Good morning, Camden Chatters.<\/p>\n
Orioles spring training is in full swing, and it\u2019s glorious. Pitchers and position players are out and about on the Sarasota fields. Reporters are on the scene to cover every batting practice and warmup session and to collect optimistic quotes from various Orioles about the season ahead. As those of us in Maryland and surrounding areas continue to slog through frigid temperatures and piles of snowcrete that won\u2019t be melting anytime soon, it\u2019s heartening to know that it feels like spring somewhere.<\/p>\n
One Oriole making a big first impression at camp is this year\u2019s prize signing, Pete Alonso. The veteran slugger is already socking dingers in BP, running himself ragged in defensive drills, and setting the tone as the vocal leader of the team. He\u2019s fitting in like he\u2019s been an Oriole all his life.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a reason the Orioles were willing to shell out $155 million and shock the baseball world by signing Alonso, and it\u2019s not just because he hits dingers. OK, it\u2019s mostly because he hits dingers. But he\u2019s also considered to be an excellent locker room guy, someone who can be a mentor to younger players and help connect different corners of the clubhouse.<\/p>\n
Among the many problems with the sad-sack 2025 Orioles is that they seemed \u2014 at least from a distance \u2014 to have a severe leadership void. Once things started going south for the Birds early in the season, the team was powerless to overcome its slide, and it was as if a defeatist mentality seemed to permeate into the team\u2019s play. The Orioles wanted to improve but they didn\u2019t know how to get themselves out of their funk, and it felt like there was never a leader to step up and galvanize the team when the going got rough.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where Alonso could be worth his weight in gold. If he can boost morale in the clubhouse and also set an example with his play on the field, he can make everyone around him better. It\u2019s no secret that plenty of young, homegrown Orioles didn\u2019t play up to their potential last season. But this time, they\u2019ve got the Polar Bear on their side. And that could make a real difference.<\/p>\n
The loudest player so far at O\u2019s camp? Pete Alonso, no question – MLB.com<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s more from Jake Rill about Alonso\u2019s early impact at camp\u2026including the impact his bat made with a Tyler Wells pitch.<\/p>\n Orioles excited about Bassitt\u2019s addition; Kjerstad\u2019s a full participant in camp – BaltimoreBaseball.com<\/a><\/p>\n The Orioles are toying with the idea of a six-man rotation after adding Chris Bassitt. But based on what we\u2019ve seen in the last few years of O\u2019s camp, I\u2019ll be shocked if all six starting pitchers make it through spring training healthy.<\/p>\n Mountcastle happy to be back in Orioles camp and waiting to learn how he\u2019s used with Alonso on roster – School of Roch<\/a><\/p>\n