The Orioles’ Opening Day roster did not feature many surprises. It was easy to predict which infielders would crack the 28-man group; the only question was where they all would play.
The Orioles tabbed Ryan Mountcastle as the starting first baseman with Trey Mancini expected to split reps at the position. After that, things were anything but certain. Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urías appeared set to play up the middle, but it was unclear what type of role veterans Rougned Odor and Chris Owings would take early in the year. With a surplus of utility options, would anyone knock Kelvin Gutierrez off the hot corner?