Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is not pleased with his club’s representation in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
Despite having the second-best record in the majors, the Orioles had just three players named to the “Midsummer Classic” — shortstop Gunnar Henderson, catcher Adley Rutschman and starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, who is also an American League Cy Young Award candidate.
“You’d think that we’d get more guys in. I’m disappointed in that,” Hyde told the media in Oakland, where the Orioles won two of three games in the weekend series. “But hopefully, they’ll have All-Star second halves also.”
Several other players for the Orioles are having All-Star-caliber seasons, including Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn and Anthony Santander. All of those players had been finalists during Phase 2 of All-Star fan voting but none made the cut for a starting spot or reserve role.
Westburg, who is slashing .281/.328/.506 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs, finished second to José Ramírez for the starting third base spot. Cleveland’s third baseman is batting .269/.320/.526 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs. The Guardians have the second-best record in the American League behind the Orioles.
O’Hearn, who is batting .285/.344/.467 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs, finished second to Houston’s Yordan Alvarez (.298./.382/.545, 19 homers, 50 RBIs) as the starting designated hitter. However, Alvarez is dealing with a knee injury, which could open the door for O’Hearn to take his spot.
Closer Craig Kimbrel, who is tied for third in MLB with 23 saves, could have gotten more consideration. Starter Grayson Rodriguez also has a strong argument to make the team. He is 11-3 — tied for the MLB lead for wins — with a 3.52 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. The other two players with 11 wins — Kansas City’s Seth Lugo and Atlanta’s Chris Sale — made their respective All-Star teams.
“When you have a team of this caliber and only three guys get to go, yeah, it definitely sucks,” O’Hearn told reporters in Oakland. “It is what it is. I’m very happy for Corbin, Gunnar and Adley. They’re extremely deserving.”
Update: Jordan Westburg was named the replacement for Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, who opted to pass on the All-Star Game to spend time with family.
Can Kjerstad Provide Power Boost?
Heston Kjerstad is showcasing his raw power for the Orioles in his second stint with the club this season.
He smashed a 406-foot, three-run homer to left-center to help lead the Orioles past the Oakland A’s in the series finale on July 7.
Kjerstad is batting .295/.392/.545 with three home runs and 12 RBIs since being recalled on June 24. He is becoming increasingly comfortable at the plate and manager Brandon Hyde has rewarded him with more playing time.
“I just want to help the team win games, any way I can do that,” Kjerstad told the media after the Orioles’ final game ever at the Oakland Coliseum. “Offense, defense, or whatever role they put me in. Whenever your name’s called on, whether you’ve gotten to play every day or you haven’t played in a couple of days, you’ve got to show up and do your job and help the team win.”
The Orioles have a crowded outfield with Kjerstad, Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser, Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins. However, Kjerstad is separating himself from the pack with his recent play. He has 11 hits in his last 30 at-bats heading into a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs starting July 9.
“[Kjerstad] has given us a boost,” Hyde said. “He’s got that power potential, and he’s taking good at-bats. He’s popping one every once in a while and getting some big hits for us.”
Fifth Starter Quandary
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has a tough decision to make with the Orioles fifth starter in a battle between Cade Povich and Cole Irvin.
Both players have struggled recently, increasing the demand from fans for general manager Mike Elias to trade for another starting pitcher.
For now, Corbin Burnes is atop the rotation, followed by Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer and the surprising Albert Suárez.
Irvin was recently sent to the bullpen after a rough June. However, Povich’s spot in the rotation is also in question after a disastrous performance against Oakland on July 6, when he allowed eight runs across one-plus innings in a lopsided 19-8 loss.
Povich is 1-3 with a 6.51 ERA in six starts since being promoted on June 6.
“There’s always stuff to learn from,” Povich told the media after the game. “It doesn’t matter what team it is at this level, if you’re not on attack and coming out with your best stuff, it’s going to happen to you.”
Irvin was not much better that same afternoon against the A’s, allowing five runs and five hits with three walks in four innings.
Irvin (6-5, 4.46 ERA) is also out of options, so the Orioles can’t send him to Triple-A without sending him through waivers. It likely won’t come to that, but both Irvin and Povich need to perform better if they want to get opportunities in the rotation during the second half of the season.
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