..."Good morning Neil Walker Jersey , Birdland!There are no MLB games today of any kind. That is a travesty. Luckily, it is the last time this nightmare will happen to us between now and the all-star break. Thank the old gods and the new that winter is gone, spring has sprung and that baseball is back once again. We shall see how long those warm feelings last as the losses pile up this season. Are you ready for Nate Karns opening games? What about starting right fielder Dwight Smith Jr.? Or maybe you are intrigued by a guy named Hanser Alberto playing actual games for the Orioles?Oh yes, baseball is back and the O’s are in full rebuild mode. It’s gonna be ugly, but it might also be a little bit fun. Hopefully.Links & NotesNew prospects, philosophies at O’s camp - MLB.comIf you are here, then you probably follow the Orioles top minor league prospects fairly closely. But in case you don’t, MLB Pipeline does a quick overview of how some of the club’s young guns fared this spring.Will Orioles Fans Fill Camden Yards? - ForbesNo, probably not. But you can’t fault the ticket and promotions staff for trying. I’ve received more emails and phone calls from them this offseason than ever before. On top of that, they are continuing to run the “Kids Cheer Free” program plus some fun giveaways. Nonetheless, there are gonna be a lot of green seats throughout the summer. Orioles odds-on favorites to finish with most losses in MLB - Las Vegas Review-JournalThe Orioles 59.5 over/under win total has been bet down to 57.5, That feels more appropriate. And it is exactly what the front office wants to happen. Fewer wins means higher draft picks and, hopefully, more talent in the organization. Let’s hope the short-term pain is worth the long-term reward.Orioles savor trip to United States Naval Academy - Baltimore SunIn which you can see pictures of Orioles players trying on body armor like a bunch of baseball-playing dorks. If these guys don’t win too many games, they may end up being pretty lovable at least.Orioles birthdays and historyIs it your birthday? Happy birthday!It is the 62nd birthday of Dave Van Gorder, an Orioles catcher for 12 games during the 1987 season. Also celebrating is 29-year-old Junior Lake, an outfielder for just eight games in 2015.1994 - The O’s trade David Segui to the New York Mets for minor leaguer Tom Wegmann and a shortstop named Kevin Baez, who would never play another major league game. After a few exciting days to get the minor league season started, Sunday was relatively quiet in the minors."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Talking Chop User’s GuideTalking Chop PodcastAround the NL EastBaseball Analysis PrimerAtlanta Braves Minor League Recap 4/7: Quiet day on the farmNew,57commentsAfter a few exciting days to get the minor league season started, Sunday was relatively quiet in the minors.EDTShareTweetShareShareAtlanta Braves Minor League Recap 4/7: Quiet day on the farmFreddy TarnokPhoto Credit: Garrett SpainWhile we’ve had some excitement in the first few days of the minor league season, led by Mike Foltynewicz and Mike Soroka returning from injuries and looking great on the mound, Sunday was not one of those types of days. Not that we don’t have plenty to talk about anyway.Gwinnett Stripers 4, Norfolk Tides 3BoxscoreTravis Demeritte, LF: 2-4, HR Adrian Gonzalez Jersey , 2 RBIAustin Riley, 3B: 0-2, 2 BBTouki Toussaint, SP: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 1 KThe biggest story line here was the 2019 debut of Touki Toussaint. Toussaint didn’t have his best command, as he allowed just one hit but walked four batters over three innings. It should be noted that of the 60 pitches he threw, only 32 were strikes, so he deserves some credit for limiting the damage against him on a day he really fought his command. Thomas Burrows and Shane Carle followed with a pair of perfect innings. Corbin Clouse came in for the eighth and surrendered a run on a pair of hits, and Jacob Webb earned the save despite allowing a solo homer in the ninth. Travis Demeritte continued his strong start to the year with a pair of hits, including his first home run of the season. With his two RBI in this one he’s up to four on the year to go with a .400 average so far. Spring training hero Pedro Florimon went 3-for-4 and drove in a run, while the final RBI came from Sal Giardina. Austin Riley was hitless in two at bats, but he did draw a pair of walks on the day. One other guy of note is former All Star Adam Duvall, who went 2-for-3 with a walk.Probable 4/8 Starter: Kolby AllardTennessee Smokies 4, Mississippi Braves 3BoxscoreDrew Waters, RF: 1-4, BB, 2B, RCristian Pache, CF: 1-4, 2BPatrick Weigel, SP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R Jose Bautista Jersey , 3 BB, 0 KPatrick Weigel got the start and before you get concerned about the short start, it’s important to know that it was because he reached his very low pitch limit and not injury related. Weigel struggled with his command, but that’s not surprising for a guy on the return from Tommy John as they work their way back. Weigel threw only 12 of his 28 pitches on the day in the strike zone, but the more important thing is that this is just another step in his rehab. He was relieved by Jeremy Walker, who threw 5 1/3very strong innings and only allowed one run on a solo homer. The Braves were actually looking to get the win here despite needing to turn to the bullpen in the first inning, but Michael Mader gave up three runs in the bottom of the eighth.Drew Waters continues to hit early on in his aggressive assignment to Double-A, going 1-for-4 with a double and a walk. Despite another solid day at the plate, there was still a learning experience for him after getting picked off at third base. Jonathan Morales was the star for the offense, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, though Alejandro Salazar was a close second as he singled, doubled, and stole a pair of bases. Cristian Pache also added a double, and one of our favorite under the radar guys, Ray-Patrick Didder drew a pair of walks.Probable 4/8 Starter: Tucker DavidsonDaytona Tortugas 5, Florida Fire Frogs 3BoxscoreWilliam Contreras, C: 1-3, BBRiley Delgado, SS: 2-5, RHayden Deal, SP: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 KHayden Deal’s debut couldn’t have gone better for him personally, as he threw six shutout innings http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey , allowing only two base runners while striking out five. Deal is a former undrafted free agent from 2017, and a guy who is a favorite of the Talking Chop minor league staff as one of the many good guys in the system. He was followed by Cutter Dyals, who struggled allowing four runs in his only inning of work. He was replaced by Sean McLaughlin, who allowed a run over a pair of innings.The bats were quiet for the Fire Frogs with just three runs on seven hits and no extra base hits. Riley Delgado went 2-for-5 to lead the way, but a few other guys also reached base twice on the day including William Contreras, who singled and walked. Izzy Wilson and Drew Lugbauer also reached base multiple times.Probable 4/8 Starter: TBDKannapolis Intimidators 2, Rome Braves 1BoxscoreDarling Florentino, 3B: 2-4, 2BGreg Cullen, 2B: 1-5, HRTrey Riley, SP: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 KTrey Riley made his full season debut and pitched very well, giving up two runs over five innings. Riley surrendered five hits and just one walk while striking out a pair. The high upside 2018 draftee was considered to be very talented, but also a bit raw with some command improvements needed, so this was definitely a good sign for him. Jose Montilla came in relief and pitched three innings without giving up any hits or walks, while striking out two.Former small college star Greg Cullen homered to account for Rome’s only run. Darling Florentino had a notable performance though, going 2-for-4 with a double. For a 17-year old who hadn’t played above the Gulf Coast League prior to this spring, that was the kind of performance to show why the team felt he could handle such an aggressive assignment to open the season.Probable 4/8 Starter: Odalvi Javier