Social Media Rewind: Spring Training Begins
A number of former and future Shorebirds migrated south last week to begin preparing for the 2015 season, as the Baltimore Orioles kicked off Spring Training in Sarasota, Fla. While the O's don't play a Spring Training game until March 3, it's still exciting to see players resuming baseball activities and getting in shape for summer.
While roster assignments are still a ways off, there were still developments to share from the first weekend of workouts. Here's a tidy social media recap of what you may have missed out on.
Shorebirds alum Zach Britton (2008) was eager to escape the cold, and he made sure to rub it in our faces.
Beautiful weather in Sarasota! Sorry everyone in Bmore. Excited to get spring training started. #orioles pic.twitter.com/h7TSmogzEg
- Zach Britton (@zbritton) February 16, 2015
Pitcher Tim Berry(2011-2012) is no longer a secret in the Orioles farm system, and it seems everyone wants a piece of him heading into 2015.
Just finished signing for @toppscards. If u pull this 1 of 1 edition and want to trade, hit me up. pic.twitter.com/W07Fbok0OC
- Tim Berry (@xTimBerry) February 18, 2015
Challenge accepted, Tim.
When the big day came, we couldn't contain our excitement.
(•_•) <) )╯Pitchers / \ \(•_•) ( (> and catchers / \ (•_•) <) )> report today / \
- Delmarva Shorebirds (@shorebirds) February 19, 2015
While the first few days of workouts are only mandatory for pitchers and catchers, some position players showed up early. Naturally, a pair of 2011 Shorebirds in Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop were a part of the group that wanted to get work in.
Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop doing some baserunning drills. #orioles pic.twitter.com/bUNWXLawpU
- Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) February 21, 2015
Dylan Bundy (2012) demonstrated that he had been working on his game face over the winter.
Baseball is happening! RT @EddieInTheYard: Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy. pic.twitter.com/IUogbKNCjX
- Delmarva Shorebirds (@shorebirds) February 20, 2015
One of the coolest developments in Sarasota for Shorebirds fans to follow is pitcher Hunter Harvey's invitation to Major League camp. After a stellar 2014 season with Delmarva, he's caught the attention of veteran players who made sure to see what the 20-year-old prospect had to offer.
Buck loves how the veteran pitchers stick around to watch younger guys throw. Tillman and Britton shook Hunter Harvey's hand after session.
- Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) February 21, 2015
No word if he has washed that hand yet. Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com has a nice story on Harvey's first bullpen session of the season, which includes some flattering feedback from Orioles manager Buck Showalter.
Not all pitchers were able to report, as future Shorebird Pat Connaughton remained north over the weekend. He had a good excuse, however, as he is still playing basketball for Notre Dame.
Our Captain, Pat Connaughton, is in Massachusetts for his final collegiate game in his home state. #10 ND - BC 4pm pic.twitter.com/mzEUteQaEC
- Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) February 21, 2015
Opening Day is approaching rapidly, with the Orioles kicking off the season on April 6 while the Shorebirds will begin their season on April 9.