Pair of young international talents get off to good offensive starts at Chesapeake Baysox lineup features Estrada, but also Sosa and De Los Santos

Aron Estrada is not the only international talent that could come up big this year in the AA Chesapeake lineup.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/pair-of-yo...

Nope.

Pete Alonso took full accountability for his poor start - now will hits/production follow? After 13 games last year Alonso had a 1.260 OPS

Pete Alonso after 13g -

2025: 1.260 OPS, 4 HRs
2026: .538 OPS, 1 HR

On accountability, bat speed, struggles, high expectations and more ---

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/pete-alons...

On Opening Night in Bowie, the Chesapeake Baysox also break out new performance center “We consider it the best facility for player development in all of minor league baseball," said GM Brian Shallcross

The AA Chesapeake Baysox got a first look at their new performance center & plush clubhouse in Bowie yesterday. State of the art batting cages too.

"They weren’t joking when they said it’s the best in minor lg baseball," said IF Brandon Butterworth.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/on-opening...

Orioles swept, sluggish start, Adley Rutschman hitting is a bright spot | Birdland Territory YouTube video by Birdland Territory

New show/podcast!

Introducing Birdland Territory, we are part of the Foul Territory Network.

Yours truly, TimBarbalace from 105.7 the Fan and former O's pitcher Brad Brach talking Orioles!

Today was our debut episode, check it out ---

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eggm...

Led by international stars Luis De Leon and Aron Estrada, AA Chesapeake opens tonight Baysox roster features six top 30 prospects

With some international star power to lead the way, the AA Chesapeake Baysox open a new season tonight with RHP Trace Bright on the mound.

More on the Baysox ---

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/led-by-int...

Wednesday afternoon O's notes: Birds score eight to end first homestand at 3-3 Trevor Rogers is now 2-0 to start the year

No foolin' - O's with their first 2-HR game, tie season best with 8 runs and another win in another Rogers start.

End the first stand at 3-3 ----

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/wednesday-...

For Anthony Nunez, the best part of his MLB debut was sharing it with Mom Nunez retired all six Twins, fanning three, in first O's game on Saturday

O's Anthony Nunez explained why sharing his MLB debut with his Mom was so meaningful.

"She was working 3-4 jobs to get me to tournaments. She wouldn’t buy me the newest phone, but she would buy me the newest glove or bat."

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/for-anthon...

Not exactly per the plan, but Carter Baumler's long road back takes him to Camden Yards Selected from the O's in Rule 5 draft, he's now in the Texas Rangers' bullpen

Amazing offseason story when O's 2020 draft pick Carter Baumler was taken in the Rule 5.

Hardly pitched due to 2 major surgeries:

'22 - 12 IP
'23 - 17
'24 - 20
'25 - 40

His dream of making it to Camden Yds comes true ... but in the Texas bullpen.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/not-exactl...

Steve Melewski | Substack Over two decades covering the Baltimore Orioles at the big league level and also their player development operation. Click to read Steve Melewski, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

Hey Birdland --

Hope you can subscribe to my Substack. Appreciate all the support last yr & here we go for 2026.

Much of the content is free but some for paid only. Either way, love your support & thank you! A ton of minors/player dev stories soon.

SteveonBaseball.Substack.com

Sunday O's notes: Offense came to life to take Twins series Plus notes on Basallo batting fifth and Ward's extra outfield work

The 2025 Orioles did not win any of their first 5 series, going 0-3-2. This team starts 1-0, taking 2 of 3 from the Twins.

Wrapping up the weekend with plenty of stats, notes and quotes -----

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/sunday-os-...

Different days in Birdland: Baz extension followed Basallo and Alonso contracts O's believe Camden Yards is becoming "a place players want to be."

O's owner David Rubenstein tdy: “We are willing to back him (Mike Elias) financially for whatever he thinks makes sense. We’ve done that. Don’t think we’ve turned down any requests & we’re open for business."

More on the latest contract extension --

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/different-...

O's have to be very excited about the possibility of a full year for Kyle Bradish Bradish has an ERA+ of 146 since 2023

ERA+ last yr -

142 - Max Fried
159 - Garrett Crochet

Kyle Bradish is at 146 since 2023. He surely fits in with the very best. That is why the O's no doubt will work hard to keep him out there thru Oct.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/os-have-to...

Coby Mayo gets his chance at third base starting Thursday against Minnesota Mayo had an OPS of 1.039 in spring games

After producing a 1.039 spring OPS, Coby Mayo gets a big opportunity to start at third base for the Orioles.

“He had a terrific camp,” the O’s Mike Elias said. “I think he’s ready.”

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/coby-mayo-...

As RHP Zach Eflin's arm slot dropped his ERA increased Eflin's arm slot should be much better and consistent now post surgery

As Zach Eflin's back hurt him, his arm slot dropped, his ERA went up.

Back in 2023, with his optimal/higher arm slot, he finished 6th for the Cy Young award. Now he feels even better than he did then.

Big yr ahead???

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/as-rhp-zac...

O's Sunday night notes on team chemistry, rotation strength and a possible bullpen loss O's beat the Nats Sunday at O's Park

There are no stats in baseball for team chemistry.

"I wish there was," mgr Craig Albernaz said today.

Maybe because the '26 O's would ace any chemistry test. Can it hold up?

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/os-sunday-...

A couple of hard-throwing right-handers lead second half of O's international top 20 list Part 3 of a 4-part series on O's international prospects

Looking at the second half of my O's top 20 international prospects list, headed up by RHP Keeler Morfe and including a few members of their 2026 signing class.

Pic courtesy FotoJoe Photography.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/a-couple-o...

Steve Melewski On Spring Training 2026 Podcast Episode · On The Verge | An Orioles Prospect Podcast · March 18 · 36m

A big thanks to @steveonbaseball.bsky.social for joining us this week to talk a little Orioles spring training and highlight his top O's international prospects list!

Apple: bit.ly/3NaKOC1
Spotify: bit.ly/4uGWz42
YouTube: bit.ly/40D2QQs

Three reasons why this could be a special season in Birdland Reasons for optimism as Opening Day is now close

A look at a few reasons why this O's team might be a playoff contender.

Seeking to follow Tor's path. Jays last year went from 74 to 94 wins to the WS.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/three-reas...

A few random thoughts on the World Baseball Classic Team USA plays Venezuela in the championship game tonight

The WBC championship game is tonight. O's Gunnar Henderson is leading Team USA in avg, slug and OPS.

Plus a few notes on the pitchers tonight and their O's connections ----

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/a-few-rand...

Next part of O's top 20 international prospects list headed by top-100 caliber talent No. 2 prospect already listed in two top 100s

A couple of talented lefties, a RHP that has touched 102 mph and an OFer tearing up the back fields in Fla this March are in the next group of this O's international top 20 prospects list ----

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/next-part-...

Time for the fifth annual Orioles' top 20 international prospects list After his MLB debut and contract extension, Samuel Basallo is still No. 1

This is the dream in international scouting - sign a player, who by the time he turns 21, is in the big lgs & signing a contract extension.

In my 5th annual top 20 O's international prospects list, he's still No. 1.

This is the O's best top 20 ever.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/time-for-t...

Tomorrow via my Substack - my 5th annual O's top 20 international prospects list.

3 on this list have already been top 100. 4 of top 11 are Ps. 8 have gotten bonuses of 1M or more. Easily the O's strongest list ever.

O's much better in this vital market.

Subscribe --

SteveonBaseball.Substack.com

Is new O's outfielder Taylor Ward flying under the radar right now? O's new slugger hit 36 HRs and drove in 103 in the 2025 season

If a player with 36 HRs last year can fly under the radar for the Orioles, Taylor Ward is doing it right now.

Once the season starts, that is going to change---

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/is-new-os-...

Today's guest: O's RHP Trey Gibson A conversation with the O's 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year

A great conversation on my podcast today with O's 2025 Minor Lg Pitcher of the Year, Trey Gibson ----

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/todays-gue...

An amazing start: Vance Honeycutt has three homers in just three spring ABs O's 2024 top pick had a high strikeout rate last year with Aberdeen

Profiling CF Vance Honeycutt, the O’s top draft pick in 2024, that has 3 HRs in 3 ABs this spring. Potential 5-tool talent looking to reclaim his previous top prospect form. LY dropped him from O's No. 4 prospect to No. 28.

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/an-amazing...

For 'official' news I'd suggest @steveonbaseball.bsky.social & @jakerill.bsky.social
For fan accounts that also post articles and interesting stuff I'd suggest @oriolesreview.bsky.social, @oriolebird.bsky.social, @mattkremnitzer.bsky.social, @thedishwasher.bsky.social, & @birdlandmetrics.com

A noteworthy day for me: I started this Substack one year ago today Thanks to O's fans, going strong a year later and looking ahead to a new season

A yr ago tdy I started my Substack. I was out on my own. Equal parts exciting & terrifying. But I love covering the O's & a yr later feel great abt taking the leap.

Growing daily, but I cld not do a thing without O's fans. Your support means everything!

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/a-notewort...

A few O's pitching prospects make a nice early impression in Sarasota Today a look at the trio of Trey Gibson, Levi Wells and Nestor German

A few O's pitching prospects make a nice early impression and the AAA rotation could be solid ----

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/a-few-os-p...

Today's guest: The O's Anthony Villa A conversation with the Orioles' Director of Player Development

I learned during this podcast with O's dir of PD Anthony Villa that Balt minor lgrs in 2025 led all of MLB in bunt attempts. Specific directive LY.

Villa: "The best way to practice something is to do it in the stress of the gm."

More here ---

steveonbaseball.substack.com/p/todays-gue...