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Good morning, Camden Chatters.
If you were holding out hope for a convoy of Orioles to represent the American League in this year’s All-Star Game, well, it’s probably time to give up the dream.
MLB released the first All-Star voting update yesterday, and the Orioles aren’t leading at any position. They’re also not second at any position. Or third. Or fourth. Or...
Well, I’ll just save you some time. Only one Oriole is even in the top 10 at any position, and somehow it’s Chris Davis, who squeaks in at 10th among first basemen with 70,010 votes. That’s possibly because he’s the most recognizable Oriole, or perhaps a sizable chunk of the voters haven’t followed baseball since 2015.
Elsewhere, the Orioles’ best hitter so far, Trey Mancini, ranks 17th among outfielders with 100,457 votes. Three will be voted in. It seems unlikely Mancini will climb 14 spots in the polls over the next couple of weeks to claim one of those spots.
All other Orioles on the ballot are MIA in the voting results. Shocking, I know. But it turns out most baseball fans don’t want to vote for players they’ve never heard of, even those who are having decent seasons, like Pedro Severino.
The O’s, by rule, will send at least one player to this year’s All-Star Game. Mancini is the most likely candidate to be picked as a reserve, although Severino or John Means are possibilities.
Still, even with the ballots open for another 11 days, it’s safe to say we won’t be seeing any Orioles voted in as starters. A rebuilding club carrying a patchwork roster just isn’t going to win a popularity contest. Or even finish in the top 10.
Links
On Orioles’ top draftee Adley Rutschman: A scouting report from the opposing dugout – The Athletic
Dan Connolly talks to three recent Orioles draftees from Stanford about their Pac-12 competitor, Adley Rutschman. As you might expect, they have nothing but good things to say.
Mr. Baseball Gunnar Henderson’s big decision still looms: Auburn or Orioles? - al.com
O’s second round pick Gunnar Henderson says he hasn’t decided whether to sign with the Orioles or attend Auburn. I have a feeling I know what his decision will be. Mike Elias wouldn’t have wasted the No. 42 overall pick on a guy he wasn’t confident in signing.
A few of the Orioles’ previous late-round draft picks are having success in 2019 - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Sure, the top draft picks get all the press, but sometimes the obscure guys from rounds 21-40 can contribute, too. I highlighted a few lower-tier O’s minor leaguers who are having solid seasons. Tyler Erwin FTW!
Santander honored for spectacular double play - Orioles.com
There is apparently something called the Play of the Week Award presented by W.B. Mason? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. But anyway, Anthony Santander won it thanks to his game-saving double play in Houston. So, congrats!
Orioles acquire Eshelman from Phillies - School of Roch
Mike Elias continues to slough off the Orioles’ mostly useless international signing bonus slots for whatever he can get, this time some Triple-A pitching depth. I still wonder why any teams are trading for these slots when they expire on July 1 and there’s nothing left on the international market. But you do you, Phillies.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! I regret to inform you that nobody who has ever played for the Orioles shares your birthday. Sorry, friend.
On this day in 1999, O’s manager Ray Miller benched moody slugger Albert Belle because he didn’t run out a grounder the previous day. That ended Belle’s consecutive games streak at 392, which was the longest active one at the time. He was only 2,241 away from breaking Cal Ripken’s record! History could’ve been so much different if only Belle had run out that ground ball. And played until age 45 without a day off. And not had that degenerative hip condition.