O’s aggressive new mentality on the bases on display early

During Spring Training, Buck promised that with a full year of Nate McLouth, the return of Brian Roberts and Nolan Reimold, and the addition of Alexi Casilla, the Orioles were going to become much more aggressive on the base paths. It didn’t take long for the Orioles to show off their new mentality – in the top of the second inning Reimold took off on David Price’s first move

Unfortunately that move was to James Loney at first base, but it sent a message around the Major Leagues that Orioles are going to run and run often.

Adding the element of speed to the Orioles’ game could be what takes them to the next level. Stolen bases are so underrated around the baseball world, but a simple walk or single can easily turn into RISP.

Runners can also become a distraction to a pitcher, catcher, or manager. When a pitcher has a runner on base that is a threat to steal, it sticks in the back of their minds. They have to keep an extra eye on the runner, make sure their delivery is quick to the plate, and can completely throw off a pitcher’s rhythm.

Once a runner can get into the head of pitcher, pitchers could completely fall apart. They could lose their release point, make a bad pitch, or make an errant throw on a pickoff attempt. All three can make an immediate impact to the outcome of a game.

Catchers also have to be particular about the pitches they call in certain counts. If the runner knows an off speed pitch is coming, then the runner is more likely to steal on that pitch. By affecting what pitches can thrown, and limiting the amount of off speed pitches thrown when a speedster is on base, it allows the batter to see more fastballs – certainly more ideal in any scenario.

Even having that threat on the base path can simply affect the positioning of the infield. It keeps the first baseman attached to the bag, creating a larger hole between him and the second baseman. It also can make the shortstop and second baseman pinch a little more up the middle than they usually would for a double play scenario.

Plus, Buck can start to implement the classic hit and run – sending a runner and giving the green light for batters to try and smack the ball in the hole created when the shortstop or second baseman move to cover the bag. Having the runner already in motion can turn a simple single that may only move a runner one bag into runners at the corners or even an RBI.

It’s simple – putting runners in motion makes things happen. It makes fielders make plays, it makes pitchers think, and it opens up opportunities.

Expect Buck to continue to be aggressive on the base paths, and the shoulders of Wayne Kirby and Bobby Dickerson to get a work out.