Orioles' first spring training lineup could be a preview of early Opening Day plans

Every team has a choice to make early in spring training. You can either keep your lineup regulars' playing time low to let them ease into things while you still have lots of non-roster invitees around to cover at-bats, or you can get the everyday guys playing time early and let the NRIs truly battle it out later in camp. The Baltimore Orioles are very clearly choosing the latter path.

Orioles fans who made the trip to Florida will be happy to know that there are going to be a lot of familiar (and welcome) faces in Baltimore's lineup against the Yankees, and it could also be a sneaky little preview as to what the Orioles are going to do with their Opening Day roster.

Orioles post their first spring training lineup, and it is a doozy

Two names that are worth pointing out immediately are Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo. As things stand, both players are going to see real playing time at both catcher and DH, so who is playing where in the first spring training game doesn't matter all that much. However, when thinking in broad strokes, Baltimore's thinking becomes clearer and clearer.

With primary lead-off hitter Jackson Holliday on the shelf to start the season, Gunnar Henderson is a pretty logical choice to slot in there, and he might be the best option period, depending on your lineup philosophy. Pete Alonso batting second is a fun choice, but hard to argue with too much, given how much he is expected to help carry the offense.

After the top names, you get to the outfield, and the inclusion of Heston Kjerstad with this group is quite interesting. If he is truly healthy and in shape again, Kjerstad won't be hitting seventh for long. Coby Mayo getting the nod makes sense in the wake of the Jordan Westburg injury news and may be the simplest solution to their early infield issues. It is nice to see Jeremiah Jackson get some playing time, although his path to seeing a lot of time may be determined by how Holliday is doing upon his return from the IL.

Nothing is locked in, and things can obviously turn on a dime in a hurry, but this certainly does feel like Baltimore's first pass at what an Opening Day lineup could look like.