Team overviews:
Burning questions confronting each club, plus 40-man rosters and stats, camp info and spring training schedules.
❚ American League teams, Pages 8-22
❚ National League teams,
Pages 23-37
Who follows John Means in the rotation?
As always, there are a lot of unanswered questions involving the rotation, which used 18 pitchers in 2019. The departure of Dylan Bundy hurts. That leaves John Means, an All-Star in 2019, to head the rotation after a successful rookie season.
Alex Cobb and Asher Wojciechowski, if healthy, will hold down the next two spots. Cobb, who was productive in the second half of the 2018 season, is rebounding from a hip injury that sidelined him for much of 2019. Other than Means, Wojciechowski is the only returning pitcher with any significant starts.
Others who will get a look? Wade LeBlanc, 35, is a veteran with experience. Kohl Stewart, a 2013 first-round pick by the Twins, has potential. David Hess, who spent time in the bullpen, could return as a starter.
Then there is prospect Keegan Akin, 24, and Rule 5 draftees Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker who will get a look.
What can they look forward to in 2020?
Let’s face it, the Orioles are going to be bad – and likely finish with 100+ losses for the third consecutive season. According to USA TODAY Sports’ record projection for 2020, they will lose 105 games, three fewer than 2019 and 10 fewer than 2018. But the club has two young players to build around. Outfielder Trey Mancini, 27, had a breakout season and finished with a .291/.364/.535 slash line with 35 homers and 97 RBI. Means, who posted a 3.60 ERA in 31 games, looks to build on his stellar rookie season.