NEWSLETTER
If you have an MLB.TV subscription: I suggest you try to catch a Baltimore Orioles game soon. The Orioles lineup is chock-full of young talent, and they’re absolutely mashing the baseball right now. They’re fun to watch if you can make the time.
The Baltimore Orioles just can’t stop hitting home runs
Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, and Ryan O’Hearn all homered in Baltimore’s 11-3 win over the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards last night. That’s significant because it’s the fourth straight game where at least three O’s hitters have gone yard. The last time the Orioles offense pulled off such a feat was in May 2013.
“It just feels like whenever we’re clicking, this is the kind of night we can have,” said Henderson. “Just being able to put one of these nights together is really fun, and it just shows what this offense can do.”
Henderson has homered in back-to-back contests and leads the Orioles with five home runs. Westburg and O’Hearn are right behind Henderson with four-a-piece. But they’re not alone. Colton Cowser and Cedric Mullins also have four home runs this season for the O’s. In total, Baltimore has an MLB-best 27 home runs and an AL-best 100 runs in their first 17 games.
Twins pitcher Chris Paddack—who allowed nine runs on 12 hits to the Orioles lineup last night—called the group a young and hungry lineup with an excellent approach.
“It’s a young, hungry lineup. They had a really good approach,” said Paddack. “Some of those pitches, I kind of just shook my head. You’ve got to tip your cap sometimes.”
Baltimore “arrived early” to their contention window last season, shocking many with 101 wins and an AL East title. With more of their seemingly endless young talent on the roster this season and their offense humming at a historic rate out of the gates, Baltimore’s 2024 season could be even more prolific.
So, like I said, make sure you catch a game. You won’t be disappointed.
The fastest bat in the West. pic.twitter.com/XKPK8sX4xI
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 16, 2024
Learn this name: Jac Caglianone
MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Draft prospect has been called the ‘Collegiate Ohtani,’ a comparison he appreciates and would like to take to the pros after he’s drafted this summer. Caglianone is a left-handed pitcher and a first baseman for the Florida Gators, and he can do both exceptionally well.
Last night, he jacked a 516-foot home run for the Gators, the longest home run measured by Statcast to date was hit 505 feet by Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara against the White Sox in June 2019.
“That went over the scoreboard, ladies and gentlemen!”@GatorsBB’s two-way star Jac Caglianone hit one 516 FEET last night. 😳
(🎥: @ESPN) pic.twitter.com/72jNSMPghB— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2024
That moon shot was Caglianone’s 21st home run of the season for the Gators, who have only played 35 games. His 21 homers trails only Georgia’s Charlie Condon. His .394 batting average, .488 on-base percentage, and .831 slugging percentage are all career highs. He’s also 4-0 with a 3.89 ERA and an 11.2 K/9 on the mound this season.
Oh, by the way, he’s homered in seven straight games! Make sure you familiarize yourself with the superstar junior as we approach the MLB Draft in July.
Which MLB rookies are off to hot starts this season?
Orioles rookie outfielder Colton Cowser has launched four home runs in the last week and picked up six hits and 10 RBI against the Red Sox in a series in Boston. Cowser is slashing .405/.435/.833 for a ridiculous 1.268 OPS in his first 16 major league games. He’s sporting a 260 wRC+, has accumulated 1.1 fWAR, and has a stellar two outs above average at all three outfield spots this season.
Drink your milk, kids. pic.twitter.com/OJX4cjFcUO
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 14, 2024
Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson was named the AL Rookie of the Year in 2023, and Cowser could make a push to become the second consecutive Orioles player to win the award. The last time a team produced back-to-back Rookie of the Year award winners was in 2016-17 when Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger won the prize for the Dodgers in consecutive seasons. Before that, it was Bobby Crosby and Huston Street for the Oakland Athletics in 2005 and 2006.
Cubs fans rejoice: you have not one, but two rookies who have been scorching hot to open the 2024 season. Shōta Imanaga has yet to surrender an earned run in three starts and has opposing hitters chasing at a 33 percent clip. His splitter has been out of this world (53.8 percent chase rate) and has racked up 16 strikeouts.
Michael Busch homered in five straight games and has six on the season, with a 1.141 OPS, which ranks fourth among qualified hitters. Busch ranks in the 99th percentile in barrel rate and the 93rd percentile in average exit velocity this season.
Michael Busch homers AGAIN 🤯
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2024
That's FIVE home runs in five straight games!#YouHaveToSeeIt pic.twitter.com/O8GCayKVSc
Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill is slashing .356/.433/.441 and playing plus defense for the Padres in center field despite never playing there professionally before this season. Merrill owns a 134 wRC+ and has 0.6 fWAR in 20 games for San Diego this season.
There’s not much to be excited about in Oakland these days, but Mason Miller is one bright spot. Miller is pumping his four-seamer at an average of 100.6 mph, but his slider has been even better this season. Opposing hitters are 1 for 15 with eight strikeouts against the slider, and Miller owns a 2.25 ERA, 15 strikeouts, and three saves as the A’s closer this season.
Mason Miller going 102, 102 and 103mph. 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/u26egZ0eBa
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 11, 2024
Extra Innings
Jordan Hicks, 84mph Sweeper and 98mph Two Seamer, Overlay pic.twitter.com/NufMUDiDCN
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 17, 2024
