Luke Jones and Nestor preview Orioles pitching and prep for long MLB season in bullpen for Birds

Baltimore will be down an additional bullpen arm with lefty Keegan Akin going on the IL with a groin strain.

Luke Jones and Nestor discuss bad defense and many hopeful bats of Orioles as Opening Day awaits.

• [ ] @Nestor Aparicio - Write and send letters to key Orioles front-office executives (including Craig Albernaz, Katie Griggs, Mike Elias, and others) expressing concerns and expectations about the team’s direction ahead of Opening Day.
• [ ] @Nestor Aparicio - Write and send a letter to Mike Elias this week outlining concerns about the Orioles’ offseason moves and roster construction, ensuring the tone differs from Jason Lockman & Forest’s approach.

Defense and Pitching Leading to Offense

• Nestor Aparicio discusses the importance of defense in setting up the pitching, mentioning the team's focus on pitching in previous discussions.
• Nestor highlights the defensive capabilities of players like Kobe Mayo at third base and expresses concerns about Gunner Henderson's defense.
• The conversation touches on the impact of injuries to key players like Holiday and Westburg on the team's defensive performance.
• Nestor emphasizes the need for the team to hit well to compensate for any defensive shortcomings.

Kobe Mayo's Role and Defensive Challenges

• Luke Jones discusses Kobe Mayo's defensive transition from third base to first base due to the signing of Pete Alonso.
• Luke mentions Mayo's experience playing third base in the minors and his adjustment to first base.
• The conversation covers the impact of Westburg's injury on Mayo's role and the potential for Mayo to play third base if Westburg doesn't return.
• Luke highlights the importance of Mayo's work ethic and raw abilities, comparing him to Mount Castle in terms of athleticism.

Defensive Improvement and Coaching

• Luke Jones emphasizes the need for the coaching staff, led by Craig Albernaz, to improve the team's defensive fundamentals.
• The conversation touches on the importance of proper footwork and consistent play for defensive improvement.
• Luke mentions the role of Miguel Cairo and Jason Bourgeois in working with the infielders and outfielders.
• The discussion includes the need for the team to be at least average defensively to compete effectively.

Offensive Potential and Player Development

• Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discuss the offensive potential of players like Kobe Mayo, Sam Besayo, and Gunnar Henderson.
• The conversation highlights the importance of these young players hitting well to compensate for any defensive shortcomings.
• Luke mentions the need for players like Colton Kauser and Cedric Mullins to step up defensively.
• The discussion includes the potential for players like Taylor Ward and Tyler O'Neill to contribute offensively.

Health and Injury Concerns

• Luke Jones emphasizes the importance of the team staying healthy, especially after the injuries that plagued them last year.
• The conversation touches on the need for the team to address any issues with their strength and conditioning program.
• Luke mentions the importance of players like Grayson Rodriguez and Adley Rutschman staying healthy.
• The discussion includes the potential impact of injuries on the team's performance and the need for depth in the roster.

Leadership and Team Dynamics

• Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discuss the importance of Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso as the heart and soul of the team.
• The conversation highlights the need for these players to set the tone for the rest of the team.
• Luke mentions the importance of Adley Rutschman's leadership and durability behind the plate.
• The discussion includes the potential for other players like Sam Besayo and Kobe Mayo to step up and contribute.

Team Expectations and Potential

• Nestor Aparicio expresses optimism about the team's potential to be a playoff contender.
• The conversation touches on the importance of the team getting off to a good start to build momentum.
• Luke Jones mentions the need for the team to address any question marks, such as the bullpen and the defense.
• The discussion includes the potential for the team to surprise people with their performance.

Community Impact and Fan Engagement

• Nestor Aparicio emphasizes the importance of the team's success in revitalizing the city and engaging fans.
• The conversation touches on the need for the team to create a positive atmosphere at the ballpark.
• Luke Jones mentions the importance of the team's performance in driving fan interest and attendance.
• The discussion includes the potential for the team to have a significant impact on the local economy and community.

Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

• Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones discuss the importance of the team's performance in the early part of the season.
• The conversation highlights the need for the team to build momentum and maintain consistency.
• Luke mentions the importance of the team's performance in shaping public perception and expectations.
• The discussion includes the potential for the team to surprise people with their performance and exceed expectations.

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

Orioles, defense, pitching, Kobe Mayo, Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso, bullpen, injuries, offense, spring training, coaching staff, health, lineup, potential, Opening Day.

SPEAKERS

Nestor Aparicio, Luke Jones

Nestor Aparicio  00:02

Welcome home. We are W, N, S, T. Am 1570 to Baltimore. We are Baltimore positive. We are getting ready for opening day with our friends, the comfort guys at Farnham and Dermer as well as the Maryland crab cake tour. Get back out on the road Koco's. I see you. I'm coming to see you. Marcella, it is spring. Is sprung. We'll be at the ballpark to Camden Yards. We've been talking about all things pitching here, and I think now we're going to let the pitching lead to defense, because Luke, I inked My dear Craig Albernaz or Albie, and I'll be writing letters to all of the wrasse including Pete Alonso. A little welcome to to well, you know, we've had nicknames around here. We've never had one quite as good as the polar bear. I don't think, but, but defensively and how that sets up the pitching. Because we went soup to nuts on pitching, we did an hour on it, you know, from Bradish and Rogers through what Boz is and where the bullpen is, and where Tyler Wells is it even Batista, maybe later in the year. The concern of the bullpen is one thing, concern of the defense and how it gets stressed, and this really leads into our offense and saying, when you strike out this much, the biggest thing you do when you strike out is you don't put the ball in play. You don't tax the defense. They can't make an error if you strike out right? So for me, with defense on this team, I guess it starts with Kobe Mayo at third base. I don't know that there's anyone with a glove in the field. I don't love gunner Henderson's defense. Be honest with you. You know, I'd like to see that improve. Holiday out westburg, out I like both of those guys a lot. That's a massive blow to them and how long they're out and whether they blossom holidays, one, one. I mean, you got to get them a lineup. It's less than ideal, I would say, to start the year, and that doesn't curb my optimism or my enthusiasm for what this can be. But we did talk about, well, you blow two run lead late in the game in a bullpen. Yeah, we're going to pick on some Nestor Herman or some guy we've never heard of in a button that won't be him, but somebody in the bullpen. Yeah, Tyler wells comes in, and the seventh inning, he looks fine. The eighth inning, and somebody kicks it around, and next thing you know, somebody throws the ball into the dugout, and the six four leads evaporated, and the fans are upset, and but kicking the ball around is something that it's hard to win, and it's hard to have a lot of confidence. When the defense isn't great, they'll hit their way out of this, and that's what we're going to get to in a minute. Kobe Mayo is probably citizen a for all of this, because big bat completely playing out of position. I mean, right? I mean, and at least we think it's temporary, and a lot of this really is the backdrop of Westberg and holiday when they're coming back.

Luke Jones  03:02

Yeah, yeah. I mean, a couple things holiday, holidays hitting already. He's going to, he probably is going to be in the lineup for triple A Norfolk for their first game. I think you're going to see him on a similar timeline to gunner Henderson last year. I think he's going to, you know, he's going to have to be in the on the IL for a certain number of days anyway, but it'll give him a chance to ramp up. I'd be kind of surprised if we don't see holiday by mid April. Now, what that will look like in terms of his power and all that that's that's a different discussion point is, I think we're going to see him very soon. Westburg, Mike Elias already confirmed that he's not going to be ready may 1. Right? It's going to be even in the best case scenario, we're probably looking closer towards best case scenario later in the month, right? I mean, who knows? I mean, we just don't know right now. So yeah, you look at Kobe Mayo right now. And one thing I'll correct you on, I mean, yes, he's in, he's out of position compared to what we were perceiving him to be last summer, in a world where we didn't know that the Orioles were going to go sign Pete Alonso, but they had said, Okay, he's going to be a first baseman. He played a lot of third base in the minors, right? I mean, this is not a position that he is, that he's foreign to, right? This is something that where he's worked quite a bit. The difference is you went from and when was it June of last year to basically saying, all right, Kobe, you know, put the third baseman. Glove away. First base is your spot. Moving forward, then you get Pete Alonso. You think, all right, well, Kobe Mayo is probably going to be traded. Kobe Mayo himself even admitted, like, I didn't know what my fate was going to be. Like, I certainly wasn't mad or like, didn't understand the organization going and signing Pete like he's a great player, but it's common like, it's common sense to you as a young, unproven player, to wonder, like, what that means for you, right? So they get to spring training. Obviously, everything happened with Westberg, and now Mayo is back at third base. Now, the good thing is, if there. One silver lining to the Westberg injury is that was right off the bat. He's had an entire spring training, and I had a chance to talk to him, you know, he talked to some of the reporters, but prior to Sunday's exhibition game, and he flat out like he had a good mindset about it, and he said, Look, I know that I'm going to make some errors, right? Albernaz has talked about this with me. I mean, Miguel Cairo is their infield coach. They've worked with him, as I said to you, going back to last summer. I mean, he was out on the field with John Mabry every day, working at first base. Sunday morning before the exhibition game, I saw him at third base taking ground balls and working. I mean, this kid works. I don't question his work ethic at all, and I don't question his ability at all, his raw abilities. And he's an athlete,

Nestor Aparicio  05:45

right? I mean, he's a good basketball player,

Luke Jones  05:46

looking dude, like, he runs well, like, you know, it kind of reminds me of Mount Castle a few years you know, when mount Castle first arrived, like, he kind of thought, Oh, well, he's just this big, plodding guy. And then you realize he's actually relatively fast, like, not stealing bases fast, but could go first to third. Can score from second, right? I mean, like that kind of fast. So he has ability. But, you know, now it's a case of, all right, you've been afforded this opportunity. You've been gifted this opportunity because of where we are roster wise, knowing that westburg best case scenario is maybe, you know, maybe Memorial Day, something like that, right? Maybe mid May at best case scenario, he might not come back at all. If he does come back, third base might not be an option. It might for Westberg, it might be he's a DH or he can only play second base. Or, who knows, right? I mean, we'll find out. But point is, you can't plan definitively that Westbrook is going to be in the lineup at third base for them. So Kobe Mayo has got quite a runway here to you know, and I'm not, let me be clear, that's not unconditional. If he's booting two balls a game, then yeah, to me, you're going to have to pivot. And you know, whether it's Blaze Alexander there, and Mayo's back on the bench or or whatever, but he's going to get an opportunity here, and I think where you look at him, he's going to make some errors. And even talking to Craig Albernaz, you know, I asked him about Mayo's defense, they know he's going to like they know he's not going to be Manny Machado there. They know he's not going to be Brooks Robinson there. But can he show the proper footwork, right? Can he fundamentally do what he needs to do which? If you do that, and you do that on a daily basis and a regular basis, and you do that rep by rep, chances are, over time, those mistakes will start to dissipate a little bit, and you will get more consistent. So he's got to hit, right? I mean, like, part of this equation is you can deal with some shoddy defense here and there. Like, not like, you know, it can't be all the time, but you can deal with some hiccups here and there, if you're going to hit the ball. And that's where you look at Mayo, and you say, he had a great September last year. Again, I get it. It's September, right? I mean, we're, we're skeptical of September anyway, but especially for a team that's that's playing out the string. But he had 300 last September. He had five home runs. He had a 941 ops. He was playing every day at that point, and he did a nice job. What has he done since then? Well, he's been working at third base every day and in spring training going into, you know, like the final exhibition with the Nationals in DC, sitting 389 he's got five extra base hits. He has a 1039 ops. It's spring training, right? I'm not, not trying to make more of it than what it is, but the point is, since September one of last year, Kobe Mayo has really looked like someone who can really be a legitimate part of your lineup. Now, doesn't mean he's gonna believe

Nestor Aparicio  08:49

that two years ago, right? He He's a serious, he's a serious prospect in an organization with all these one ones who haven't really blossomed yet, right? Right? I mean, he's got a bat.

Luke Jones  08:59

I mean, this is the kind of guy, I think, for for all the talk of the young guys that have been in the mate, you know, some of them aren't that young anymore, like Adley rutschmann, he's 28 now. He's not young. That's not young for baseball anymore. But in terms of their core, you know, their core position, guys that have been there now for two or three years, or in the case of rutsman and gunner, a little bit longer than that, even. But you look at Mayo and bisayo, and to me, those are the two guys that, if you want to talk about this lineup going from good, because I think this lineup, borrowing a ton of injuries, is going to be good at at the very least, but what can take them from good to great is guys like mayo and besayo at the bottom of the order, who suddenly are hitting the ball to the point where you say, Oh, are they going to stay at the bottom of the order? Do we need to move those guys a little bit higher in the order? They have that potential. Now, are they both going to realize that this year? I don't know, right? They're young ball players, but they have that kind of upside. With the bat. So for mayo, yes, he's going to have to hit, there's no doubt about that. And yes, he's going to have to defend at least well enough, because I'm going to use a reference that you'll certainly be familiar with, and many listeners will be you can't have him be Mark Reynolds. Which Mark Reynolds in 2011 and 2012 go look at his offensive numbers. I know he struck out a lot at a time when striking out wasn't as well, I don't want to say well received wasn't as accepted as it is today, compared to fifth, you know, 15 years ago. But for what he did with the bat, all of it got wiped out by how bad his defense was at third base. I mean, go, Look. I mean, he, he ended up being slightly above replacement level, or, you know, around there, because everything he did with the bat was just given away by his glove and his arm, right? I mean, so Mayo can't be that. So, I guess you know to, kind of, you know, to then pull back and kind of look at the rest of their defense. Here's what I'm looking for. These guys are athletes, right? These are, these guys are good athletes. It's not as though these guys are a bunch of stiffs that can't move right. This isn't, you know, you kind of think back to Money Rayford, yeah, or look at Billy Dean with, like, in the early 2000s with the A's, like, like, those guys could get on base, but they weren't good athletes, right? So they didn't steal bases, because they weren't really capable of it anyway. And analytically, they said, Well, we're not going to be good at that anyway. We can't be successful 80% of the time. We're not going to try to steal bases, and we don't care as much about our defense, because we want you to get on base. And that was kind of the money ball formula. That's why Scott hattenberg could move from catcher to first base, because they didn't need them to be a good defensive first baseman. They wanted them to get on base. This isn't that these guys are athletes to the point that, let me be clear, this isn't me saying they all are going need to be, or should be, Gold Glove caliber fielders, but I'd like to think these guys can, at least, like, they can be together an average defense, like, just be average, right? Because I think the profile works if it's more closer to average than, like last year, and you know, the second half of 2024 where, you know, they profiled more as bottom 10 in baseball kind of defense. So that is where, you know, not just talking about working with Kobe mayo, but working with all these guys. That's where I am looking at Miguel Cairo, who's their infield coach, Jason bourgeois, who's their first base coach, but also their outfield coach, like I want to see these Craig Albernaz, just overseeing all of it. Generally speaking, I want to see this coaching staff produce a defense that is crisper, doesn't look as sloppy, knows where to throw the ball, all of that, those things that you and I were talking about last year early on, where my biggest criticism of Brandon Hyde was not the failures of all the players, like individually, it was how sloppy that it came out of the gate. You know, you should be at your sharpest coming out of spring training when it comes to, you know, your bunt plays and who's covering where and where to throw the ball and all those different things, right? And they were just so sloppy doing that. It was like, Man, did you guys even go through spring training because you

Nestor Aparicio  13:08

haven't played like it sometimes the fundamentals

Luke Jones  13:11

aren't fun, right? But to me, that was an indictment, not just on the players, but big time on the coaching staff. So if there's something I'm going to judge, Craig Albernaz And this coaching staff on early on, beyond just wins and losses, but looking at the game within the game, it's, are they throwing to the right base? Are these guys running the bases properly, like all those fundamentally, you know, all those fundamental things I want to see, though, those things tightened up. And if they can do that, then I see no reason why this defense, maybe not Mayo at third base, but this defense collectively, why it can't be at least average, right? And you have that, then I think they'll be in position to win a lot of ball games, because, again, these guys aren't stiffs like Colton kauser is a great athlete. Colton kauser should be able to play a solid center field. I'll have some questions about his bat, right, especially going up against lefties. Although it was nice to see a left on left home run from Him on Sunday. That was good to see,

Nestor Aparicio  14:08

but it will get you gunner Henderson in the WBC, because we haven't talked

Luke Jones  14:12

about that either for him too. Yeah, I said to you, like for me, look, I wanted to see gunner play every day in the WBC, but I get it. He hasn't been good historically against lefties. And let's be clear, it was Alex Bregman playing in his place, not Jorge Mateo, you know. So I get it. Orioles fans were mad about that. I understand, hey, he was one of the few guys hitting for them, but I understood that. But to bring it back to the defense, I look position by position. Look Pete Alonso is not a Gold Glove first baseman, but scoop balls in the dirt, especially for Kobe mayo, that's going to be a big thing for them, right? You're going to have to help out your young third baseman, and he knows that, Gunner Henderson, I thought gunners defense was better as last year went on compared to the year before. You know, I thought his defense was trending up for me last year, I want to see that. Continue second base. You know, we haven't mentioned his name yet, Blaze Alexander, for the time being, whether he's playing second or when holidays back, they bump him over to third. If Mayo is having issues defensively, they need him to catch the ball right whatever he gives you with the bat. I think I want to say his bonus, because I think they like his bat. But he needs to get them solid defense. If you're the utility guy, you need to be a solid defender, right? So, and I think he can be that for them. So, you know, that's the infield and then the outfield. I mean, they need cows or whatever the bat looks like. They need him to defend. If he can defend and be solid and be dependable in center field, then I'll live with whatever else he's doing with the bat for the time being. But they need that, because if it's not him, I don't know who it is like, okay, they have leoty Tavares, who's going to be, presumably, the backup center fielder. He's been replacement level the last couple years with the bat. So if it's not him, then you're talking about, okay, Dylan beavers. You know, to me, I think they very much would like to keep Dylan beavers as a corner outfielder. I don't think they feel he can play center field, at least right now. And you know, beyond that, then you're talking about like Enrique Bradfield, who needs to have some success at triple A before we're ready to talk about him as a candidate. So they need kaliser to play center field, and they need them to play it well, because there's not a slap you in the face alternative right now that that makes sense, right? All the all the other alternatives have even more question marks, so they need him to be that they'll play Taylor Warden left I think he'll be fine out there, right field you know, Tyler O'Neill, like our perception of what he was last year. You have to this is a guy who was a Gold Glove outfielder earlier in his career, like he should be able to play solid, a solid right field for them when he's out there. Same with beavers, right well, him and

Nestor Aparicio  16:56

Ward are like these. I don't barely talk about them, but they know. But like, six weeks from now, they might be the two best players, and like, they have that kind of potential, but I just see them as just names, until I watch them five nights a week go out with an Oriole crest on and get two or three hits and win a ball game and hit a home run on opening Day or whatever, because they're these are really capable, big bat 30 home run kind of guys, and they need to be given the bats. They're going to strike out, they're going to pop out, they're going to hit the double play. They do all that. But along the body of the work, we can wake up on, I don't know, Preakness day one of might have 12 home runs by then, because they're, they're that kind of same thing with mayo. I mean, they all have that possibility about them, in addition to gunner Henderson and Pete Alonso,

Luke Jones  17:47

right, yeah. And I'm going to continue to say Sam basayo, okay, no. I mean, I'm

Nestor Aparicio  17:52

just saying he reminds me, and this makes me a really old guy, by the way, of when Manny Ramirez came to the Indians in 90,

Luke Jones  18:01

batting eighth or something

Nestor Aparicio  18:02

like that. I mean, that team by Eric and Lofton,

Luke Jones  18:07

Jim Tony and Manny Ramirez were hitting seventh and eighth for that team. I mean, it was,

Nestor Aparicio  18:10

it was ridiculous, well, and Ramirez was this big bat guy that was young and dumb and and, you know, had Hall of Fame potential and Triple Crown kind of potential, you know, I sort of the bicycle thing, the fact that they rushed him, they gave him the money they he's a catcher, but he's not really a catcher, but we're going to make him a catcher, and then we give $150 million to a first baseman, but he's so young, right? Yeah, and I think the same things Jackson holiday so young that giving these guys chances at that age, like they did with Gunner Henderson, two, three years ago, right? That this will be who them in the long run. And he certainly was the FLA of all the things we've talked about here. He was the flash in spring training, right? Yeah.

Luke Jones  18:58

I mean mayo and beside Oh late. I mean, they hit for, I mean, I watched Kobe Mayo hit a long two run homer off Max free to the Yankees. I mean, you're talking about like their opening day starter, you know, their ace, until Garrett Cole returns and reestablishes himself as the ace. I mean, you know, these guys were, these guys have really capable bats. I mean, it's and again, we're going through all these names. You and I both know. Every single name that we just rattled off is not going to have a

Nestor Aparicio  19:27

great Tyler O'Neal's Museum. He'll be heard around. He hit 201 and he had a whole maybe two years ago, cows or he's a strike out. You know,

Luke Jones  19:38

Bowser will strike out, but he might, he might hit 25 home runs also, right?

Nestor Aparicio  19:43

So then there's the fact whether Gunnar Henderson and Adley rushman are going to be MVP caliber performers in the way that we see their ceilings in their best light, in their best light, in Adley Richmond's best light. This year, he's going to hit 282 with 23 home runs, driving 90 runs. Catch it on your plane. 380 on base percentage.

Luke Jones  20:03

Give me a 380 on date. Look, they don't need Adley rutsman To be an MVP, right? I will take like, just get back to the guy you were two years ago, three years ago, right? Like, I don't need the you're gonna become Johnny Bench or anything. I think that ship has sailed right, at least in that right? Which is, when you compare these young catchers to Johnny Bench, it's always so unfair, right? But we do it, not we. I just in general

Nestor Aparicio  20:29

one, it's even different than weeders for me, no doubt.

Luke Jones  20:32

Oh, I agree. That's That's why I've been so hard on Adley rutsman In terms of how I've talked about him the last year and a half. But, but, yeah, it really is amazing. When you look at the state of this 26 man roster, the position side. I mean, you and I haven't even mentioned Ryan mountcastle. Now, part of that is I don't know if, especially if, these young guys emerge, you know, when we're talking about mayo and SiO. Like, I don't know where the at bats are going to be for Mount castle in that scenario, but point is, there are a lot of different lineup combinations here, and, yeah, they're gonna have to find it. But I'm not sure what's going to happen, right? I mean, I think gunner Henderson is going to be this team's best player, because that's just been the case for the last three years now. I mean, even last year is even a down year for gunner. He still was, you know, their their best position player, I guess, you know, with a nod to Ramon lauriano Before he was traded at the deadline. But I expect Pete Alonso to hit 35 to 40 home runs, because that's just who he's been, right? That's who he was with the Mets. Why the Orioles are giving them $30 million a year, $31 million million dollars a year. You know, Taylor Ward's coming off of a career year. I don't know if he's going to match that in terms of home runs, but he should be a guy that is going to give solid production. He's going to strike out, but he's going to hit for power and do that. But, man, there's also a scenario Nestor, where like Kobe mayo or Sam besayo, one of those guys, like, I'm not going to say both of them, but if there's a scenario where in August, one of those guys is hitting cleanup for this team at that point, because they're just that guy, right, which would be amazing for The overall ceiling and potential for this offense. I mean, there's a lot to like, but I will also say, and just like I talked about the defense, I will go back to the approach and the coaching. You know, Dustin Lynn, their new hitting coach, Brady north, their new assistant hitting coach. We talked a lot about the hitting coaches last year, remember, and that's not to say that the players didn't need to be accountable, because they did, but we kind of talked about it in terms of, this feels broken. So I'm hoping, with all the changes, you know, with the new coaching staff, even if at the end of the day, they're they're preaching something very similar to what the previous coaching staff was seeing was saying they're saying it in a different voice. They're saying it in a different way. They're connecting with players in a different way. And I'm hoping that's going to lead to some more success and some more consistency. Because, man, you kind of look at it and again, people are listening. People are more skeptical right now. They're like, Oh, well, Luke and Nestor are drinking the orange Kool Aid. Yeah, I kind of am right now in terms of just looking at what these guys are capable of being, I'm not saying it's going to work in every single way. I mean, there's a scenario where Colton cows are get sent down the triple A because he's completely lost at the plate. I don't know, right? I mean, there's, scenarios like that for three or four different guys, right? But there are also scenarios that, Hey, young players get better, right? We've seen plenty of young players good, and then scuffle and struggle, and then they're better, and then, boy, before you know it, then they're just an everyday player. And you know, you you don't really think about it anymore. They're not a prospect, they're a they're a definite like, Hey, you're a legitimate Major League hitter. So that's where I look at this team and say, That's why I say, if the bullpen can just be solid, right? It doesn't need to be the best bullpen in baseball. Just don't be a bottom five bullpen. And if the defense doesn't need to be gold gloves across the board, just be average. Don't be a detriment, right? Don't be a liability. Just be solid. If you can do that, then, yeah, that's why I go back to the offense, having the upside it has. And the starting rotation, maybe not the same level of upside there as the offense, but seeing a lot of upside there. You and I spent half a segment talking about that. So there are things to like about this club. Yeah, there are things to not like or things to question as well. But man, I just, I look at this lineup, one through nine, and man, if you can, you know, some of these young guys take the next step. And. Veteran players kind of maintain health is going to be a big part. You know, I've gone a long way in our discussion here. As we're going in opening day, health needs to be there, and that's why I'm a little they're right off the bat in spring training with holiday in westburg, there was very much a sense of, here we go again.

Nestor Aparicio  25:18

Grayson Rodriguez isn't hurt here. Yeah,

Luke Jones  25:20

right, I mean, but they need to stay healthy. That's a big part of this. I'm hoping that through all the changes they made with the manager and the coaching staff, and taking a look at everything that went wrong in 2025 I'm hoping there was some introspective work done on do we need to tweak our strength and conditioning? You know, because, man, we had a lot of hamstrings last year, a lot of obliques, lot a lot of stuff like that. Where you would say, okay, yeah, some of that is part of the game. But, you know, you shouldn't have 25 and 26 year old guys going down with those kind of injuries all the time that that to me, tells me there, there's something going on there. So I'm hoping that they will be a healthier team this year. You know, kind of tough saying that right off the bat, because they do have some injuries here out of the gate, but over 162 Yeah, they've got to stay healthier. There's no doubt, because we can talk about all that kind of potential, like Tyler O'Neill, you and I just said it. Guy has 30 home run potential. He's done it before. He's hit 30 home runs in the major leagues in a season, but he's got to play more than 54 games to do it, so, you know. And part of that is also, hey, he doesn't have to play every day, because hopefully Dylan beavers is going to be a, I don't know if that'll be a straight platoon by any means, but it could be something in that, you know, that looks like that, and that will give you some opportunities to keep Tyler O'Neill healthy. You know, I'm guessing the Orioles are going to try to convince Pete Alonso to DH a dozen times, you know, this year, to to get off his feet a little bit more and give him a little bit of a breather every now and then. So, but they've got to stay healthy. There's no doubt that's a big part of it. I will continue to say about the story of the 2025 team. Yes, there was a lot of underperformance and problems like that. There's no question, but injuries were a big part of what happened last year. That it's undeniable, right? I mean, it absolutely was part of their story last year. So if they're going to bounce back, they've got to stay healthier, which, again, the way it looks on March 26 or April 1 isn't exactly the way you wanted it to start. But over the long haul, you know, we'll see about westburg. But beyond that, this is a team that you hope can stay healthy and keep most of these guys on the field, because I think they've got the potential to be pretty darn good if it can all come together in that way. Luke Jones

Nestor Aparicio  27:41

is here. It's all brought to you by our friends at the comfort guys at Farnan and Dermer, as well as our friends at the Maryland lotto. Be getting the Maryland crab cake tour back out on the road after opening day we get home. I'll wrap up with this. I mean, we sit here, we talk about mayo and cowser and rushman and the question marks and injuries and holiday and Westberg and defense and all of that. What do we really know? It to me, Gunner Henderson and Pete Alonso, they really have to be the heart and soul of this thing. I'll give Ward and O'Neill some oxygen for where they are, and then all the rest of the names, the one ones and the young guys and the potential of this and the the that can all come. But to me, Alonzo and Henderson, as I wrote to Craig Albernaz, that's really where it starts, and Henderson being a lead off guy in this new age of lineups, and the way al bumry doesn't hit lead off anymore, although Weaver had something with singleton back in the 70s, which

Luke Jones  28:42

he was on to, something with that

Nestor Aparicio  28:45

on base percentage he was, he was very much on to that because he had his little note cards. But, but Henderson and Alonso, if I'm putting them both in at 36 and 38 home runs and 111 RBIs and 107 RBIs and I have them both playing 154 games. And like, if that part of it works out, pitching aside for what Rogers needs to be in Bradish and who steps up, and how good effing can be, and when Dean Kramer gets back and all of that stuff, it's one thing, bitching about Dean Kramer, who's a league average starter, and saying, well, will he make it? Will he not? Will he give him the ball? Beat the two guys, Henderson and Alonso, they, they are your engine for me, and they are the biggest part of the engine. Because I'm not counting on Richmond anymore. You can't count on mayo. We're not going to count on kauser. We don't know enough about Ward, but I'll take him over and injure Grayson Rodriguez, I mean, for all of the complaints about Elias, and I have not been hard on Elias, and he's gonna get a letter from me this week, and it won't be written Jason lock and forest style, don't worry. Henderson, I need to step up from where he was last year. And. To look again, like the leader of the team, even though they've imported leadership and give it a lot of money to Pete Alonso that needs to play like Batman and Robin and peanut butter and jelly. For me, it really does.

Luke Jones  30:14

Yeah, no, 1,000% agree. I mean, there's no, no doubt. I don't want to put too much pressure on them, but you know, Cal and Eddie, like, they need to be this, right? Yeah. I mean, that, like, it's, that's what it needs to be, you know, I think gunner, we've talked about it. I mean, he had the, had the rib cage issue right out of the gate last year, and then he had the shoulder impingement, which we never really, you know, didn't find out about that till after the season. That zapped him of his power. He still had a pretty good year, you know, in a vacuum, it just wasn't what it had been the year before.

Nestor Aparicio  30:46

Then I hear that all day long. Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Luke Jones  30:49

Right, right. So, but yeah, they need him to be a guy that I'm not saying he needs to win the MVP, but if Gunnar Henderson's right, like he's a top five to top eight MVP candidate in the American League. That's the kind of player he is. So they need that from him. And I think he'd be the first to tell you, like, he would agree with it us. He would say, Yeah, I got to be that guy for my team. And Pete Alonso same way, like, that's why you gave Pete Alonso $155 million they need to, they need to be the tone setters for this offense. I will say this. I agree with what you said about Adley rutsman from an offensive standpoint, where they do need Adley rutschman to bounce back unequivocally, like an undisputed point is he can't miss two months with oblique issues, like they need him at a minimum to be behind the plate five days a week, or whatever it's going to be all season long, because he's that important to managing the pitching staff right? Because as much as I love besides upside with the bat, if you're in a position where rushman is on this shelf, I don't have the confidence in beside, oh, to handle a pitching staff that regularly, like on an everyday basis. You know, he's the backup catcher for a reason. He's going to be backup catcher, slash DH, for a reason. So they need rutsman For that, that leadership element. They absolutely need whatever he does with the bat. Beyond that, we're going to see, right? I mean, I hope, I hope the guy that he was in 2023 is still in there somewhere, but he's got to show it like that guy's got to return. And until he does, I'm skeptical, regardless of the of what his spring numbers might look like. But yeah, they need gunner and they need Pete Alonso to be the guys, right? They need to be the guys. And it's not to say other guys in this lineup can't have great years. And like I said, if, if, beside hits 30 home runs, or Kobe Mayo hits 30 home runs, and suddenly we're talking about them, one of those guys being hitting fourth or fifth and great, right? But yeah, and I don't know exactly what the lineup is going to look like. I think Taylor Ward, I don't sleep on him as potentially being the lead off guy, and some, you know, especially in some certain matchups. But point is, whether they're hitting first and second, or second and third, or first and third, Gunner Henderson and Pete Alonso need to be those guys, those dudes, right? Baseball, they talk about dudes. Those guys are dudes. They're established dudes at this point in time. So they need to go out there and be on the field every day, which you expect. I mean, Pete Alonso one of the biggest, you know, his calling card, beyond the home runs, has been he's very durable and plays and posts up every day and go ask Buck Showalter, like getting them to take a day off in New York was, was not a fun experience for the managers there, because he just wants to play like he's that he's that old school Cal Ripken kind of guy in that way. But, yeah, if those guys set that, you know, they need those guys to set the tone, and if they do, then it's it's up to everyone else to follow, right? They have to follow the lead. Alonso is going to be the veteran guy, and gunner is the emerging young guy that needs to be more of a leader in that way. So, but it begins with how they play on the field, right? Ultimately, Pete Alonso, you love the leadership, no doubt. But he needs to hit 35 or 40 bombs like that. That's what they're that's why they paid him, right? So, and he knows that, he understands that. So, yeah, those guys have to lead the way. And if they do, if those, if those two guys are the All Star, you know, if not MVP candidate, kind of players that they have proven in the past capable of being then, and that's a heck of a start for your offense, then to just fill in the gaps after that and and see what you can do one through nine.

Nestor Aparicio  34:33

So I'm writing these letters to all the brass. Katie Griggs is going to get hers. My Craig Albernaz is up. Mike Elias, I'm coming for you too. For all of this, Eric Getty, especially, more so than Rubinstein, who is the face and Eric Getty's the person really doing he's the baseball nerd. I would just say this if Eric Getty hears this piece or it gets to me at this point. Or Rubenstein, and this is where the people who hate me, and they're plenty of them, because they still voted for Trump. I see it all over social media, if you're the guy that hates me for saying I've been the guy here for 35 effing opening days doing this job in front of everyone with a radio station that the FCC is gonna come take my license if I, if I criticize our dear leader and the nonsense that's going on. But I've done 35 opening days here now, and you've done a good 17 with me, or whatever it's been. How many years we've had this? There have been so few times where I want to wake up at five in the morning and Medellin, Colombia on the Monday before opening day, and sit and have a legitimate, honest conversation about their potential to be a playoff team, let alone a division winning team or World Series winning team or whatever just to be, I don't have to bullshit anybody to think that they Could even be fundamentally sound, or a 500 team, 25 if not 28 of the 35 years I've been on the radio, they've been a freaking joke. They've been a disgrace, and they're not anymore. And the off season was real, and they signed the $19 million pitcher on Valentine's Day. And they spot. They signed $155 million real dude, not a chump to be their next Frank Robinson or their next star. They gave bisayo money. They they took our money and built a scoreboard and threw you out of the press box and moved it to the left, which moving to the left is a good place to move. It's better than moving to the right. And I mean, even though the thing looks like an airport lounge or whatever, and God bless them. So I would just say this. I wouldn't be such a jerk and such an ass and so angry, and I certainly would have my press pass if, over the last 30 years, they put a credible, honest, big league full effort organization together to give people a reason to be excited. You're excited because you're a baseball nerd. I'm excited. Look at my last name, right? I mean, I love baseball, but what we've endured here over the last 35 years is disgraceful, and the fact that this is one of the few opening day weeks where I can honestly say, if I give them 75 bucks on Thursday and go down there, run around that it's not opening day, and it falls off the table, and we're wondering when lacrosse starts, or if the caps are playing hockey, or who the ravens are drafting, or who got arrested, or who Terrance West punched last week, or whatever, whatever happened, right that this is a credible layoff caliber. They've had an offseason where they've done things you hated their pitching last year. Alan hated their pitching last year. I mean, I've tried to be more balanced, because I have sat here for 35 years watching this disgrace, and this is not that anymore. And for that, I'll tip my cap to arroghetti, and I've talked a lot here with Marty Conway and Eric Fisher about the labor situation, and you and I have done an hour and a half here to start the season where it's Baseball, baseball, and it's Ken Kobe Mayo pick up the glove, and it's can they get Westberg real baseball, things that lead to playoff baseball and a chance to win a World Series, not how much money is Fredo making in being a jerk with the community. Now I want Katie Griggs to step up. Mark. Fine. You're disgraceful that I don't have a press pass at the ballpark on Thursday. Disgraceful. But that being said, I'm covering the team. You're covering the team. You'll ask questions. I'll be out here being the jerk that I am, because it's a response mechanism for me to say I've been through all this shit the last 35 years, and the losing and last year imploding immediately. I hope that doesn't happen again, because I love baseball. You love baseball. It's a long season. We put a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of my life, I've forgotten more about baseball than most people certainly over at the fan. So for me, it is, this is a go time for the city, for downtown, for the money we've spent on the ballpark, for new ownership, for all of that. So I'm watching whether they let me in or not. They're going to hear from me, and they're going to know from me, and they're going to know from you. Know from you, and I hope they're as vibrant and as important and as valuable as I've made them out to be most of my life. That's all I'm going to say.

Luke Jones  39:54

My final point, everything you just said, I fully acknowledge, but more specifically. The after the season they had last year on the heels of what had happened at the

Nestor Aparicio  40:04

end of a half a million people going away from the ballpark, right? Last year, it

Luke Jones  40:08

is so incredibly important for this team to get off to a good start this year. No, it doesn't need to be 35 and 10, right? But just get off to a solid

Nestor Aparicio  40:20

start, dude, seven and 14 and 1016,

Luke Jones  40:26

I'm fine with any of that, right, right, right, right. Look at the schedule. How it sets up. Minnesota and the rangers to start off at Pittsburgh, at the White Sox. Then you come home and you play the Giants and the Diamondbacks. Then you go to Cleveland, all right, Cleveland playoff team. Then you go to Kansas City, Rhett, then you come home at the end of the month and you host the Red Sox and the Astros. All right, that last home stand there. But you look at the first four weeks of the season, they're not playing a ton of teams that made the

Nestor Aparicio  40:54

playoffs last year. Yeah, they could play 700 ball the first month, right? Yeah. Get off to a

Luke Jones  40:58

good start. And then I said all the stuff about the Mojo and the chemistry and the guys being more upbeat in the clubhouse, and all a good spring, if you can, if you can springboard into a good start coming out of Sarasota, and start off well, and you're 13 and seven, then you set up really nicely for to have a really good playoff Season, you know, and then, you know, you get to October, then who knows what will happen? I mean, this team could look, at least be perceived a lot differently than how we're perceiving it right now, when you have so many young guys that you're kind of looking at and envisioning the possibilities. But man, just get off to a good start. This city needs it. On the heels of the Orioles last year and the Ravens last fall, dude,

Nestor Aparicio  41:44

drop the mic on that city. Needs it like last that's where I am on it. Get people downtown. People steal their money, get their ATM out. Let them buy truest club. Whatever it is, success has been something that we have not smelled here, and it's pissed me off so much that I walked out on them 20 years ago because they were creeps. They were liars and and I'm not going to defend that, and I'm not going to, I'm not going to advertise it for them, but this team should be a playoff team, and it has all the potential to be that. And I'm bullish on the team so, and I know you are as well. Yeah, yeah.

Luke Jones  42:21

I mean, they have question marks. Most teams have question marks. I think there's a lot to like about this club. And again, get off to a good start, which, Hey,

Nestor Aparicio  42:29

man, you and I don't like about it, like the bullpen. Elias is apparently okay with this, right? It's his job, right? If he, if he thought the bullpen needed more he would go get some more spice, or go ask daddy for more money. And Michael era Getty and, you know, and get it, and that's still all might happen, but it all might happen under the guise of Kobe Mayo has got 20 home runs in June, and they can't figure out where to put Westberg and holiday looks like a one, one, and Richmond bounce back, and Albernaz is manager of the year, and they have five, if not six, starting pitchers. So we'll have to talk about Jim Palmer joining the rotation at some point. He's leaving the boots. Same thing with McDonald all right. He's Luke Jones. We're done with baseball. We'll talk more baseball in October. Now. We'll be back on Friday morning here without question. It's opening day. It's baseball week. My last name still Aparicio. We still love baseball around here. He's Luke. I'm Nestor. Big thanks to all of our sponsors. I'm coming home from Medellin. I hope they let me in back for more. We are Baltimore positive and W NSD stay with us. You.

We love the starting rotation but about that untested bullpen? Luke Jones and Nestor get you ready for Opening Day and beyond with a full preview of the 2026 Baltimore Orioles and where the Birds will be flying in the American League East this summer – and hopefully, into the fall.