Invitations sent
Here are the four types of players the Orioles invited to spring camp
The Orioles on Thursday announced their initial list of nonroster invitees to spring training, a group that nearly doubles the number of players they’ll have in major league camp when it begins in Sarasota, Florida, later this month. The 30-player list, which could change if Baltimore makes more moves in the coming weeks, includes both a cadre of the club’s top prospects and players who will contend for spots on the backend of the Orioles’ 26-man roster that will begin the season March 30 against the Boston Red Sox.
With pitchers and catchers set to report to Sarasota on Feb. 15, here are the four types of players the Orioles invited to spring training.
Including those who will already be in major league camp because they’re on Baltimore’s 40-man roster, the Orioles will have all of their top 10 prospects in Sarasota, according to Baseball America’s rankings. Nineteen members of the publication’s most recent top 30 list from August are now on the Orioles’ spring training roster.
That includes each of their past three first-round draft picks, each officially in big league camp for the first time. 2022 first overall selection Jackson Holliday gets to start his first professional spring training on the major league side. Heston Kjerstad, 2020’s No. 2 pick, will also get the experience for the first time after dealing with heart and hamstring issues the previous two springs. Colton Cowser played in a handful of major league exhibitions last year, but 2021’s fifth overall pick figures to make more frequent appearances after finishing last year in Triple-A.
Infielders Jordan Westburg and Connor Norby also ended 2022 at the highest minor league affiliate and aren’t far off from making their debuts.
Left-hander Cade Povich, the centerpiece of last summer’s four-player package from the Minnesota Twins for All-Star closer Jorge López, reached Double-A after the deal, with infielders Coby Mayo and César Prieto also topping out at that level; that possibly puts each in reach of a 2023 debut.
With the likes of Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall and others already set to be in camp, Thursday’s news showed how much of Baltimore’s future will be on display throughout the spring.
Anthony Bemboom, Daz Cameron, Lewin Díaz, Mark Kolozsvary, Ryan O’Hearn, Chris Vallimont
Each of these players spent time on the Orioles’ 40-man roster this offseason but will enter camp off it.
Anthony Bemboom and Mark Kolozsvary will provide catching depth throughout spring, potentially competing for a major league spot should an injury prevent either projected starter Adley Rutschman or backup James McCann from being available opening day.
The Orioles twice claimed Lewin Díaz on waivers and twice designated him for assignment, with three other teams also removing him from their 40-man rosters in a two-month span before he finally cleared waivers to stick with Baltimore. Both he and Ryan O’Hearn are among a large group of nonroster left-handed hitters jockeying to serve as depth behind Ryan Mountcastle at first base.
A former top prospect who the Houston Astros selected 37th overall in 2015 while Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias oversaw their drafts, Daz Cameron hasn’t lived up to the potential in the majors but offers outfield depth.
A right-handed pitcher, Chris Vallimont recently ranked among Baltimore’s top 30 prospects and pitched well at Double-A Bowie after being claimed from the Twins, but he struggled in Triple-A and didn’t make it through Baltimore’s offseason roster churn. Another pitcher, left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez, will fall in this category if he remains with the Orioles after being designated for assignment last week to open a roster spot for trade acquisition Cole Irvin.