Wednesday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles have the day off

Good morning, Birdland!

In case you missed it, the Orioles are being given the day off today after Hurricane Dorian forced them to play two games against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. I know you’re upset about going a full day without baseball, but the O’s will be back on the field tomorrow as they begin a four-game series at Camden Yards against the Texas Rangers.

The twin-billing was filled with some compelling moments. The O’s won game one, which saw the return of Mark Trumbo, the promotion of Mason Williams and lots of other good stuff.

Game two was less fun. A poor umpiring decision took runs off the board for the Orioles, both Brandon Hyde and Trey Mancini were ejected and it was a mixed bag in the field for the Birds.

As is the life of a last-place team in a season’s final few weeks.

Links & Notes

Orioles Select Mason Williams, Designate Jace Peterson - MLB Trade Rumors
This move makes a lot of sense. Williams has had a pretty impressive season with Triple-A Norfolk, where he has batted .308/.371/.477 with a 117 wRC+. He deserves another MLB shot and could have a chance to break 2020 spring training with the O’s as the starting center fielder as the organization lacks much depth at that position following Cedric Mullins’s disastrous season.

Orioles add six more to September roster - Baltimore Baseball
There is an outside chance that the O’s add another name or two once every affiliate’s postseason’s are over, but that possibility is remote. Austin Hays is headed to the Arizona Fall League with an eye on spring training. Ryan Mountcastle will get a full off-season before he goes to Sarasota for big league camp in February. Many of the team’s top prospects will need to wait a while before making plans for Baltimore.

Tate wants to keep earning Hyde’s trust - School of Roch
The Tommy Pham beef with the Orioles is pretty dumb, but Dillion Tate seems to be handling it in stride. I can’t quite figure out Tate just yet. He seems like a guy with a quiet confidence, at least publicly. Also, he is a good position to make this team out of the spring if he’s able to command his pitches a bit better, which tends to prove difficult at times for even the most seasoned veteran, let alone a rookie.

Orioles face uphill battle chasing Detroit for No. 1 pick - NBC Sports Washington
It will come down to the four-game series between the two teams later this month. If the Tigers do anything less than sweep the O’s, then the number one pick is likely to remain in Motor City. That’s fine. Sure, in theory it would be nice for the Birds to have the pick of absolutely anyone in the entire draft, but there will still be plenty of talent one spot later.

In not promoting Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles making decision for future with consideration for past - Baltimore Sun
Every informed person I have seen check in on the decision to not promote Austin Hays or Ryan Mountcastle this September seems to be in agreement. It makes no sense to rush a prospect who still has some glaring holes in his development. This is true for both players, but especially Mountcastle, who has some serious issues with plate discipline and defense.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Infielder Luis Lopez, who played for the O’s in 2002 and 2003, turns 49 today. Doyle Alexander, a right-handed pitcher that spent parts of five seasons in Baltimore between 1972 and ‘76 while producing league average results (102 ERA+ in 593 innings), is 69 today. And we are giving a posthumous birthday shoutout to Eddit Waitkus (b. 1919, d. 1972), a first baseman that was a part of both the 1954 and ‘55 Orioles teams.

1960 - The Orioles allow the Yankees to score a run for the first time in 30 innings. But the good guys still win, 6-2.

2012 - The Rogers Centre roof in Toronto is not closed fast enough, forcing the O’s and Blue Jays to sit through an unexpected rain delay. The Orioles win 12-0 and take sole control of first place in the AL East.