'It's an honor': O'Hearn emerging as O's veteran leader

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Finding himself in a very different position than he was one year ago, Ryan O'Hearn is intent on enjoying the experience this time around.

“It's a fun change for me, because I feel like my whole career I've been fighting for one of those last two spots,” he said. “It's been awesome, and I'm still trying to keep up the intensity and get myself ready to go.”

As a non-roster invitee in 2023, O’Hearn was locked in a battle for a roster spot that he eventually conceded. He began the season with Triple-A Norfolk, but a short stint with the O’s in April turned into a full-time gig when May rolled around and O’Hearn made the most of it, posting an .802 OPS with a career-high 60 RBIs in 112 games.

? In Year 2 with Orioles, O’Hearn more than a surprise star

Last season’s results, O’Hearn’s lefty bat and defensive versatility made him an easy roster choice moving forward. Manager Brandon Hyde said O’Hearn’s six seasons of MLB experience only adds to the package. At 30 years old, O’Hearn isn’t exactly graying at the temples, but he does bring a veteran presence to a clubhouse in which he’s the sixth oldest on the 40-man roster. (Lefty John Means, who’s three months older than O’Hearn, catcher James McCann, who’s a whopping 33, closer Craig Kimbrel, and relievers Kaleb Ort and Danny Coulombe are the only O’s closer to their AARP cards.)

“It's been really fun to kind of have more of a veteran role and be able to speak more freely in team meetings and things like that,” O’Hearn said. “It's obviously an honor to have stuck around the game this long to be able to be that presence, and I'm enjoying it.”

This spring, O’Hearn’s roster spot is secure and he’s free to relax, focus on building up toward the season and get his timing down at the plate, a luxury he’s grateful for and one that appears to be paying off as the season draws closer.

“I could play tomorrow. I feel good. I feel ready to go,” said O’Hearn, who finished 0-for-2 with a walk against Tampa Bay on Friday to bring his Grapefruit League average to .267 with five walks in 12 games. “Spring Training is fun. I enjoy seeing the young guys play a lot and kind of getting your feet back underneath you, but I feel like we're getting to the point where it's almost go time, and I'm just trying to crank up the intensity and get ready for Opening Day.”

O’Hearn is expected to fill several roles this season but will likely spend most of his time at first base and designated hitter, with opportunities in the corner outfield spots as well.

He's on the team, he just needs to get ready for the season,” Hyde said Friday before the O’s 7-2 loss to the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. “He's earned it, and he deserves it. And he's one of the leaders on our team, also. I love the way he goes about his business. He's a total professional.”

This and that
? MLB’s No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday continued his hot spring, belting a two-out single up the middle in the second to boost his Grapefruit League slash line to .297/.316/.541. Holliday, the O’s projected starting second baseman, has three doubles, two triples, one home run and six RBIs this spring.

? Dean Kremer continued to stretch out with 71 pitches (43 for strikes) over 4 1/3 frames. Kremer allowed just one run on two hits, with the Rays scoring after Kremer issued his lone walk, hit the next batter and allowed an RBI single to center field.

He retired the last 10 Rays he faced before turning the ball over to Albert Suárez.

“It just clicked [after the first inning],” Kremer said. “I think I kind of sped up a little bit, kind of got on time and went from there.”