03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 16
MLB ’24 AL EAST PREVIEW BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Sunday, March 24, 2024 16
2023: 101-61, first place, lost to Texas in Division Series | Manager: Brandon Hyde (sixth season) | Opening Day: March 28 vs. Los Angeles Angels
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
INF Gunnar Henderson (.255,
28 HRs, 82 RBIs, 100 runs), OF
Anthony Santander (.257, 28, 95,
41 doubles), 1B Ryan Mountcastle
(.270, 18, 68).
ONE TO WATCH
C Adley Rutschman
(.277, 20, 80, 31
doubles, 92 walks)
PROJECTED HEALTHY ROTATION
RH Corbin Burnes (10-8, 3.39
ERA, 200 Ks with Milwaukee), RH
Grayson Rodriguez (7-4, 4.35), RH
Kyle Bradish (12-7, 2.83), RH Dean
Kremer (13-5, 4.12), LH John Means
(1-2, 2.66 in 4 starts).
KEY RELIEVERS
RH Craig Kimbrel (8-6, 3.26 ERA,
23 saves with Philadelphia), RH
Yennier Cano (1-4, 2.11, 8 saves),
LH Danny Coulombe (5-3, 2.81), LH
Cionel Pérez (4-2, 3.54).
OUTLOOK
The Orioles have arrived as
contenders in the American
League, and they’re still not done
producing top prospects. Touted
infielder Jackson Holliday should be
the next to arrive after Rutschman
led the team back to respectability
in 2022 and Henderson won AL
Rookie of the Year honors last
season. Rodriguez is also a factor
after looking sharp toward the
end of his debut season in 2023.
Baltimore used some of its surplus of young talent to acquire
Burnes and give its rotation a bona
fide ace, and that trade could be
important with Bradish and Means
dealing with health issues in the
run-up to opening day. Another
injury concern for the Orioles is star
closer Félix Bautista, who missed
the end of last season and had
Tommy John surgery. Kimbrel was
signed to replace him.
KENNETH K. LAM/
BALTIMORE SUN
HE’S HERE
RHP Corbin Burnes (left), RHP Craig Kimbrel, INF Kolten Wong, RHP Julio Teheran, INF Nick Maton, INF Tyler Nevin.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
2B Adam Frazier, RHP Kyle Gibson, RHP Jack Flaherty, LHP DL Hall, RHP Shintaro Fujinami, RHP Austin Voth.
Note: Personnel may change as section was printed before start of regular season
— Associated Press
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