In Saturday night’s game in Kansas City, the latter part of the match confirmed the beliefs of Orioles first base coach Anthony Sanders. His role instructing the outfielders offers him a deeper understanding of their capabilities.
As the Orioles held a once-comfortable lead, it began slipping away. Colton Cowser, subbing in for Austin Hays who was dealing with calf muscle cramping, made a crucial play by throwing out Kyle Isbel attempting to advance to third base in the seventh inning. This play helped maintain the Orioles’ 9-7 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, where closer Craig Kimbrel shut down the Royals, with right fielder Anthony Santander making a sensational diving catch to deny Bobby Witt Jr.
Sanders emphasized the team’s solid start, highlighting the blend of experienced players and promising newcomers. He stressed the importance of defensive trust and how the outfielders take pride in their ability to make key plays, citing Cowser’s pivotal play from the previous night.
Sanders also praised Santander’s underrated defensive skills, noting his improved metrics this season and highlighting the significance of his health in maintaining his top-level performance.
Regarding Cedric Mullins, Sanders reiterated his exceptional defensive capabilities and highlighted a recent standout play in left-center field. Despite statistical metrics sometimes undervaluing Mullins’ catches, Sanders emphasized Mullins’ intuitive understanding of the game and his consistently impressive performance in the outfield.
Sanders also spoke about Heston Kjerstad’s defensive improvement, expressing admiration for his progress during spring training and emphasizing the importance of trusting him in outfield roles despite his offensive prowess.
Switching to baserunning, Sanders commended the team’s performance, especially in terms of advancing bases and avoiding costly mistakes. Although stolen bases might not be at the top of the league, Sanders highlighted the team’s ability to capitalize on various baserunning opportunities.
Looking ahead, Sanders believes the team’s stolen base numbers will increase as their young players continue to develop and adjust to the major league level.
