Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where Chance Sisco cannot stop hitting home runs

Morning, Birdland!

This is not the first time that an Orioles player has had a break out spring. We all remember Jake Fox hitting 10 home run over 27 games back in 2011. Fox would be designated for assignment only a couple of months into the regular season.

Now it’s Chance Sisco’s turn to steal the pre-season spotlight. Sisco is on pace to be even better than Fox. Through four games, Sisco is 5-for-8 with four home runs, nine RBI, two walks and just one strikeout. It’s an unsustainable pace, of course, but it’s an encouraging sign following such a disappointing 2018 season (.181/.288/.269).

What makes it even more interesting is that the Orioles currently own the top pick in this summer’s draft. At this moment, Oregon State backstop Adley Rutschman is slated to be the first person off the board. Could a breakout season from Sisco play a factor in whether they select Rutschman?

It shouldn’t. The Orioles farm system needs as much talent as it can get. If they think Rutschman is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, he should be the pick. Having too many good players is never a problem.

Links

Jesús Sucre on the way to O’s; first round of cuts will be coming soon - Baltimore Sun
The Orioles catching situation remains up in the air despite Chance Sisco’s recent breakout. Jesus Sucre has missed all of spring training so far, but he still stands a solid chance of breaking camp with the big league club considering his defensive abilities.

Wrapping up a 10-5 loss - School of Roch
All of the tidbits and quotes from game one of Friday’s action.

Austin Wynns on catching Hunter Harvey - Steve Melewski
There has been a lot of buzz about Hunter Harvey at spring training. It’s unclear what his role will be in 2019. The Orioles would love to see him emerge as the viable rotation piece he once seemed poised to become. His injury history may never allow that to happen. Either way, he is likely destined for Bowie to begin the season, but could be a mainstay in the O’s bullpen by the end of the summer.

One-on-One with Orioles GM Mike Elias - Baltimore Baseball
Positivity aplenty! Please let this Orioles honeymoon last forever.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

• Right-handed pitcher Bud Norris is 34 years old. The current free agent spent parts of three seasons with the Orioles. He will be remembered for a steady 2014 season in which he went 15-8 with a 3.65 ERA and then put forth an ALDS-clinching performance in that postseason.
• Outfielder Jay Gibbons celebrates his 42nd birthday. The left-handed hitter was a prominent member of the dark ages Orioles. He hit .260/.314/.453 with 121 home runs over parts of seven seasons in Baltimore from 2001 through 2007.
• Infielder Leo Gomez turns 53. The Puerto Rican born player played with the O’s for parts of six seasons from 1990 through 1995, hitting .245/.334/.414 with a top 10 Rookie of the Year finish along the way.
• It’s a posthumous celebration for outfielders Joe Taylor (b. 1926, d. 1993), a member of the O’s for 50 games in the late 1950’s, and Cal Abrams (b. 1924, d. 1997), a two-season Oriole in the mid-50’s.