The Orioles’ early-season inconsistencies have raised concerns, but former big league catcher and current “Foul Territory” host A.J. Pierzynski says patience is key.
Pierzynski isn’t panicking about the Orioles’ slow start, saying that unpredictability is part of the sport. Baltimore is 12-13 entering a homestand that begins on Aug. 24.
Pierzynski, 49, caught in the majors for the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves from 1998-2016. He hit 188 home runs and scored 807 runs.
Baltimore’s lineup has been struggling to find consistency, but Pierzynski said that is not abnormal. Gunnar Henderson is hitting .189/.269/.443 with seven home runs thus far. Jackson Holliday (hand/wrist), Jordan Westburg (elbow) and Adley Rutschman (ankle) have all missed time.
Pierzynski also pointed to the adjustment period for new players like Pete Alonso contributing to the team’s slow start. Alonso is hitting .213/.327/.372 with three home runs, not his typical pace.
“When you switch teams for the first time, it is a huge deal,” Pierzynski said on Glenn Clark Radio April 21. “Nobody wants to say that because they don’t want to use that as an excuse, but switching teams for the first time like Pete Alonso is a gigantic deal. You have to remember everything is new. He’s still trying to learn people’s names in the clubhouse.”
Pierzynski was more concerned about the Orioles’ younger players like Colton Cowser and Coby Mayo. Cowser is hitting .189 with no home runs, while Mayo is hitting .164 with two home runs.
“How do you get Coby Mayo and some of these younger guys that have been prospects for years and years and years … to take the next step?” Pierzynski said. “That’s what’s confusing to me. Some of these guys just have not taken the next step.”
Despite the inconsistencies, Pierzynski said he is optimistic about Baltimore’s long-term possibilities.
“I still think the Orioles are going to be OK,” he said, adding that pitching may be the biggest concern, not hitting.
Prior to the season, observers questioned the team’s choice to not grab a No. 1 starter during the offseason. The Orioles placed the responsibility on Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, both of whom have had up-and-down starts.
So far, Rogers has a 4.08 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 28.2 innings, striking out 25 batters along the way. Bradish has a 3.96 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 25 innings, striking out 28.
Pierzynski addressed the criticism from fans regarding that decision but said it’s just how the Orioles operate.
“When will they make that one move that just completely puts them over the top?” he said, referencing other times Baltimore has been reluctant to make a big trade.
Pierzynski said that in order to get top-tier talent, the team will have to sacrifice a good prospect.
“You might have to give up a couple of them to get who you need,” he said, using the Corbin Burnes trade as an example.
Even though the Orioles are experiencing some setbacks early this season, they still remain firmly in the American League East mix, as no team has jumped far ahead. Because of that, Pierzynski said fans should stay hopeful and patient.
“It’s not like any team in that division … has a 10-game lead already,” Pierzynski said. “It’s been very, very even so far.”
Ultimately, Pierzynski said he believes Baltimore’s potential success remains in their ability to balance veterans returning, young players developing and pitchers stabilizing.
“This is baseball,” he said. “It’s a wild sport.”
For more from Pierzynski, listen to the full interview here:
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