Baltimore Orioles: Mike Elias Continues To Inject Optimism

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias continues to inject a high amount of optimism into the minds of fans.

Loose, fun, and efficient. Those were just some of the words used by new Baltimore Orioles GM Mike Elias during his interview with Ben McDonald and Jim Hunter in the second inning of Saturday’s Grapefruit League win.

The new man in charge spoke on a number of topics during yesterday’s broadcast, including the use of analytics and cameras to fine-tune pitching grips and make small mechanical changes with deliveries this spring, the excitement around young catcher Chance Sisco and top prospect Yusniel Diaz, and the overall atmosphere of his first spring training with the Baltimore Orioles.

I don’t want to over-hype a win on February 23rd against a split-squad Minnesota Twins lineup that did not include Jonathan Schoop, Nelson Cruz, C.J. Cron, Marwin Gonzalez, or anyone else of note, but this was the first time we got to see Orioles players out on the field.

Those three words that started this article- loose, fun, and efficient- can also be used as adjectives for this first spring training game. I’m anxious to see this continue over the next few weeks. That doesn’t mean waiting to see this team continue to stockpile wins, but continue to play loose and efficiently.

Short, quick swings by Chance Sisco, good defense by young players like Ryan Mountcastle and Drew Jackson, and good pitch mixes and locations as exhibited by guys like Josh Rogers, Zach Pop, and even Mike Wright. With a more loose, yet structured, atmosphere in camp, a young manager trying to find his way in Hyde, and competition at nearly every position, hopefully, this theme continues throughout camp.

It won’t always turn into wins and that is fine. It’s about development, one small step at a time. “There’s enthusiasm, a sense of calm, and competition,” said Ben McDonald in regards to the current status of the organization after the interview with Elias. We didn’t see much of that last season. There really wasn’t anything to look forward to last season. Not anymore. There’s hope and optimism and it has all started from the top of the organization.

Maybe I’m just high on the sights and sounds of major league baseball and an unhealthy amount of time at local college diamonds after a long winter, but I become a fan of Mike Elias a bit more every day and I’m more than willing to put all of my trust into him.

It may be a long process, but that doesn’t mean this Baltimore Orioles rebuild won’t be fun.

The rebuild kicked into gear with the trading away of Manny Machado. Apologies to Brandon Hyde but we have to call this what it is, a drastic rebuild. But I do love his optimism and desire to avoid using the word “rebuild”, even if that’s what it is.

The return for the now starting third baseman of the San Diego Padres was headlined by outfielder Yusniel Diaz. Rated the top Orioles prospect by most outlets, Elias spoke about Diaz on Saturday afternoon, saying, “He looks awesome. I think that’s going to turn out to be a great trade for this organization.”

Watch his home run from yesterday, for likely the 50th time. He gets out a little early on an offspeed pitch but is able to keep his hands back and wait before unleashing his pure strength and sending the ball deep over the left-field wall.

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Diaz hit just .239 in his 38 games with the Bowie Baysox after the trade but he did drill five home runs in 134 plate appearances after hitting six in 220 with the Tulsa Drillers, the AA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. As with every other prospect received at last year’s deadline, it is hard to evaluate a player in 30-odd games after switching franchises late in the season. Come June or July, will the Orioles be looking for a way to add Diaz to the 25-man roster and give him playing time? I’d bet on that.

Saturday was a great start and hearing the general manager of the Baltimore Orioles talk about progression with the help of modern day technology and techniques, along with his MLB draft talk and how he feels confident in the player they will select number one overall later this summer (with his scouting experience added into the evaluation), the train is rolling, fans are jumping on board, and greener pastures lie ahead (see below).

The Baltimore Orioles continue their spring slate on Sunday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays. David Hess will take the mound to kick things off while veterans Chris Davis, Trey Mancini, and Alcides Escobar make their spring debuts, along with young outfielders DJ Stewart and Austin Hays.