Dallas Orioles Game Recaps
Your place to read about each and every game.
It's that time of year again. The weather is warmer, days are longer, and the struggle for a decent strike zone has returned! Hell yes, it's baseball season, which means it's time for the 2017 Season Preview for your favorite team around, the Dallas Orioles.
The team has added some new blood for the spring season. JP Weber made his Orioles debut during the Dallas Open and made one of the most incredible catches we have ever seen. With his long, Fabio-like hair and top end speed, JP will be noticed on the base paths and around the league. Another couple guys who joined in the fall will make their spring debuts, Vinnie Pokornowski and Rolando Villa. Vinnie was a horse on the mound for the O's in Fall Ball, working fast and throwing strikes. He figures to play a prominent role in the rotation going forward. Rolando was no slouch himself, playing solid defense at first base and throwing quality innings when put in there. He'll be a nice option in relief and the occasional spot start. There are three brand spanking new players as well: Justin Soto, Pierce Ryan, and Zaza de la Soujeole. Justin comes to us from California and has recently moved into the area. He is a middle infielder by trade and will become Timmy Hanan's new long toss partner has it seems he actually has the arm to throw with him. A solid bat and will also throw some in relief for us. Pierce Ryan was this year's draft pick. He's a local kid who graduated from Jesuit High and played there, earning All-District his senior year for a team that went to the state regional finals. He'll be playing both infield and outfield for us. Zaza is brother to long-time Dallas Oriole, Luc. We officially have two Frenchies! Zaza plays second and it's possible we see the brother's play up the middle together at some point this year. While there are more new faces this year than ever before, we still many faces that you know and love. Manager Tony Cass, Cody Gladney, Boston Coppedge, Preston Cole, and Carlos Colon are all returning for their 6th season with the O's. Long-time regulars Luc de la Soujeole and Tim Hanan are back in action and ready to be the deadly 1-2 punch at the top of the order once again. All of our all-stars from last year are returning as well: Luc, Tanner Stevenson, Jake Bellington, and Josh McEachin. Tanner picked up a fiancée over the off-season so a new permanent nickname will be upcoming. Bachelor doesn't seem to fit a man engaged to be married. Congrats bud! Last year's spring addition, Jeff Lunsford will be back as well to see if he can lead the team in bombs this year and Alex Faught will be part-time this year as he has a crazy year ahead. The pitching staff seems to get better and better every year. Josh "McEasy" McEachin is back for his second year with the O's and looks to make it three straight years as the American League win leader. McEasy went 7-1 last year and looks to continue his strong play into 2017. Timmy "The Cannon" Hanan has returned for his 5th year on the squad and (SPOILER ALERT!) will get the Opening Day start against the Indians this Sunday. Timmy had 5 saves last year and will be a key cog in the pitching rotation. Cody "Warhorse" Gladney returns this year after a solid 4-1 record last year, which was good for 2nd on the team in wins. He's also got his son, Cade, due in about two weeks so we're all pretty excited about that. His dad will be teaching him how to place a fastball on the outside corner in no time. Remember Cody, you get one game off. Newcomer Vinnie Pokornowski should round out the rotation, giving us four solid guys who can go out and throw deep into games. Relief pitching is always tricky in this league but there are many people who we'll rely on to bridge the gaps this year. Preston Cole had a 10.5 K/9 last year which led the team. PCole not only has returned to strike out batters, he's also picked up a fiancée over the off-season and (smartly) planned a January wedding. He knows not to schedule a wedding in-season. (Looking at you Tanner!) Rolando Villa and Justin Soto will be relied on as well to get outs in the middle innings. A newcomer to the bullpen, Tanner Stevenson has been working a little bit on the mound and we should see his fresh arm come out in a few games this year. JP Weber threw well for the O's in the Dallas Open and makes a welcome addition to the bullpen, along with Sweetbeard who will make the occasional appearance as well. Offensively, the team returns a majority of players who helped the O's average over 8 runs a game. The team is a balanced up and down the lineup as ever seen before and should continue to generate runs at a quality clip. Tanner Stevenson looks to continue his .450+ batting average days in 2017 and anchor the O's offense from the cleanup spot. Boston Coppedge looks to rebound after a down year average wise and put up another 20+ RBI's again this season. Frenchie will be taking off on the basepaths and wants to have another year of double digit steals. McEasy looks to continue his strong offense start after hiting .375 last year and being in the top 3 in multiple offensive categories. Hanan was quite possibly the hottest hitter in the Dallas area from Labor Day onwards as he hit close to .700 over his final 15 games of the season. Lunsford, Bellington, and Cass all hit over .300 last year as well. The team is going to score runs. With the new additions and return of already solid players, the O's are primed to reclaim the American League crown from the Tube Sox (terrible name) aka Nationals this spring. American League Preview to come later on tonight.
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AuthorDallas Orioles Baseball Club Archives
March 2019
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