O's confident entering '24: 'Talent is off the charts'

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Corbin Burnes wasn’t a member of the 2023 Orioles, a successful team that went an American League-best 101-61 and won the AL East title. But it didn’t take long this spring for the new ace to realize the ‘24 version of the club could be just as special.

“It’s easy to see why they won 101 games last year,” Burnes said. “Looking forward to being a part of it this year. I think we’ve got a great group of arms, a great group of bats, a very young group, a very cohesive group. It’s one of those years that expectations are high, so we’ve just got to go out and keep our heads down and play our best baseball.”

With only four days until Opening Day -- when Burnes will make his Baltimore debut vs. the Angels at Camden Yards -- the anticipation will now kick into high gear.

The Orioles concluded their Grapefruit League slate with an 8-3 win over the Twins at Hammond Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman both hit long home runs -- Statcast-projected 451 and 460 feet, respectively -- and Grayson Rodriguez tossed three scoreless innings as the team had a strong final tune-up before heading to Baltimore.

It was a successful Spring Training for the O’s because they stayed mostly healthy. Outfielders Cedric Mullins (right hamstring discomfort) and Austin Hays (right shoulder contusion) had minor ailments, as well as first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (neck stiffness) and catcher James McCann (back tightness). But they’re all ready to go for the start of the regular season.

Spring Training game results may not matter, but the Orioles finished with a 23-6-2 Grapefruit League record for an MLB-best .793 winning percentage this spring. The 23 wins are their most in a Spring Training in team history (since 1954).

“It’s going to be 0-0 after today,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I’ve seen really good teams be way under .500 in Spring Training, so I’m not putting any stock into it. I’ve liked the way we’ve played. So hopefully, we continue the high level of play we’ve played defensively, and I think our at-bats have gotten better over the course of the spring.”

Although Baltimore can begin to prepare for its opening three-game series vs. the Halos -- which it will do with a workout at Camden Yards on Tuesday night -- it still needs to finalize its Opening Day roster. But the team has until Thursday to do so.

The bulk of the team is in place. The Orioles will also place starters Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain) and John Means (left elbow recovery) on the injured list, which already features closer Félix Bautista (Tommy John surgery).

The eight-man bullpen appears to be set after right-hander Jonathan Heasley was optioned to Minor League camp on Sunday. That means lefty Keegan Akin and righty Jacob Webb will get the final two spots in the bullpen, barring any acquisitions.

Outfielder Colton Cowser (Baltimore’s No. 3 prospect) was informed Sunday that he made the Opening Day roster. Meanwhile, outfielder Ryan McKenna and utility man Nick Maton were told they did not make the team, according to a source. So the front-runner for the final bench spot is infielder/outfielder Tyler Nevin, who should get the spot unless the team acquires another player.

Baltimore’s objective heading into the season is clear: return to the postseason and avenge last year’s AL Division Series loss, when it was swept by eventual World Series champion Texas.

“We obviously didn’t accomplish the end goal last year, and the guys have shown up to Spring Training just picking up where we left off,” McCann said. “It’s a quality group of guys. The talent is off the charts, and I’m excited to see guys that are entering Year 2, Year 3, even Year 4, take that next step.

“I think we’re just going to continue to get closer as a team. The chemistry that we have here is what helped us win 101 games last year, and I look forward to us having another successful year this year.”

How good could the 2024 Orioles be? Maybe even better than last year’s iteration, which ended the franchise’s seven-year postseason drought and captured its first division title since ‘14.

Spring Training only boosted the confidence of Baltimore heading into a new season.

“I'd like to think we're going to be better than last year. I think we have the chance to do that,” Rodriguez said. “This clubhouse is ready. Now, we know what we can accomplish. We're pretty eager to get after it.”