The Banner Baseball Show

Connor Norby got the call. Will he get a real shot?

The Orioles are calling up infield/outfield prospect Connor Norby for their series in Toronto. It’s the opportunity the 23-year-old has been clamoring for, but will he get enough playing time to make an impact?
 
On the latest episode of The Banner Baseball Show, Paul Mancano and Jon Meoli discuss how the O’s will utilize Norby. They also discuss the possibility of a prospect promotion after John Means’ season-ending elbow injury (22:42).

John Means and Tyler Wells are out for the year. What happens now?

The Orioles were just dealt two massive blows to their pitching staff, losing John Means and Tyler Wells for the remainder of the 2024 season.
 
Paul Mancano and Andy Kostka break down the injury news, wonder if the O’s will call up pitching prospects Cade Povich or Chayce McDermott and look ahead to the trade deadline.

Ryan Ripken on Orioles' walk rate, struggling veterans and more

The Orioles’ offense has cemented itself near the top of the league in runs and home runs. But there’s still one potential problem area: walks.
 
Ryan Ripken of “The Ryan Ripken Show” joins Paul Mancano to talk about Baltimore’s plate approach (6:55), Jackson Holliday (14:38), the team’s struggling veterans Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays (19:19) and navigating a difficult June (24:09).

John Means placed on IL, Mike Baumann traded to Seattle

Since the conclusion of John Means’ All-Star season in 2019, the lefty has found himself on the injured list more often than not. His latest setback — a left forearm strain — threatens to derail his promising season.
 
Paul Mancano and Danielle Allentuck discuss why Means’ injury designation is particularly hard to swallow (2:54). Then, they talk about the Orioles' sweepless streak ending (12:20) and the Mike Baumann trade to the Mariners (15:41).

How Jorge Mateo stole the second base job, plus Gunnar's prodigious power

When Jackson Holliday was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on April 26, a hole opened at second base for the Orioles. Jorge Mateo has done more than enough to plug it.
 
Paul Mancano and Andy Kostka discuss how Mateo grabbed hold of the second base job without anyone noticing (2:25). Then they talk about Gunnar Henderson’s prodigious power (8:54), Craig Kimbrel’s return to the ninth inning (11:54), the possibility of a six-man rotation (15:55) and the roster moves concerning Ryan McKenna and Mike Baumann (19:04).

Kyle Stowers is back, Heston Kjerstad is optioned and Cedric Mullins is struggling

Before Monday’s game, the Orioles swapped a young left-handed hitting outfielder and a veteran right-handed hitting outfielder for … a young left-handed hitting outfielder and a veteran right-handed hitting outfielder.
The team’s outfield reshuffling may be confusing, but Paul Mancano and Danielle Allentuck are here to break it down, discussing the reasoning for Baltimore’s roster changes.

Do the Orioles have a Craig Kimbrel problem?

It’s been a rough couple weeks for Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel. Between back tightness and blown saves, the potential future-Hall of Famer has appeared in just three games since April 28 and has seen his ERA balloon to 4.73. At what point should the O’s consider a change in the ninth inning?
 
Andy Kostka joins Paul Mancano to discuss Baltimore’s series sweep in the nation’s capital and Kimbrel’s continuing struggles.

The Orioles may have MLB's deepest rotation, plus the Craig Kimbrel conundrum

The Orioles couldn’t have asked for a better weekend from their starting pitchers. Cole Irvin, John Means and Dean Kremer dominated the Reds, combining to toss 19 1/3 shutout innings in a series sweep.
 
The best part? The O’s didn’t even use their aces: Corbin Burnes and Kyle Bradish.
 
Paul Mancano and Jon Meoli discuss Baltimore’s suddenly deep cabinet of starting pitchers (2:32). Then they touch on closer Craig Kimbrel’s struggles (16:59) and ways the O's could upgrade the roster via trade (25:47).

Grayson Rodriguez to the IL, John Means returns

It’s been a nightly challenge for Orioles manager Brandon Hyde to piece together nine innings from his pitching staff. Injuries to the rotation have led to a shortage of quality arms in the bullpen. But with starters Kyle Bradish and John Means slated to return soon, Hyde could find it easier to solve the puzzle.
 
Paul Mancano and Danielle Allentuck discuss the news that Grayson Rodriguez is headed to the injured list and talk about how the team should handle the impending roster turnover.

Making sense of Jackson Holliday's demotion to Triple-A Norfolk

It was a rough introduction to the big leagues for top prospect Jackson Holliday. But are the Orioles making the right decision by optioning the 20-year-old?
 
Paul Mancano and Andy Kostka discuss what Holliday’s demotion means for his future. Then they talk about the return of outfielder Ryan McKenna.