The Orioles are heading into the 2023 campaign with legitimate postseason aspirations. Their quest to play beyond the regular season for the first time since ¡®16 will get underway next week when Spring Training begins in Sarasota, Fla.
¡°This is honestly the first Spring Training that I¡¯ve been standing here openly talking about the playoffs, so I think that¡¯s a big deal,¡± general manager Mike Elias recently said. ¡°We knew we had talent going into last year, but the way that the team materialized and congealed and just kind of clicked on a clubhouse level, you just never know how that¡¯s going to go.
¡°We¡¯ve been very strategic with everything we¡¯ve done, we¡¯ve been very consistent and deliberate, and now we¡¯re at a point where our focus has turned to getting into the postseason in October.¡±
Here¡¯s everything to know about O¡¯s Spring Training in 2023:
When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
Pitchers and catchers must report to Sarasota, Fla., by Feb. 15, with the first workout scheduled for Feb. 16.
What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
The rest of the position players must report to camp by Feb. 20. The first full-squad workout will be held on Feb. 21.
Where are the team¡¯s facilities?
The Orioles¡¯ facilities are located at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, which has been the team¡¯s Spring Training home since 2010.
Can fans attend workouts?
Yes, workouts on the backfields at Ed Smith Stadium will be open to the public from Feb. 16-24. Practices will take place from approximately 10 a.m.-1 p.m. ET each of those days. They are free to attend, and fans can park in the East Lot.
Who are some new faces fans should know?
The O¡¯s added a pair of quality veteran arms to their starting rotation during the offseason -- right-hander Kyle Gibson and left-hander Cole Irvin. Gibson signed a one-year, $10 million deal and will take over the role of staff leader that was vacated following Jordan Lyles¡¯ departure. Irvin came over in a trade with the A¡¯s and is under team control for the next four seasons.
Baltimore also signed Adam Frazier to a one-year, $8 million deal to be its primary second baseman and acquired James McCann in a trade with the Mets to serve as the backup catcher. Plus, right-hander Mychal Givens, who pitched for the Orioles from 2015-20, will be back in their bullpen after signing a one-year, $3 million deal.
Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
Infielder Gunnar Henderson (the No. 1 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline), right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (No. 7), left-hander DL Hall (No. 97) and infielder Joey Ortiz (No. 99) are on the 40-man roster, so they¡¯ll all be there. Henderson is a lock to make the Opening Day roster and should be the starting third baseman, while Rodriguez has a good chance of earning a rotation spot. Hall will likely either be in Baltimore¡¯s bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk¡¯s rotation to open 2023.
Shortstop Jackson Holliday (No. 12), outfielders Colton Cowser (No. 40) and Heston Kjerstad (No. 80) and infielder Jordan Westburg (No. 74) are notable non-roster invitees who will open the spring in big league camp.
Which players will be participating in the World Baseball Classic?
The following Orioles players will leave camp to participate in the World Baseball Classic: right-hander Dean Kremer (Israel), outfielder Cedric Mullins (USA) and outfielder Anthony Santander (Venezuela).
The World Baseball Classic is taking place from March 8-21, with games being held in Miami, Phoenix, Tokyo and Taichung.
When is the team¡¯s first Grapefruit League game?
The O¡¯s open the Grapefruit League season with a home matchup vs. a Twins split squad at Ed Smith Stadium on Feb. 25 at 1:05 p.m. ET.
What are a few other notable spring games?
Baltimore has five night contests that will begin at 6:05 p.m. ET. Four of those will be held at Ed Smith Stadium (March 3, 10, 23 and 24) and three will be played on consecutive days (March 23-25).
The March 5 road game vs. Tampa Bay will be held at Tropicana Field, as that¡¯s where the Rays are hosting most of their Grapefruit League action this year due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ian at Charlotte Sports Park.
Will the team¡¯s games be televised?
Four O's Grapefruit League games will be broadcast on TV: March 6 vs. Philadelphia (MASN), March 18 at Boston (MASN2), March 21 vs. Boston (MASN) and March 27 vs. St. Louis (MASN).
When is the club¡¯s last game in Florida?
The O¡¯s wrap up their Grapefruit League slate with a March 27 home game vs. the Cardinals.
Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
No. Baltimore will have off-days on March 28 and 29.
What are the details for Opening Day?
The Orioles will open the 2023 season vs. the Red Sox at Fenway Park on March 30 at 2:10 p.m. ET.