Colton Cowser had an impressive rookie season. While at times very frustrating, his final numbers were very respectable, at 153 games played, 561 PA, a .242/.321/.447 slash line with 24 HR, 77 RBI, 9 SB, 77 runs scored, a 120 wRC+, and 4.0 fWAR. He did all this while playing 310 innings in centerfield and 810 in left, most in the cavernous left field of OPACY (more on that later), with outstanding defensive metrics, per Statcast.
In what was considered by some to be a relatively weak class of rookies in the American League, it seemed to have him poised for a pretty clear-cut AL Rookie of the Year Award. The only real other contender was pitcher Luis Gil of the New York Yankees, who was outstanding through July, but fell off sharply in August and September, finishing 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 2.2 fWAR.
Well, it seems that the media couldn’t stand to have two Orioles win the award consecutively, as Gil barely nudged out Cowser in the voting.
This was the 2nd-closest AL Rookie of the Year award voting since 1980. pic.twitter.com/W72lPMWO6H
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 19, 2024
The good news is that, unlike the Orioles would’ve, the Yankees will not receive an additional draft pick with Gil winning the award.
Just like the Pirates with Paul Skenes, the Yankees will not receive a free draft pick after Luis Gil won Rookie of the Year
Luis was not ranked Top 100 on 3 of the prospect rankings, so he’s not eligible to be part of the incentive
Kind of a bad look, tbh. Seems way too picky.
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) November 19, 2024
That’s a shame.
As for Cowser, this disappointment aside, if he can cut down on that 30% K rate, walk a little bit more, and stay healthy, he can hit in the middle of the order and play every day in the outfield for a World Series contender. If he learns to steal 2-3x as many bases, as his speed suggests he could be able (75th percentile sprint speed – Jose Ramirez stole 41 bases at 74th), he’s a superstar.
Goodbye, Walltimore
Last week, Orioles GM Mike Elias met with the media on a Zoom call and dropped a bit of a bomb. That aforementioned cavernous left field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards will be no more starting next season.
Via the Orioles, a more neutral left field wall modification https://t.co/hT91pitrTl pic.twitter.com/6SBVg6TvDh
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) November 15, 2024
Mike Elias said he and the baseball ops department didn't like how the left field wall had become a "distraction" in some ways to hitters, especially righties. He's hopeful the new dimensions will be more balanced
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) November 15, 2024
This doesn’t come as a surprise to me. The left field wall, erected prior to the 2022 season along to house the new dimensions, and somewhat affectionately referred to around these parts as Walltimore, was so ugly, I didn’t believe there was any chance it was going to be a permanent fixture. It served as a bridge to the competitive window, helping the O’s as they built up their pitching staff to acceptably competent levels, so as to not continue to get bludgeoned to death by the Aaron Judges and Vlad Guerrero Jrs of the world in the meantime. Moving it back in was likely always part of the plan, even if it went unstated.
Now, it must be said that the above rendering isn’t exactly aesthetically pleasing either. However, I am confident that it doesn’t paint the full picture. At some point in the near future, that open space between the old and new walls will feature…something. Maybe another gathering area, maybe premium seating, or, my personal preference: a crab tank similar to the ray tank in that place the Tampa Bay Rays used to play, or a swimming pool for Mr. Splash to cannonball into on home runs.
Coby Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle stocks soared on the news. Somewhere Trey Mancini punched his couch in frustration.
Another interesting tidbit: while the bill for the last wall renovation was footed by the Maryland Stadium Authority, Orioles owner David Rubenstein and his ownership group are paying this time around.
In 2022, the Maryland Stadium Authority covered the price of Camden Yards' wall change through rent credits for the Orioles.
With a change coming pre-2025, a source with direct knowledge said the Orioles will pay for the wall adjustment this time
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) November 15, 2024
Hopefully that’s just the beginning of Rubes making it rain this offseason.
