The Baltimore Orioles this spring host the best record in the Grapefruit League as they currently sit at 9-1 with the lone loss coming to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a split-squad game. Today they will take on the Minnesota Twins with Dean Kremer taking the ball and making his second start of the spring, in his first outing against these same Twins he went two innings giving up one run on two hits; he walked one and struck out two picking up the win.
Orioles News & Notes
Gunnar Henderson
Henderson will make his spring debut today against the Twins. The reigning Rookie of the Year winner has not played a Grapefruit League game yet as he has been dealing with an oblique injury. He started taking batting practice on Friday and felt good so he will give it a go today. Henderson last season hit .255 with a .814 OPS; he had 28 home runs, 82 RBI, 100 runs scored, ten stolen bases, and 56 walks in 150 games. He also took home a Silver Slugger in 2023 as well as finished eighth in MVP voting.
Colton Cowser
Cowser is the 19th-ranked prospect by ITD and the second-ranked Orioles prospect. This spring he is tied for the league lead in home runs having hit three. He also has six RBI, and four runs scored, and he is hitting .364 with a 1.745 OPS. Cowser said “I love hitting home runs, but I’d rather not lead the Grapefruit League in home runs. I’d rather be able to do that during the regular season.”
Corbin Burnes
Burnes is the prized offseason acquisition by the Orioles and this spring he has made two starts. The first start came against the Boston Red Sox and Burnes looked good going one inning, he didn’t allow a run; he didn’t issue a walk, and struck out two. His second start against the Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t go as well as he went 1.2 innings giving up three runs on three hits; he walked one and struck out three. So far this spring he is 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA, a 1.88 WHIP, and five strikeouts in 2.2 innings. He will throw a simulated game on Tuesday in Sarasota.
Grayson Rodriguez
Rodriguez is currently working on his mechanics this spring. He has made two starts, the first came against the Detroit Tigers in which he went two innings giving up one run on one hit; he walked one and struck out two. His second start came yesterday when he went two innings again giving up one run on three hits; he walked two and struck out two. He has thrown four innings combined with a 4.50 ERA, a 2.50 WHIP, and four strikeouts in four innings.
