Orioles forward thinking management prepares for their future

Really, so Tampa Bay wasn't the #1 seed in the AL last year with the 3rd worst attendance (even worse than Baltimore)?

In response to Rg -
I AM NOT A BALTIMORE FAN, but was prepared to be - IF, we had a former Beaver All American, most END OF YEAR rewards EVER, National Champion with best BA, Best RBI numbers , and most hits ever in a World Series.
Then I see Andrew Vaughn, called up the beginning of last year ( he was picked THIRD in the draft), on April 2 . Yes, he has power, but he is such a defensive liability - he has to DH or play an occasional 1B.He did not perform as expected. He played in 127 games for the White Sox and hit .235 and only drove in 48 in 417 AB and hit 15 dingers. Nick Madrigal (also White Sox ), played in 2020 ( 29 games , 340 BA). In 2021 ( before injury), had 200 AB’s and hit .305 with 2 HR’s.
Adley never sniffed MLB. Their attendance has averaged about 20 - 21K , pretty steady since 2013 .
This seems to be a team that is focusing on the right things
.You can prove anything with stats and comparisons if you are purely looking for an argument .
I admit I have a bias, and my bias is in favor of seeing the widely acknowledged ( since draft and to this day ), top performing ‘selection’ in all of MLB IN THE ML .
I like the way the White Sox run their Organization . The Orioles are the ‘Dollar Store’ of MLB .
He deserves it.

Interesting post by RGeorge. Id like to respond to the points he made.

Your point about fans not having the right to certain managerial decisions is correct. The ownership of any MLB franchise has the prerogative to make any decision they wish in the best interest of the enterprise. That includes management of player personnel. However, fans also have the prerogative as you suggest, of not following any MLB Team or attending their games if they so choose.

So, how are the Orioles doing attendance wise?

The statement that “AR isn’t a sure MLB star” is conjecture. How could you or anyone else possibly know he is or isn’t? He’s been stuck in the minor leagues for 3 years being “seasoned” while his years of service requirement is being masterfully manipulated by the Oriole front office. A practice, so egregious and offensive by the way, MLB is currently considering rewarding teams a bonus draft pick if they will carry their top draft selections on the roster as opposed to playing the YOS game with a string of lengthy and ridiculous minor league assignments.

If you wish to make the argument that Baltimore’s two catchers in 2021 were superior to AR in any category of your choosing, I’ll listen, but Pedro Severino did produce a slash line of .248/ .308/ .383 with an OPS of 691 in 379 AB. His catching cohort, Austin Wynn delivered a .185/ .232/ .308 and an OPS total of 540 in 130 AB.

That kept AR in MiLB for a 3rd year?

Fans are not unrealistic in their appraisal of AR. When you have veteran MLB Scouts and Cross-Checkers publically acknowledging Rutschman might be the best defensive catcher in organized baseball right now, with MLB executives calling him a generational player, and stating he was the best player drafted since Bryce Harper 10 years earlier, I might be compelled to pay attention to that. I think Mike Elias was in that mode as well, the parsimonius Oriole organization paid AR 99% of his full slot money. Even they understood the value and potential WAR of AR.

The only constant in baseball, is change. Baseball is evolving – rules have changed, antiquated ideas surrounding the game have been cast aside, mythical beliefs debunked and disproven. The game has already changed dramatically; it is driven by analytics – statistical analysis of every aspect of the game. Amateur and professional players are evaluated for the draft, trade value, and salary negotiation analytically. Advanced scouting reports and spray charts are formulated analytically. Player development is exponentially superior to the past because of modern camera, laser, and computer technology. Technology and the resulting data are driving the game. Take a good look at the organization charts of today’s MLB teams. The good old boy network is rapidly giving way to the “Quants” – 3-piece suits, graduate degrees in statistics, mathematics, computer science or software engineering. They occupy those top floor suites.

And you don’t think the game has changed?

stunning!

You make some good points that in and of themselves are fine. A bit in depth since most of what you typed doesn't really reflect what was said in my post. But...

The ownership groups run the ship. Those "top floor suites" are paid to do what they are told. Period. Ask the other advances mentioned are pretty much common knowledge to those that have followed the game for 50 years. And, I think you know what I meant by the game hasn't changed. There was zero mention of the nuisances and modern developments.

As stated the ownership old boy network, philosophies, and protocols die hard. And, ownerships have vastly different interests when running their clubs. Simplified... do whatever it takes to win (some in long term mode, others right now)... others to make a buck. To some its their legacy, some purely a business investment, and still others an arrogant hobby.

Some owners should not be, but $$$ and connections run the overall show. But, then again maybe some owners welcome neophytes that are out of their league owning a MLB franchise?!

So, I made no argument about any other players. I made no justification for how the O's run their franchise. I simply stated that it's pretty much status quo for many prospects. And, that Baltimore isn't withholding talent that is shortchanging fans.

As for AR, the same conjecture holds true on his MLB readiness and success. How could you or any of the aforementioned "prognosticators" know? Of course, they can't. He could be like so many other "can't miss" prospects and fade away. Or have a solid journeyman career, or be a perennial allstar. How other players are performing has zero to do with that. But, their numbers are actually day in and day out vs MLB pitching and talent. So, ultimately there is no comparison... yet.

The point I attempted to make, AR isn't getting shafted and he's not "stuck". He's getting paid life changing money to play a game he loves. He's getting an opportunity very few young men get. That's how he needs to see it and be prepared for when he does get his shot. We should all be so "stuck"!

There are two sides to any organization, the business side and the baseball operations side. Ownership individuals or groups tend to focus on the business side, unless of course we're talking about Branch Rickey or George Steinbrenner. They were hands on guys. No arument with your point about the motivation to own an MLB team - there are several.

All 30 teams now have Analytics Departments, some heavily staffed, others to a lesser degree. Some are large, given more responsibiity within the organization, and enjoy greater stature with the GM and ownership. Within some organizations, they do occupy executive suites with the Scouting Department located a floor below. Within most organizations now, the Director of Analytics has the ear of the G.M. not so much, the Director of scouting. Of course, the smart GM's listen to both. There have been reports that in recent drafts, the "Quants" are part of a small, select group occupying the draft day war room, while the scouts are sequestered in an adjacent locale. Like it or not, when it comes to most player decisions, the "suits with laptops" are diving the bus. I should mention that manipulating the YOS provision has nothing to do with statistics, that's a business decision.

Finally, nobody said Adley was stuck. I believe what Beaver fans here are saying is that he is being manipulated by an organization that is engaged in an exercise of self-interest with little or no regard for the players career. Business is business, but why would you allow an $8m draft selection to languish in the minor leagues for 3 years when many early draft picks are showing up on MLB rosters in their 2nd and 3rd years? Adley is almost 25, he doesn't have forever to play MLB - scouts said he was ready last year and commented about AAA being "childs play" for him. He isn't fine, he would like to get on with his MLB career. Injury or illness can end a career in a heartbeat, every year you can play MLB is precious. Don't spill any of it wasting time in AAA.

I started the thread, so I get the last word.

Man, you are a hoot. First you offer us a scouting report on Rutschman's playing ability and then serve up this gem that was totally irrelevant to the issue.


"Baseball is a very very old school, old boy network and will NEVER change drastically. Owners have varying reasons for their investments, they'll never all be on the same page. And, as long as payrolls are so drastically different there will NEVER be "top to bottom competitive" baseball. Teams will make strides and even have break thru seasons, others will slip. But, their will always be several O's, Rangers, Pirates, Dbacks, Marlins, Nats every season."

If the Business side of the operation "runs the entire show?" why in the hell would you incur all the expense of having a scouting and analytical department, or a GM for that matter. I get the role of ownership, accountants, attorneys, and administration but doesn't the busimess side depend heavily on the Ops side to produce a quality product in the dugout?

I think that's a really simple concept.

Again, you demonstrate you have a keen eye for the obvious regarding ownership and the money. I think we all understand organizational charts. However, that wasn’t the point - ownership isn’t an Island, they are dependent on departments within the organization regardless of how they are configured or budgeted, and if you disagree, my question was, why have them?

And again, you choose to wander far afield from the point of this thread. This was about Baltimore's "extensive" seasoning with the best prospect in baseball. It wasn't about ownership philosophies or differing intents, it was about AR and years of service. A simple issue really in spite of your aimless meanderings and ownership pontifications..

"PS- let's try easing into this again! The ownership/biz side controls ALL the ops. Period. The $$ are dealt out by ownership's approval and it determines the priorities and quality of the internal departments of each franchise. Whether an owner/ownership group wants to win at all costs or skimp and make $$ spending as little as possible (no real concern about W's) every organization has similar setups. But, not "expenses". Its pretty obvious franchises don't all spend the same. Not within the organization itself or on players."

AR is fine. He's developing both mentally and physically at a great rate and will be ready to face MLB competition when he gets his opportunity. He's maybe more important to this board because he's an OSU product, but he's not getting "screwed" and is not getting treated unfairly or any different than 100's of other touted prospects. Team management styles vary, but all in all the call to bring up players is a crapshoot. More players fail and are sent down than stick.

I’ll roll the dice here – I think there was almost no risk in bringing Adley up to the Show last year. And, what do the baseball people think?

Since 2004, no catcher has hit at least .280 with 30 home runs in a season. Jorge Posada was the last to do it when he hit .281 with 30 home runs in 2003. The only other catcher to do it this millennium was Mike Piazza, who did it three years in a row from 2000-02. Adley Rutschman will be the one to end that drought. Rutschman, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, made his long-awaited full-season debut in 2021 and did not disappoint. The 23-year-old Orioles prospect hit .285/.397/.502 with 23 home runs, 75 RBIs, 79 walks and 90 strikeouts between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk and received universal praise for his defense and on-field leadership.

That performance would be impressive for any player. The fact it came from a switch-hitting catcher elevates it from impressive to special. “You don’t have guys who can play the position like he can,” one National League pro scouting director said. “Controls the zone, has impact potential with the bat, has a chance to be a well above-average catcher. It’s just so rare.” In an era of declining offensive production from catchers, Rutschman projects to be an outlier. Catchers combined to hit .228 in the major leagues last season, the lowest batting average for the position since 1918. They struck out in more than a quarter of their plate appearances, the only position group to reach that threshold even in an era of increased strikeout rates. In short, teams today don’t get the production from their catchers that Rutschman will give to the Orioles.

He is a better hitter from the right side (.350, 1.060 OPS) than the left side (.256, .825) but is plenty dangerous from both. Observers freely describe his command of the strike zone as “elite”, and his feel for contact earns consensus plus grades. If everything comes together, he has the ability to hit for power and average like no other catcher has in nearly two decades.
“He can be the best catcher in baseball and one of the best players in baseball,” one longtime American League pro scouting director said. “.280 with 30 bombs is perfectly reasonable. That type of production. He’s a well-rounded offensive player, he’s going to get on base, he’s going to hit for power, he’s going to make contact. He’s already a very, very good offensive player at the hardest position in baseball.”

Rutschman’s offense draws the loudest raves, in part because there is nothing subtle about his explosive power and elite on-base skills. His defense, however, is hardly a weak point.
Rutschman is a consensus plus defender behind the plate with quiet movements, solid framing skills and excellent blocking and throwing. As important as his physical abilities, his leadership and steady presence fit what every team looks for in a catcher.
“He reminds me of a young (Buster) Posey a lot in the way that he carries himself,” one opposing scout said. “Very quiet, very respectful, tremendous leadership that shows on the field. Plays hard. I like the way he calls the game, I like how he takes charge behind the dish … He’s a franchise player.”

When it comes to pure talent, few players in baseball combine Rutschman’s offensive potential with his defensive attributes at a premium position. As long as he stays healthy, he has a chance to be one of baseball's elite young players.
“There’s nothing he doesn’t do,” an NL assistant general manager said. “Plus defender now and in the future. Doesn’t strike out, hits for power. Line them up, the scouting reports, the statistical weights, doesn’t matter. He’s way above the rest.”