, 'We never miss a game on TV or radio.' It was from two nuns in Cumberland,"
Robinson said.
Back then, Powell said, he fraternized routinely with fans in the stands as he strode from the
dugout to the on-deck circle.
"I think I knew everybody's first name in the first- and second-row seats," he said. "I'd say, 'Hey
Jim. Hi Bill, how ya doin'?' Then someone would ask, 'Boog, are you gonna bunt tonight?' And
I'd say, 'Yeah, I'll drop one down. What do you think, first or third base?' And we'd all laugh."
If he could speak to the crowd Friday, Powell said, "I'd thank them for their support in '66. I don't
think we could have done what we did to an empty stadium."
Friday's reunion will be heartfelt, said Robinson, 79.
"I just want to see the guys and tell them to hang in there, because it'll probably be the last time
for a lot of us," he said.
The gathering will be bittersweet, said Powell, "because a lot of guys — Dave McNally, Paul
Blair, Curt Blefary — went long before their time." When Blefary died in 2001, the outfielder
had his ashes spread over home plate in what remained of old Memorial Stadium.
If there's a hereafter, Powell said, "Those guys will be hanging out up there [Friday] saying,
'Yeah, gang, we were great.'"
Honoring the 1966 Orioles
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to Friday's game. Pregame ceremonies begin at 6:00 p.m.
with a 40-minute highlight video from the 1966 season. Thirteen members of the 1966 World
Series team will be introduced on the field at approximately 6:40 p.m.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-remember-1966-0708-2-20160707-
story.html
Top moments from the Orioles' 1966 season
By Mike Klingaman / The Baltimore Sun
July 7, 2016
April 12: In his first game as an Oriole, Frank Robinson hits a home run in a 5-4 victory at
Boston. Brooks Robinson does the same. The next day against the Red Sox, both Robinsons
homer again.
May 8: Frank Robinson hits a fair ball completely out of Memorial Stadium, the first (and
eventually only) player to do so. Against the Cleveland Indians' Luis Tiant, who has thrown three
straight shutouts, Robinson drives a pitch 451 feet on the fly. The ball rolls under a car in the
stadium parking lot, 540 feet from home plate. The announced crowd of 49,516 gives Robinson a
one-minute standing ovation.
June 14: The Orioles take first place to stay, edging the New York Yankees, 2-1, before an
announced 37,891. Luis Aparicio knocks in the go-ahead run and Stu Miller gets the win ,
pitching three perfect innings in relief of Dave McNally.
July 22: Right-hander Jim Palmer, 20, wins his 11th game, 3-1 over the Chicago White Sox, and
divulges his secret: pancakes for breakfast. The Sun would run a photo of Palmer, fork in hand,
digging into a stack of 22 flapjacks. The victory boosts the Orioles (65-32) to a club-record 33
games over .500.
Aug. 11: For the second time this season, Frank Robinson falls into the stands while making a
game-saving catch on a fly ball in New York's Yankee Stadium. His 11th-inning heroics
preserve a 6-5 win.
Aug. 15: Boog Powell hits three home runs and a single in a 4-2 win over the Red Sox. He ties
the game with a homer in the ninth inning and wins it with another in the 11th. In the stands is
Powell's wife, Jan, who made the trip to Boston despite being eight months pregnant.
Sept. 20: Tom Phoebus (Mount Saint Joseph) pitches his second straight shutout, 4-0 over the
Kansas CityAthletics. Phoebus, 24, becomes the seventh rookie since 1900 to start his career
with two shutouts.
.
Sept. 22: The Orioles clinch their first American League pennant with a 6-1 victory in Kansas
City. Palmer pitches a five-hitter and outfielder Russ Snyder makes a diving catch for the final
out.
Oct. 5: Though 8-to-5 underdogs, the Orioles open the World Series with a 5-2 win over the
Dodgers in Los Angeles. Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson hit first-inning homers off Don
Drysdale, and Moe Drabowsky pitches 62/3 innings of one-hit relief, striking out 11.
Oct. 9: Frank Robinson's 410-foot home run gives the Orioles a 1-0 victory at Memorial
Stadium and a four-game sweep in the Series. McNally throws a four-hitter, extending the staff's
scoreless streak to 33 consecutive innings, a Series record. Robinson is named World Series
Most Valuable Player.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-offday-0708-20160707-story.html
Mark Trumbo will continue Orioles' Home Run Derby
streak, and top seed seems fit to win it
By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun
July 7, 2016
The fact that Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo currently leads Major League Baseballin home
runs with 26 – along with his penchant for tape-measure blasts – makes him a perfect fit for the
annual Home Run Derby, and Trumbo said Wednesday he will participate in this year's event at
next week's All-Star Game in San Diego.
As the major league leader, he was named the top seed in the event Thursday night, and will face
eighth-seeded Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Over the years, some of the game's top power hitters have avoided the event. Some worry aiming
for the seats for an entire night can negatively alter their swing in the second half of the season.
Others would rather watch and relax on the day before the All-Star Game than go through a
lengthy and physically taxing competition.
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel
Cabrera are among those who have already said no thanks to this year's event.
But for an Orioles team built on power, seeing an O's player in the Derby is becoming a regular
occurrence. The Orioles will have a Derby participant for the fourth straight year, with Trumbo
following Manny Machado (2015), Adam Jones (2014) and Chris Davis (2013).
An Orioles player has won the event twice since it began in 1985. Miguel Tejada was victorious
in 2004 at Houston's Minute Maid Park and Cal Ripken Jr. claimed the 1991 event at Rogers
Centre, then known as the SkyDome.
The 30-year-old Trumbo – who participated in the 2012 Derby in Kansas City, finishing third out
of eight competitors – acknowledged it's a grind. But since he was named to his second All-Star
Game on Tuesday, Trumbo made it clear he was interested.
Trumbo understands why the event is popular with the fans, who want to see the game's top
sluggers hit a ball a long way, and he knows his power can add to the spectacle.
"It's a blast," Trumbo said. "I'm kind of a pretty good fit for it. Obviously, that's kind of a part of
what I do anyways, so if I'm able to do it, I think it's kind of what fans are looking for. And that's
ultimately why we play, is to kind of do it for those reasons, so I guess it just makes a lot of
sense for me."
Trumbo said he won't likely go through any extra preparation for the Derby, and he'll probably
take fewer swings in batting practice. He said his previous participation in the Derby will help
him. When Trumbo competed in the Derby at Kauffman Stadium in 2012 — his only previous
All-Star Game nod — he was tied with Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays for the second-
most homers following two rounds with 13. He lost to Bautista in a swing-off for the right to
advance to the final round.
He showed the most consistency of any participant, hitting seven homers in the first round and
six in the second. Bautista needed 11 homers in the first round to reach 13, and eventual
winnerPrince Fielder hit 11 in the second round to advance with a 16-homer total after two
rounds.
Trumbo said he's not worried that being in the Derby will alter his swing moving forward,
although he hit just 10 homers in the second half in 2012 after going into the break with 22.
Trumbo's batting average in the second half (.227) was also significantly lower than before the
break (.306) that season.
"The first year I did it, I probably put too much effort into it, which is inevitable [in your first
time]," Trumbo said. "Hopefully I'll be able to tone things down a bit. … I think I have some
ideas on how I'd attack it a little differently this time around."
Trumbo could benefit from a new contest format introduced last season that rewards batters for
the distance of their home runs.
The format is tweaked slightly every year, but players will continue to go head-to-head in a
bracketed format for the second straight season, with the majors' home run leader getting the No.
1 seed. Rounds are now timed, with each hitter receiving four minutes to hit in each round. In the
first and second rounds, each batter is entitled to one 45-second timeout. In the finals, each batter
is entitled to two timeouts.
Also, players can receive an extra 30 seconds of time for hitting two homers of 440 feet or
longer. Trumbo averages 413 feet per home run this season, including two homers over 440 feet,
according to Statcast. And among the this year's derby participants, only Colorado's Carlos
Gonzalez (422 feet) and Miami's Giancarlo Stanton (420) average longer distances. averages.
"If I were able to do it and the results were there, it's awesome," Trumbo said. "If they're not, no
big deal. It's just for fun."
NOTE: The Orioles reinstated designated hitter Pedro Alvarez from the bereavement list
Thursday.
Orioles' 5 stats that matter: Should Chris Davis have made
the AL All-Star team?
By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun
July 7, 2016
A bizarrely constructed American League All-Star team that featured 10 relievers
helped Orioles set-up man Brad Brach make his first team. But it appears to have also kept one
of Brach's teammates home next week.
In paring down the position player list, which has traditionally included three first
basemen, Royals manager Ned Yost didn’t have a spot for Orioles slugger Chris Davis on a team
that already had fan selection Eric Hosmer and reserve Miguel Cabrera.
Davis' counting stats — 21 home runs and 62 RBIs through Thursday — made it so Davis was
an immediate snub in the eyes of the television broadcasters announcing the teams.
Was Davis' omission truly egregious? Click through the above photo gallery and make the call
for yourself.
This week’s five stats that stand out focus on Davis’ value to the Orioles, whether the fans,
players, or opposing managers consider it All-Star worthy or not.
MV1B
2.0 – By the easiest stat in the book, Davis has been one of the most valuable first basemen in the
league. His 2.0 WAR (wins above replacement) per Fangraphs is third-best among first basemen,
and his 2.3 WAR per Baseball Reference is tops at the position. Davis is ahead of Cabrera on the
former, and tied in the latter, but Cabrera’s overall statline (.298/.378/.524 with 18 home runs)
trumps Davis’ (.235/.343/.493 with 21 home runs.) Hosmer is far below each, but he was voted
in by the fans.
Swinging less this year
43.4 -- Through 84 games, Davis is swinging at 43.4 percent of all pitches, down from 47.5
percent a season ago. That’s a noticeable difference, even if his strikeout rate is up to 33 percent
from last year’s 31 percent. A big-swinger like Davis is liable to strike out, regardless. What’s
important for him is to not swing at pitches that aren’t for him. If he goes down looking, as he
has seemed to a lot this season, he’s at least not getting himself out and swinging at pitches he
can’t handle anyways. (Source: Fangraphs)
A quality defender
3.6 – Davis might not be playing the Gold Glove defense manager Buck Showalter constantly
praises him for, but his "D" is certainly not as bad as it used to be. His 3.6 UZR/150 is third
among qualifying first baseman, ahead of Cabrera (3.00) and Hosmer (-16.3). UZR/150 assigns
value to batted balls based on game situations and hit type, ascribes the runs saved or given by
defensive play to the fielder in that zone, then projects what that value would be over a full
season. Most of Davis’ value comes in his picking ability and his arm, not actually fielding the
balls hit at him. (Source: Fangraphs)
Mr. Clutch
1.181 – Davis OPS in high-leverage situations is over 200 points higher than the next-best
American League first baseman, and fifth among all American League players. Only one player
in the league has more high-leverage RBIs than Davis’ 20 (Boston’s Xander Bogaerts), and only
five are batting better than his .406 average in those situations. These stats aren’t reliable from
year-to-year, but do paint a picture of how a player performs in the situations his team needs him
to in a given year. Davis fits that bill this year. (Source: Fangraphs)
Deceptively good on the base paths
3.3 – A lot is made of the baffling baserunning of third baseman Manny Machado, who has run
the Orioles out of a lot of innings. The man who is typically batting behind him and feeling that
effect, Davis, is actually rated as the Orioles’ best baserunner this season. According to
FanGraphs, his 3.3 BsR (BaseRunning) metric is tied for 13th in the majors and tops on the
Orioles, among qualifiers. The stat measures extra bases taken, double plays grounded into, and
stolen bases. The first two are Davis’ calling card this year. He’s taken extra bases 10 times on
singles while on first base, and grounded into just one double play. He may not look like a
speedster, but Davis is providing value on the bases.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baltimore-sports-blog/bal-buck-showalter-bravely-attempts-
to-recreate-machado-schoop-handshake-20160707-story.html
Buck Showalter bravely attempts to recreate Machado-
Schoop handshake
By Jonas Shaffer / The Baltimore Sun
July 7, 2016
Mid-Atlantic Sports Network on Wednesday released its second "Best of Buck"compilation. You
should watch it if you like the Orioles manager talking about swords or about humming songs or
concocting baseball awards (Traveling Secretary of the Year!).
There's also a short clip of Showalter apparently trying to replicate Manny Machado and
Jonathan Schoop's elaborate handshake.
Here's what it should look like.
In all, it's about a seven-step sequence of swag.
Here's Showalter's go at it.
Sorry, Buck. You came up about two steps short. Though adding a little tongue and throwing in a
halfhearted dab makes it yours. It's high time the Orioles make you your own T-shirt.
http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188552574/orioles-mark-trumbo-to-enter-home-run-derby/
Trumbo is No. 1 seed in Home Run Derby
By Manny Randhawa / MLB.com
July 7, 2016
Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo will take part in the 2016 T-Mobile Home Run Derby on
Monday night at San Diego's Petco Park (8 p.m. ET on ESPN and simulcast on MLB.com),
leading into Tuesday's 87th All-Star Game presented by MasterCard (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX).
Trumbo currently leads the Majors with 26 home runs, just eight shy of his career-high of 34 set
in 2013 while with the Angels.
The other participants in this year's competition are defending champion Todd Frazier of the
White Sox, the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton, the Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, the Mariners'Robinson
Cano, the Padres' Wil Myers, Dodgers rookie Corey Seager and the Reds'Adam Duvall.
The players were seeded one through eight based on home run totals through Wednesday. As the
top seed, Trumbo will take on No. 8 Seager in the first round, with the winner of that matchup
facing the winner of No. 4 Cano and No. 5 Stanton in the semifinals.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 3 seed Duvall faces No. 6 Myers and No. 2 Frazier meets
No. 7 Gonzalez in the first round.
The winners of those two matchups will meet in the other semifinal. Then the last two sluggers
standing hack for the home run derby title.
The rules of the competition, which was modified beginning with last year's Derby, are as
follows:
• Single-elimination tournament in which the winner of each matchup advances and the loser of
each matchup is eliminated.
• If the second batter hits more home runs than the first batter in any matchup, he will be
declared the winner and not attempt to hit additional home runs.
• Four minutes per batter for each round. Clock starts with the release of the first pitch. In the
first round and semifinals, each batter is entitled to one 45-second "time out." In the finals, each
batter is entitled to two 45-second "time-outs."
• Thirty seconds of bonus time will be awarded for two home runs that each equal or exceed 440
feet.
• Ties in any round will be broken by a 60-second swing-off with no stoppage of time or
additional time added. If a tie remains after the swing-off, batters will engage in successive
three-swing swing-offs until there is a winner.
Trumbo previously participated in the Home Run Derby in 2012 at Kansas City's Kauffman
Stadium, hitting a total of 13 homers -- seven in Round 1 and six in Round 2. The Blue Jays'Jose
Bautista beat Trumbo in Round 2 to advance and leave him with a third-place finish.
Only two Orioles have won the Derby since it started in 1985: Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) in Toronto
and Miguel Tejada (2004) in Houston. Trumbo's teammate Manny Machado hit 12 last year in
the opening round, but the Dodgers' Joc Pederson edged him out.
Trumbo has hit some mammoth homers so far this season, including his longest -- a Statcast-
projected 458-foot shot on June 2 against Rick Porcello of the Red Sox. In all, a Major League-
best nine of Trumbo's 26 dingers this season have been longer than 425 feet. He was the first
player in the Majors to reach the 20-homer mark and has already eclipsed his total from last
season.
More numbers on Trumbo's homers this season, courtesy of Statcast™:
Longest HR of 2016: 458 feet, June 2 (sixth inning) vs. Red Sox, off Porcello
Hardest-hit HR of 2016: 114.8 mph, June 2 (fourth inning) vs. Red Sox, off Porcello
Average HR distance in 2016: 413 feet
Average exit velocity in 2016: 107.2 mph
http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188535620/pedro-alvarez-reinstated-from-bereavement-
list/
O's reinstate Alvarez from bereavement list
By Manny Randhawa / MLB.com
July 7, 2016
The Orioles announced Thursday that they have reinstated infielder Pedro Alvarez from the
bereavement list. Alvarez is slashing .242/.317/.461 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs in 53
games for Baltimore this season.
Alvarez was placed on the three-day bereavement list on Sunday following a death in his family,
and flew to the Dominican Republic following Baltimore's series finale against Seattle.
http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188470030/orioles-eye-arms-as-trade-deadline-
approaches/
O's eye rotation help as Trade Deadline approaches
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
July 7, 2016
LOS ANGELES -- There's no question about what the Orioles' needs are heading toward the
Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
Baltimore, which saw its rotation post a 6.88 ERA over its recent three-city road trip, has gotten
quality starts in just six of the past 19 games. The Orioles have taken struggling right-
hander Ubaldo Jimenez out of the rotation and then put him back in it, they sent young
arms Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk, and they dealt with injuries to Kevin
Gausman and Yovani Gallardo.
Amazingly enough, the O's are still in first place. How do they stay there? It could hinge on what
they do over the next month.
Biggest need
No shocker here: starting pitching.
"We've got a good bullpen and lineup," Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations
Dan Duquette said. "If we could get some stability through our starting rotation, that would
probably be our first choice, but we'll see. We have players in the organization that other teams
like. We've already had some preliminary conversations, so we'll have to see how that goes. We
are having a good year. We'd like to continue and see if we could have an even better year."
Who they could target
Anyone capable of going five or six innings will be high on the O's list, particularly with their
bullpen. The team would prefer a left-hander, and the Rays' Matt Moore is rumored to be
available -- though it remains to be seen if Tampa Bay would deal in the division. Baltimore has
also been linked to San Diego's Drew Pomeranz and Pittsburgh's Francisco Liriano.
"We've got a lot of righties," Duquette said. "But [finding a good lefty starter is] like collecting
rare coins. Who knows? We might get a contribution from someone we already have in the
system. Sometimes that will happen."
Why a rotation upgrade could happen
The Orioles' bullpen is among baseball's best, but their relievers have picked up a large number
of innings. The team's offense is outperforming expectations, and given Baltimore's lead, this is
the year to go for it. It could be the best window for the current group. The O's farm system is
considered a strength, but -- as Duquette noted -- they do have some players of interest, and they
aren't looking for a top-line arm, just a five- or six-inning pitcher.
Why a deal might not happen
Competition is tough. At least 10 teams have been rumored to want rotation help. While the
Orioles may have some tradeable pieces, it's easy to see a scenario where they simply get outbid.
"We will probably need some pitching depth. I'm not exactly sure where we'll get it, but that's
what we're looking to do to improve the team," Duquette said. "There's a lot of teams in
contention, and the teams that are competing, most of them are looking for the same thing."
The X Factor
Orioles rookie Dylan Bundy, who has been in the bullpen, looks poised to get a chance at the
starting rotation in the season's second half.
"That's still an option for us, that's still there," O's manager Buck Showalter said of Bundy, who
has pitched to a 3.08 ERA in relief. "He's done everything to make that more of a potential
reality. The question is when, not if."
Still, relying on Bundy to save the rotation is probably a stretch.
"Or one of our [current] pitchers will catch up to the capability they've shown previously,"
Duquette said of ways to upgrade. "Wherever those additional quality innings comes from, it
doesn't really matter. We just need some people to contribute from this group or try to find some
help."
http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/188616906/pipeline-preview-amed-rosario-on-hot-streak/
Pipeline preview: Hess featured in duel of the day
By William Boor / MLB.com
July 7, 2016
Duel of the Day: David Hess (Orioles' No. 13) vs. Thomas Eshelman (Phillies' No. 15), Bowie
vs. Reading (7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV)
Hess had a rough patch in which he allowed 20 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings, but he appeared to
get back on track in his last outing. The right-hander gave up three runs in 6 1/3 on July 3,
marking his longest outing in a little bit more than a month. Friday's start against Reading will be
a good barometer as to whether Hess has straightened things out.
Top Prospects: Hess, BAL
Eshelman was simply brilliant in June. The right-hander allowed two earned runs in 17 innings
across four starts and was then promoted to Triple-A. However, that run of success came to a
screeching halt when the calendar flipped to July. Eshelman, making his first start of the month,
gave up six runs in 1 2/3 frames on the 3rd. Making his second start of July, the Phillies' prospect
will look to erase that last outing and get back to being the pitcher that began the year throwing
so well.
http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/roster-move-tonights-game-and-more.html
Roster move, tonight’s game and more (Jimenez to start)
By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com
July 8, 2016
The Orioles will announce their remaining roster move today, with right-hander Mike
Wrightreporting from Triple-A Norfolk. That is, unless there’s something else in the works that
we’re not anticipating. It’s been known to happen.
The 25-man roster will be back to capacity.
We still need to find out whether Wright is starting or going to the bullpen. The Orioles have
wanted him to get the ball every five days and seemed committed to keeping him in Norfolk’s
rotation. His arrival at Camden Yards would appear to signal that he’s starting tonight, but you
know what happens when you assume.
Wright hasn’t started for the Orioles since June 17, when he faced the Blue Jays at Camden
Yards and allowed eight runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He started against the Angels on May
20 and surrendered two earned runs (four total) and five hits in 5 1/3 innings in the Orioles’ 9-4
win in Anaheim.
In Wright’s other career start against the Angels in his major league debut, he allowed four hits
in 7 1/3 scoreless innings, walked none and struck out six in a 3-0 victory on May 17, 2015.
The current group of Angels is 7-for-34 against Wright. Kole Calhoun is 2-for-6 with a double.
Mike Trout is 1-for-6.
Ubaldo Jimenez, the other candidate to start, faced the Angels on May 22 and allowed six runs
and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 10-2 loss. He’s 1-6 with a 4.93 ERA in seven career starts
against them.
The Angels are batting .275 against him in 131 at-bats. Yunel Escobar is 10-for-26 with two
home runs, Daniel Nava is 4-for-12 with three doubles, Albert Pujols is 8-for-28 with two
doubles, a home run and nine RBIs, and Trout is 3-for-14 with a double and six strikeouts.
Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker is 3-9 with a 4.40 ERA in 16 starts this season. He
registered quality starts in seven of eight outings before allowing five runs and nine hits in 4 2/3
innings Sunday in Boston.
The Orioles are more interested in how he shut them out on three hits over 7 1/3 innings and
struck out 12 batters on May 21. He didn’t walk a batter.
Shoemaker is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three career starts against the Orioles, with no walks and
29 strikeouts in 20 innings. In his only start at Camden Yards, he allowed one run and three hits
with seven strikeouts over seven innings.
The current Orioles are 6-for-51 with one walk and 20 strikeouts against Shoemaker. Adam
Jones is 3-for-9 with two home runs, Chris Davis is 0-for-8 with six strikeouts and Manny
Machado is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts.
* Before the start of tonight’s game, the Orioles will celebrate their first World Series
championship in 1966 with a ceremony that begins at 6 p.m. with a video tribute of their four-
game sweep over the heavily favored Dodgers.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., the Orioles will welcome back Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, Boog
Powell, Davey Johnson, Eddie Fisher, Dick Hall, Larry Haney, Bill Hunter, Bob Johnson, John
Miller, Vic Roznovsky, Russ Snyder and Eddie Watt. Robinson, Palmer and Powell will throw
out the ceremonial first pitches after the introductions.
Hall of Famer Frank Robinson is unable to attend due to a previous commitment.
The Orioles will wear 1966 replica throwback uniforms featuring a patch celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the 1966 World Series victory. The jerseys will be autographed, authenticated,
and auctioned at www.orioles.com/auction to benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation.
The auction will also include 50th anniversary jerseys autographed by participating Orioles
Alumni.
All fans in attendance will receive a 1966 50th anniversary-themed Orioles T-shirt. A fireworks
show will be held after the game.
* Left-hander Ashur Tolliver and his wife Kelli are the proud parents of a seven pound, 10 ounce
baby boy. Maverick Drake arrived yesterday.
Update: The Orioles have confirmed that Jimenez will start Friday night’s opener against the
Angels. He is 2-1 with a 5.28 ERA in his last three starts.
http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/trumbo-the-top-seed-in-home-run-
derby.html
Trumbo the top seed in Home Run Derby
By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com
July 7, 2016
Mark Trumbo is doing more than participating in Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Petco
Park in San Diego. He’s also the No. 1 seed.
Makes sense for the major league leader to rise above the rest of the field.
Trumbo will go head-to-head against the Dodgers’ Corey Seager, the eighth seed who’s hit 17
home runs. The winner will compete against the Mariners’ Robinson Cano (20) or the Marlins’
Giancarlo Stanton (19).
On the other side of the bracket, third-seed Adam Duvall (22) of the Reds faces sixth-seed Will
Myers (19) of the Padres, and second-seed and defending champion Todd Frazier (23) of the
White Sox faces seventh-seed Carlos Gonzalez (18) of the Rockies.
Trumbo hit two more home runs yesterday at Dodger Stadium to raise his total to 26.
Trumbo also participated in the 2012 Home Run Derby in Kansas City and finished in third
place.
Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) in Toronto and Miguel Tejada (2004) in Houston are the only Orioles to
win the event since its inception in 1985. Manny Machado hit 12 last year in the opening round,
but the Dodgers’ Joc Pederson eliminated him by launching his 13th with more than a minute to
spare.
Seager is just the seventh rookie to compete in the Home Run Derby, joining the Angels’ Wally
Joyner (1986), the Athletics’ Jose Canseco (1986) and Mark McGwire (1987), the Dodgers’
Mike Piazza (1993), and the Cubs’ Kris Bryant (2015) and Anthony Rizzo (2015).
http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/07/wright-remains-option-to-join-orioles.html
Wright remains option to join Orioles (updated again)
By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com
July 7, 2016
Mike Wright is still listed as Triple-A Norfolk’s starter tonight against Syracuse, but he’ll be
scratched from the assignment while remaining an option for the Orioles on Friday.
Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed earlier today that Norfolk would send a
different pitcher to the mound at Harbor Park.
The Orioles need to recall a pitcher to replace left-hander Jayson Aquino, who was optioned to
Double-A Bowie following last night’s 6-4, 14-inning win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
They also need a starter for Friday’s series opener against the Angels at Camden Yards. Ubaldo
Jimenez would be on turn, but he may be shifted to the bullpen again after another poor start
Sunday against the Mariners.
“Mike Wright would be in line to return to the team,” Duquette said. “He’s not going to start
where he is. He’s under consideration to join our club tomorrow.”
The Orioles are down to four starters in their rotation after optioning Tyler Wilson, who was
added to Norfolk’s roster earlier today, along with left-hander Ariel Miranda, who also was sent
down during the road trip.
Wright is 3-4 with a 6.12 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) with the Orioles this year. He’s registered
a 1.500 WHIP in 64 2/3 innings.
While manager Buck Showalter has indicated that Wright would benefit from staying in
Norfolk’s rotation, the right-hander is pushing for another promotion by allowing two runs in 20
2/3 innings over his three starts with the Tides.
In Saturday’s outing against Durham, Wright allowed three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings and
walked only one batter. He’d be working on an extra days’ rest if he gets the start on Friday.
The Orioles could announce the corresponding roster move for Aquino later tonight. Otherwise,
they’ll wait until Friday.
No matter the timing, Wright isn’t starting tonight at Norfolk. Nick Additon could take his turn.
The Orioles’ rotation ranks 28th in the majors with a 5.14 ERA in 456 2/3 innings. Only the
Twins (5.33) and Reds (5.30) have been worse.
Duquette continues to check the market for starters to gauge whether there’s a potential match as
the non-waiver deadline approaches. He’s also banking on better performances from pitchers
already in the organization.
“We’re looking around,” Duquette said. “We need more consistent starting pitching. When I
look in the book, I see a better record from some of the guys we have from the work they’ve
done in the past and I’m hopeful that we’ll get more consistent work in the second half of the
season with some of our veteran pitchers.
“I’m encouraged by the progression of (Kevin) Gausman and (Dylan) Bundy.”
Bundy struck out seven batters yesterday in 2 2/3 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 3.08.
Will we see Bundy in the rotation at some point this season? Perhaps sooner rather than later?
“He looked pretty good yesterday,” Duquette said, laughing. “We drafted and signed him to be a
starter. It looks like there’s an opportunity on this club.”
It’s when, not if.
“He was pretty impressive yesterday,” Duquette said.
Updated: Wright is headed to Baltimore.
Update II: Pedro Alvarez has been reinstated from the bereavement list. He takes Dariel
Alvarez’s spot on the 25-man roster.
http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/07/time-for-some-home-cooking-before-the-
break-plus-other-os-notes.html
Time for some home cooking before the break (plus other
O’s notes)
By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com
July 8, 2016
The Orioles, who own a .705 winning percentage at Camden Yards this year, are about to enjoy
some home cooking heading into the All-Star break.
After the Orioles’ 14-inning win over the Dodgers on Wednesday gave them a 4-5 road trip, the
Orioles host the Los Angeles Angels for three games beginning tonight.
The Orioles have lost just one of 14 home series. They have 10 home series wins, one loss (to
Seattle) and have tied three series at Camden Yards. The Orioles are 31-13 at home and have
been even better in recent games there. They have won five in a row and 14 of their past 17 at
home.
Tonight should be special night at Camden Yards as the Orioles celebrate the 50th anniversary of
their 1966 World Series victory. They will commemorate the first World Championship in club
history with a video tribute, followed by an on-field ceremony including 13 members of the 1966
World Series team.
The pregame video will begin at approximately 6:00 p.m., detailing the Orioles’ 4-0 sweep of the
Los Angeles Dodgers. Following the video, the Orioles will welcome back National Baseball
Hall of Famers and Orioles Legends Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson, as well as Eddie Fisher,
Dick Hall, Larry Haney, Bill Hunter, Bob Johnson, Davey Johnson, John Miller, Boog Powell,
Vic Roznovsky, Russ Snyder and Eddie Watt.
The Orioles allowed just two runs in that entire World Series and none in the last three games.
O’s pitchers were not scored on in the last 33 innings of the series and gave up just two runs and
17 hits in four games. The Orioles beat Don Drysdale in games one and four. At the age of 20,
Palmer beat Sandy Koufax in Game 2, becoming the youngest pitcher to ever throw a shutout in
the World Series. Frank Robinson, who produced a Triple Crown that season, was named the
1966 World Series MVP.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early tonight to be in place in their seats by the time that video
begins at 6:00 p.m.
More notes on the Orioles:
* The Orioles won the last two games of their series with the Dodgers despite going 3-for-23
with runners in scoring position.
* Mark Trumbo produced his fifth two-homer game of the year on Wednesday. Over his last 10
games, Trumbo is batting .341 (15-for-44) with five homers and 12 RBIs.
* The Orioles have scored 73 runs their last 11 games and 212 over their past 34 games for an
average of 6.24 per game in that time.
* Orioles starting pitchers allowed nine runs over 16 innings in the Dodgers series. O’s starters
have just six quality starts over their past 19 games with an ERA of 6.48 in that span.
* The Orioles have had 20 All-Stars over the last five seasons, since 2012. According to STATS,
LLC., the 20 All-Stars in that time ranks second in the majors behind St. Louis with 23. In that
same time, 12 different Orioles have been named All-Stars, tied for second most in the majors
behind St. Louis with 15.
Tillman snubbed?: Cleveland Indian right-hander Corey Kluber was named to the American
League All-Star team yesterday replacing Toronto’s Marco Estrada, who went on the disabled
list. Kluber has fewer wins and a higher ERA than Chris Tillman, but still got the nod. Tillman is
11-2 with an ERA of 3.55 to Kluber’s mark of 8-8 and 3.79 ERA. Kluber has the edge on
Tillman however in WHIP (1.04 to 1.23) and opponent average (.219 to .238).
But the O’s staff has certainly leaned big on Tillman this year and you can see why he is easily
the O’s staff ace. While he is 11-2 with that 3.55 ERA, the rest of the O’s rotation is a combined
17-25 with an ERA of 5.63.
Farm note: On Wednesday, Single-A Frederick Keys right fielder Conor Bierfeldt was named
the Carolina League Player of the Month for June.
In 25 June games, Bierfeldt, 25, batted .279 with six doubles, eight home runs, 19 runs and 25
RBIs. He finished with a .628 slugging percentage, .351 OBP and a .978 OPS. The Connecticut
native led the Carolina League in home runs, RBIs, total bases, extra-base hits and slugging. His
25 RBIs were second-best at the entire Single-A level while his eight home runs were tied for
second-best.
On June 29, Bierfeldt, a 29th round draft pick in 2013 from Western Connecticut State, hit a
three-run walk-off homer against the Carolina Mudcats.
http://www.masnsports.com/orioles-buzz/2016/07/for-the-fourth-year-in.html
Trumbo to participate in next week’s Home Run Derby
By Brian Eller / MASNsports.com
July 7, 2016
For the fourth year in a row, an Orioles player will try to capture a Home Run Derby title.
Following Wednesday’s win over the Dodgers, Orioles slugger Mark Trumbo told reporters he
will take part in this year’s event, which will feature four hitters from both the American League
and National League.
“I’m doing it,” Trumbo said on participating in the event.
Let’s chalk that brief comment up to being a little tired after a 14-inning game to end an even
longer road trip. In any case, this year’s Home Run Derby will feature the league’s top home run
hitter.
Trumbo has been one of baseball’s biggest surprises this season. Traded by the Seattle Mariners
in the offseason, Trumbo signed a one-year contract with the Orioles and has easily surpassed
expectations. His 26 home runs are the most in the major leagues, and helped lead him to just his
second All-Star Game appearance. The 30-year-old outfielder/designated hitter hybrid has
always been labeled as a power hitter, but his home run total this season is even more impressive
considering he hit a combined 36 home runs over the last two seasons.
This won’t be Trumbo’s first rodeo in the Derby, however. In 2012, Trumbo competed as a
member of the Angels in Kansas City, finishing third overall. He hit seven home runs in the
initial round to advance, but fell short in the semifinals against Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista.
Bautista lost in the finals to Prince Fielder.
Oddly enough, 2012 was the last time an Orioles player didn’t compete in the Derby. Chris
Davistook part in the 2013 event at Citi Field, smacking 12 home runs en route to a fourth-place
finish. In 2014, Adam Jones made it to the second round, but was outslugged by then-Athletics
outfielder and eventual champion Yoenis Cespedes. Last year, Manny Machado competed in a
revamped Home Run Derby. Players competed in an eight-man, bracket-style format. Despite
hitting 12 home runs - the fourth-highest total in the opening round - Machado lost to the
Dodgers’ Joc Pederson, who hit 13.
There hasn’t been any official word on the format for this year’s event, though the bracket-style
competition was met with success from fans last July. The Derby featured a four-minute clock
where players tried to hit as many home runs as they could. The clock added a sense of urgency
from the hitters and helped speed things along, a welcomed shakeup from previous years where
the Derby would last upwards of four hours.
Participants for this year’s Home Run Derby are still trickling in as players accept invites, but as
of Thursday, Trumbo will be joined by the Dodgers’ Corey Seager and the White Sox’ Todd
Frazier. Frazier won last year’s Derby in Cincinnati representing the host Reds.
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=360708101
Angels-Orioles preview
STATS, LLC. / ESPN
July 7, 2016
BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles certainly will be glad to come back home for this
weekend's three-game series versus the Los Angeles Angels, which starts Friday night after a
tough nine-game West Coast trip.
Baltimore plays much better at home than on the road. The Orioles boast a 31-13 record at
Camden Yards and are just 18-22 in away games after going 4-5 on the road trip that ended with
Wednesday's 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 14 innings
The Orioles, one of the best power-hitting teams in the majors, featured plenty of offense on the.
But, as has been the case for much of the season season, the starting pitching didn't come
through.
There's no question that the Orioles are going to be looking for pitching help with the trade
deadline looms in the next few weeks. Baltimore has yet to officially name a starter for Friday's
game, although it could involve using Ubaldo Jimenez or calling up Mike Wright from Triple-A
Norfolk.
But the team knows that starting pitching is an issue -- a big one.
"We will probably need some pitching depth," Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations
Dan Duquette said to MLB.com this week. "I'm not exactly sure where we'll get it, but that's
what we're looking to do to improve the team."
Despite the pitching problems, the Orioles return to Baltimore with a 49-35 record and leading
the American League East. The power hitting, defense and bullpen has been what's carried the
team so far.
Mark Trumbo hit two homers in the last game of the road trip, and the All-Star now leads the
majors with 26 overall. The Orioles also are going to be making some roster moves after sending
down outfielder Dariel Alvarez (to Triple-A Norfolk) and right-hander Jayson Aquino (to
Double-A Bowie).
They also reinstated infielder Pedro Alvarez from the bereavement list Thursday afternoon.
Right-hander Mychal Givens also will be leaving the team at some point shortly as his wife is
about to have a baby.
The Orioles have won two straight but are facing an opponent that's taken three in a row. It's the
first time the Angels (36-50) have won that many consecutive games since May.
"When you rebound and have three games like we have, you're going in the right direction,"
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after Thursday's matinee victory over the Rays. "We have
our work cut out for us. We need to keep getting better, and we're not going to get better until
really that rotation gets solid and these guys get comfortable and throwing 1/8well 3/8."
After Hector Santiago gave Scioscia seven shutout innings Thursday, Matt Shoemaker takes the
hill versus Baltimore Friday. Shoemaker's stats are a bit misleading.
He's 3-9 overall and has lost four straight decisions since his last victory on May 27.
Shoemaker's ERA is 4.40 in 16 starts but he's pitched very well during his recent losing streak.
Los Angeles, however, has not done much to help him.
The offense has scored just nine runs in those four losses, leaving Shoemaker little room for
error. Shoemaker shut down Baltimore on May 21, striking out 12 and giving up just three hits in
7 1/3 scoreless innings but coming away with a no-decision.
The Angels' bats perked up on this trip. They've scored 57 runs on the first seven games with
Baltimore being the final stop on the 10-game trip.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/16869360/mark-trumbo-todd-frazier-headline-2016-all-star-
home-run-derby-participants
Mark Trumbo, Todd Frazier lead 2016 Home Run Derby
participants
ESPN
July 8, 2016
Defending champion Todd Frazier and current home run leader Mark Trumboheadline the
participants in the 2016 Home Run Derby. The field was announced on Thursday's SportsCenter.
The derby, which will take place Monday at San Diego's Petco Park, will follow the bracket
format that began at last year's event. Matchups were seeded based on home run totals through
Wednesday's games.
Trumbo, the Orioles' right fielder, leads the majors with 26 home runs and will be the derby's
No. 1 seed. He will take on No. 8 seed Corey Seager, who has 17 homers with the Los Angeles
Dodgers in his rookie season.
Frazier, the White Sox's third baseman, is the No. 2 seed this year and is second in the American
League with 23 home runs. He will take on No. 7 seed Carlos Gonzalez, who has 18 homers this
season with the Colorado Rockies.
Frazier won last year's derby, defeating the Dodgers' Joc Pederson in the finals.
In the other matchups, No. 4 seed Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners (20 homers) is paired
with No. 5 seed Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins (19 homers), and No. 3 seed Adam
Duvall of the Cincinnati Reds (22 homers) matches up with No. 6 seed Wil Myers of the
host San Diego Padres (19 homers).
The All-Star Game will be played Tuesday.
http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/orioles-mark-trumbo-seeded-first-home-run-
derby
Orioles' Mark Trumbo Seeded First In Home Run Derby
By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic
July 7, 2016
Mark Trumbo will have stiff competition for Monday’s Home Run Derby in San Diego. Trumbo,
the Orioles slugger who leads the major leagues in home runs with 26, will be joined by Chicago
White Sox infielder Todd Frazier, who won last year’s event and Seattle’s Robinson Cano, who
won it in 2011.
Trumbo finished third in 2012 when he played for the Los Angeles Angels.
Cincinnati’s Adam Duvall, Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez, Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton, Dodgers
shortstop Corey Seager and the Padres’ Wil Myers will be the other participants.
Trumbo is seeded first, and he'll match up with Seager in the first round.
It’s the fourth consecutive year an Orioles has been in the Derby. Chris Davis (2013), Adam
Jones (2014) and Manny Machado (2015) competed.
Two Orioles, Cal Ripken (1991) and Miguel Tejada (2004) won the Home Run Derby.
NOTES: The Orioles reinstated Pedro Alvarez from the bereavement list. Following
Wednesday’s game, they optioned outfielder Dariel Alvarez to Norfolk and left-handed pitcher
Jayson Aquino to Bowie.
Mike Wright, who was scheduled to start for Norfolk, was scratched, and he may start for the
Orioles on Friday night.
https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/07/08/jim-palmer-kevin-gausman-is-going-in-the-right-
direction
Jim Palmer: Kevin Gausman Is Going In The Right
Direction
By Glenn Clark / PressBoxOnline.com
July 8, 2016
The Baltimore Orioles have a starting pitching problem.
So obviously that's not exactly breaking news, but every story needs a lede. Through 84 games,
Baltimore starting pitchers have allowed 4.62 runs per game, good for ninth in the American
League. Even more troubling -- Birds starters have averaged 5.4 innings per start, a number so
bad that in all of baseball, only the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals are worse.
What does this mean for a team trying to hold on to first place in the AL East as they approach
the All-Star break?
"Well, they have to get better," Hall of Famer Jim Palmer chuckled during a Glenn Clark Radio
interview July 7.
How does a rotation get better during the most important months of the season? One idea would
be to try and swing a deal for pitching before the July 31 trade deadline, but that might not be the
easiest of solutions for the team currently.
"If you look at last year, Toronto ended up winning [the AL East] because they had a really good
minor league system, and they were able to take three pitchers and go get David Price," Palmer
said. "We can't do that. We don't have [enough]. We have [slugging first baseman] Trey Mancini
and we have ... Trey Mancini. We have a couple of young catchers. We're what, 27th out of 30
[among minor league systems]? So they need to get better internally."
(For what it's worth, SB Nation's MinorLeagueBall.com ranked the O's as having the 27th best
minor league system before the season.)
Improving internally might not be the most plausible proposition for the organization, either.
One hope would be that right-hander Kevin Gausman could improve upon a first half that could
fairly be described as "so/so." With expectations to develop into a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, the
former first-round pick has instead put up reasonable numbers. He's 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA and
1.304 WHIP through 15 starts.
Palmer remains high on Gausman.
"I know this sounds strange," Palmer said. "He hasn't won in 21 straight road games. But every
time he goes out there, I think he's going to win, because I think he's as good or better than
anybody else we have out there, other than maybe [Chris] Tillman.
"I think he just has to come up with a third pitch. He's never embraced the slider, it's an easier
pitch to throw, probably, for strikes. At the end of the day, he still has a great arm."
In fact, Palmer remains so high on Gausman that he compared him to a certain Hall of Fame
pitcher.
"He's a little bit like me in the sense where my nickname was Brash because I asked so many
questions, because I wanted to learn from guys that had more knowledge than me," Palmer said.
"I think he's going in the right direction. We all know it's not the destination, it's the journey.
He's on the journey. The journey sometimes, there's speed bumps. He's just kind of going
through those. I kind of light up when I'm doing his numbers because I think every fifth day, he
still gives them a chance to win."
One other way some believe the rotation can improve internally is to allow another former first-
round pick the opportunity to join it. Dylan Bundy has a 3.08 ERA over 38 innings and 22
appearances this season. While he's clearly on a pitch count (even if the total is publicly
unknown), his usage has come at a pace that it isn't hard to imagine him being moved to the
rotation, and then being stretched out.
Manager Buck Showalter and vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette may have to
think creatively should they go down that path, however.
"The logistics of really not pitching more than three innings or whatever might really cause the
Orioles to have to go to 13 pitchers," Palmer said. "The Dodgers did it, mainly because they have
injuries. We don't have a lot of injuries; we just have guys that aren't pitching well. The guys
[defensively] that usually start the game for the Orioles usually finish it -- with a couple of
exceptions, maybe left field. I just think you're going to have to maybe go with an extra pitcher,
maybe piggyback Dylan Bundy until he gets his pitch count to 90, 95, 100. He's not going to
throw any more than that anyway."
While not perfectly ideal, Palmer admitted the idea may prove to be the best possible scenario
for a team desperate for pitching help.
"It probably could turn out really well, because they've kept the innings down by him being in
the bullpen," Palmer said. "He just shows every time he goes out, the last six or seven times, that
he's better than the guys starting in front of him in most cases. So I think they'll probably make a
change. I think they're just trying to figure out how that's going to happen."
https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/07/07/for-the-orioles-starting-pitching-wont-come-cheap
For The Orioles, Starting Pitching Won't Come Cheap
By Jim Henneman / PressBoxOnline.com
July 7, 2016
Since it has become an annual ritual of summer, somebody needs to set the record straight about
the Orioles and their never-ending search for a starting pitcher. That being said, it might as well
be the gang at PressBox, so here goes.
Those who keep rehashing the need to trade for a coveted starter (notice "coveted" not third- or
fourth-tiered candidate) need to come to grips with reality -- and here it is:
If you want the Orioles to trade for a pitcher the caliber of Matt Moore or Chris Archer (either of
whom is available from Tampa Bay at the right price) you have to be willing to start the offer
with Dylan Bundy ... not Mark Trumbo. And you probably have to be willing to add on if you
want to get a response. Don't like that possibility and want to try another? OK, take a look at see
what Jonathan Schoop would bring on the open market. That might work, but good luck with
that one.
The Rays are believed to be ready to re-stock their farm system now that they have become also-
rans in the competitive American League East. They are one of the few teams with enough
pitching to make such a move. But they are not going to trade for a player about to become a free
agent. It will take a top-of-the-line prospect to even get a response.
As the Orioles have found out in the past (see the Cubs and Scott Feldman, the Astros and Bud
Norris) starting pitchers are expensive -- even those who fit into the middle or back end of a
rotation.
A few weeks ago, Pedro Martinez (who probably still has Dan Duquette's ear -- don't forget the
O's tried to lure him out of retirement before he was elected to the Hall of Fame) suggested on
MLB.TV the Orioles should package Bundy and top-prospect Hunter Harvey for a legitimate
No. 1 or No. 2 starter.
If 2016 is an "all-in" year (don't we hear that every season?) then a Bundy-Harvey package
probably makes sense. But the idea of trading Trumbo, who actually is a perfect fit for this team,
as a short-term rental isn't going to cut it. Besides Tampa Bay, the Angels, A's and Twins, in the
AL, and the Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Reds, Rockies, Diamondbacks and Padres, in the National
League, are teams willing to deal -- but check out who might be available, and you're most likely
to find leftovers.
Say what you want, but the Orioles' trades for Feldman and Norris did what they were supposed
to do at the time they were made, -- provide some depth to the starting rotation. And, in the case
of Norris, it carried over to the division-winning 2014 season. At the time of those deals, the
Orioles were looking down the road at a potential rotation that would include Chris Tillman,
Kevin Gausman and Bundy, with Harvey a short step away.
Fast forward after hitting a bump in the road, and they are still looking forward to that rotation.
There's no question the Orioles need to pitch better if they are going to stay in contention. That
might even necessitate Bundy moving into the picture, despite the club's insistence it will not
alter its course.
The idea of trading for a starting pitcher is as enticing for the Orioles as it is for the Red Sox,
who have enough young talent on the major league roster to take the gamble. But it just isn't as
realistic.
They may dabble on the trade market, as they did with Joe Saunders four years ago, and
Feldman, Norris and Andrew Miller during the next two. But if anybody has any thoughts of a
splashy trade to get the Orioles over the hump, unless they are willing to talk Bundy, Harvey or
even Schoop, then you can forget it.
It might not sound like the best game plan, but the Orioles' task is as simple as it is difficult, and
almost certainly it has to come from within.
Pitch better.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/07/07/boog-powell-talks-50th-anniversary-of-1966-world-
series/
Boog Powell Talks 50th Anniversary of 1966 World Series
CBS Baltimore
July 7, 2016
Orioles Hall of Famer Boog Powell joined the Scott Garceau Show with Jeremy Conn to talk
about the 50th
Anniversary of the 1966 World Series team.
The 1966 Baltimore Orioles swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series to capture the
first Championship in franchise history. Powell talked about the club’s state of mind going into
that series after many considered them underdogs. “There was only one guy who had any World
Series experience and that was Frank [Robinson]…We were pretty loose as a group. Moe
Drabowsky was always pulling some crazy stunt or doing something crazy. He brought a boa
constrictor into the clubhouse before the first game of the World Series.”
Powell hit .357 during that World Series against the Dodgers’ stingy pitching. He spoke about
his impressive hitting performance. “I don’t remember how I did that. I do know that I got two
hits off of [Sandy] Koufax. Two of Sandy’s curveballs. And I got the next to last hit off of
Koufax before Davey Johnson got the last hit off of Koufax before he retired.”
Powell, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson combined for 105 homeruns and 331 RBI’s that
season. Powell discussed the club’s potent lineup. “[Hank Bauer] always claimed that he
could’ve put that lineup frontwards or backwards, upside down or right side up and we would’ve
still won no matter what because it was that good of a lineup.”
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/07/07/mark-trumbo-will-participate-in-home-run-derby/
Mark Trumbo Will Participate In Home Run Derby
CBS Baltimore
July 7, 2016
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Mark Trumbo hit two home runs during Wednesday’s 14-inning win
over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trumbo currently leads the majors with 26 home runs.
Trumbo said he will participate in the Home Run Derby as part of next week’s All-Star Game
festivities in San Diego. “I’m doing it,” he said after the game.
Trumbo was last at the Home Run Derby in 2012 when he was a member of the Angels.
Let’s Go Os!
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/07/07/the-five-most-hilarious-best-of-buck-moments/
The Five Most Hilarious ‘Best of Buck’ Moments
CBS Baltimore
July 7, 2016
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Birdland would not be complete without the beloved skipper Buck
Showalter and MASN’s most recent video of the “Best of Buck” shows just why he’s the very
best.
Here are our top five favorite hilarious Buck moments:
1. That one time Buck tried really hard to impress the guys with his pop culture and said,
“Hey, did you hear that song by…Rih-an-ya?”
2. When Buck attempted to list the rappers he’s familiar with: “I know Drake, I got that.
Eminem, I got him. Some guy named 10 cent, something like that… ’50 Cent?’ Yeah.”
3. Buck sharing his feelings on the other birds, the real ones: “Birds are way too loud…then
you get the anxiety that you can’t sleep and they’re chirping.”
4. Buck being an architect: “Who designed this dugout? Where’s the rest of it?”
5. That time we had no idea what he was actually talking about, but are also very scared to
know the truth: “Put ’em in the stuff like my mother put my tonsils in and carry ’em out
the door. I could’ve snuck mine out. Those would have made great earrings.”
http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/07/07/mark-trumbo-hits-two-more-bombs-leads-all-of-baseball-
with-26-homers/
Mark Trumbo hits two more bombs, leads all of baseball
with 26 homers
By Craig Calcaterra / NBC Sports
July 7, 2016
Mark Trumbo was traded away from Seattle last December for basically nothing. He’s making
them regret that this year.
Trumbo went 3-for-6 with a double, two solo home runs and three runs scored in yesterday’s win
over the Dodgers. He’s now hitting .285/.334/.570 with a major league leading 26 homers and 64
runs driven in. That’s a 50-home run pace. Trumbo has hit 30+ homers twice, but that was three
and four years ago. He hit 14 homers in 2014 and 22 last season.
Yesterday it was announced that Trumbo would take part in the Home Run Derby. It’s well-
deserved. Not bad for a guy that only cost the Orioles Steve Clevenger.
http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/2016/7/8/friday-replay-buck-showalter-attempts-the-
handshake
Friday Replay: Buck Showalter Attempts "The Handshake"
By Max Weiss / Baltimore Magazine
July 08, 2016
Buck Showalter did his version of the Orioles handshake and it was… Well, just watch.
Can’t blame the guy for being a little giddy. The Os skipper had just beaten the Dodgers in an
epic 14-inning battle of wits. In the bottom of the 14th, he intentionally walked the bases loaded,
knowing the Dodgers had no reserves left, forcing them to bring their pitcher to the plate with
two outs. Predictably, reliever Chris Hatcher dribbled a weak one back to the mound and the
Orioles won the game. Who says the American League can't beat the National League at its own
game?
O's send five players to next Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
MVP-candidate Manny Machado is starting at third base. Catcher Matt Wieters and new
acquisition Mark Trumbo (he of the 26 home runs—there’s a reason they call him Trum-bomb)
are reserves. Ace closer Zach Britton is in the bullpen along with set-up man Brad Brach, which
is something of a surprise—it’s rare for non starters and non-closers to make the All-Star team,
although Darren O’Day did it last season. Just proves how great the Orioles bullpen truly is—and
that the league has taken notice.
Michael Phelps bringing home more gold?
According to a computer-generated predictor, Michael Phelps and Jordan Spieth will lead the
medal count for the United States. Works for us.
O's pay tribute to the ’66 World Series champs.
Fifty years later, 16 members of the championship team—including Jim Palmer, Brooks
Robinson, and Boog Powell—will take part in an on-field ceremony prior to tonight's game.
Bring your hats, gloves, and hankies—it’s sure to get emotional.
http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/07/08/dylan-bundy-dilemma-will-short-term-fix/
The Dylan Bundy Dilemma: He’d fill a short-term need, but
could that jeopardize his future health?
By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com
July 8, 2016
Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy faced 12 batters in relief Wednesday in the Orioles’ 14-inning
road victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He allowed three hits and two walks in 2 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out seven. Do the
math. Every out he recorded was via strikeout.
For the season, the 23-year-old former first-rounder is 2-1 with a 3.08 ERA in 38 innings through
22 relief appearances. He’s allowed 46 hits, 12 walks and fanned 32 batters.
Perhaps the most important number from Wednesday’s game is 56. That’s how many pitches he
threw. In his last four outings, Bundy has thrown 46, 57, 36 and 56. In that span, he has logged
11 innings, allowed one unearned run and struck out 16 batters while walking three.
Also, look at the spacing of his outings since June began. He pitched June 4, was off four days
and pitched June 9, off five days and pitched June 15, another four days off and pitched June 20,
five days off and pitched June 26, three days off and pitched June 30 and had five more days of
rest before his overpowering performance Thursday.
It’s an incredibly small sample size, but so far his big league numbers are better when he has
four days off (.154 opponents average) and six days off (.143 opponents’ average) than in any
other scenario.
He’s a starter. He knows he’s a starter. You know he is a starter. The Orioles know he is a starter.
They’ve discussed internally the idea of moving him from the bullpen and will continue to weigh
the pros and cons – that’s their jobs.
In a perfect world, Bundy would have begun this year in Double-A Bowie’s rotation, moved to
Triple-A by mid-May and be hankering for a call-up now.
But because he signed a major-league deal as a draft pick, and because most of his last three
seasons were spent on the disabled list, he is out of minor-league options. Therefore, the Orioles
have to keep him on their 25-man roster or expose him to waivers.
Their only choice in April was to put him in the bullpen, and monitor his innings and health
there.
There was never a real intent to have him start this year – or at least not for more than a couple
games at the end of the season.
But that mindset was back when the Orioles had other starting pitching alternatives, or thought
they did. And that was when no one knew exactly how Bundy would respond to pitching in the
majors.
He is responding well. And he is healthy and productive. And he is now three years removed
from elbow (Tommy John) surgery, which should be well out of the danger zone.
But he’s barely a year removed from being shut down with a calcification in his shoulder/back
area that cost him most of 2015. He also was limited in the Arizona Fall League due to arm
soreness. So it’s pretty obvious that the Orioles need to be careful with what arguably is the best
arm in their organization.
And they have been careful – he hasn’t yet pitched 40 innings in half a season this year. They’ve
been doing this right, picking his spots, giving him rest.
But that’s where the rub comes in. Because his innings total obviously will increase if he enters
the rotation. And, really, no one knows how he’ll respond physically. Consider that he threw 103
1/3 innings at age 19 in his first season as a pro in 2012. And then consider that he has thrown
101 1/3 innings since – in a span of three-and-a-half seasons.
You could call him rested and ready. Or inexperienced and vulnerable.
The Orioles do not want to mortgage his – and their – future by putting him into the rotation if it
means they could lose him to a long-term injury. And the conservative approach would be
keeping him in the bullpen all or most of this season.
But then there is the devil on the other shoulder. Bundy clearly has more of an upside than any
current starting candidate besides Kevin Gausman. The Orioles are in first place and must
improve their shaky rotation to stay there. And they don’t have enough in movable prospects to
bring in a top of the rotation starter via trade this month.
The Orioles so far have eschewed the notion of moving him from the bullpen because there is a
need in the rotation. And even if they do it now, they certainly won’t point to the need, since that
would give the impression the club is looking short-term and not long-term.
No, if the Orioles move Bundy, they’ll say it’s because he is ready, physically and otherwise.
And the problem – the true dilemma surrounding Dylan Bundy – is there’s no way of knowing if
that is true until you try it.
http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/07/07/draft-update-os-sign-top-20-palmeiro-bonilla-
blohm-not-signed/
Draft update: O’s sign most of Top 20; Palmeiro, Bonilla,
Blohm not signed yet
By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com
July 7, 2016
With roughly a week left to sign 2016 draft picks, the Orioles have pretty much inked all of their
first 20-rounders, though a few of the players that are not in the fold yet are some of the more
recognizable names in that group
According to Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich, the Orioles’ highest drafted player this June
that has not signed is North Carolina State first baseman Preston Palmeiro, a seventh-rounder
who is the son of former Orioles’ great Rafael Palmeiro.
Rajsich, who doesn’t publicly go into details of the team’s negotiations, said he is optimistic that
the club can still agree to terms with Palmeiro (pictured above), but talks are currently at a
standstill.
Another son of a former Oriole, left-hander Brandon Bonilla out of Hawaii Pacific University,
has not signed. The 13th rounder is the son of longtime major league outfielder Bobby Bonilla.
The Orioles also have not reached terms with Archbishop Spalding lefty Tyler Blohm, who was
selected in the 17th round. Rajsich said Blohm, a member of BaltimoreBaseball.com’s inaugural
Diamond Nine team, had indicated he was headed to the University of Maryland to play
collegiate baseball. But Rajsich said the club is still open to negotiating with Blohm.
Deals must be agreed to by 5 p.m. on July 15 – a week from Friday.
Rajsich said he believes the club will sign roughly 32 to 33 of their 41 picks, including almost all
of their Top 20.
“I’m very pleased,” Rajsich said. “I thought we had a good draft, and I’m excited for them all to
get going and seeing them play.”
In another Orioles’ note, the team announced that Pedro Alvarez has been activated from the
bereavement list. He’ll be in uniform Friday.
