I made this simple request via text to more than 30 executives and scouts: What have you seen this spring that has made you go “wow” positively and “wow” negatively?
It was a fun exercise. It allowed me to reconnect with so many folks and get a feel for what they are seeing. No one person sees all 30 teams widely dispersed over two states. And yet two themes came up the most — one positive and one negative.
On the positive side, just about anyone who was stationed on the west coast of Florida marveled at the wave after wave of young positional talent the Orioles possess. Remember that in spring training — especially early — starters tend to take an at-bat or two and then be removed from games.
So, at that point, it becomes organizational depth vs. organizational depth. This is often when scouts really bear down because this includes, say, players out of options who may become available late in spring or youngsters with whom they are not familiar.
