Orioles Use 80-Inch TV on Field to Simulate Giants Pitchers in Baserunning Drills

BALTIMORE, The Baltimore Orioles took a high-tech approach to preparation on Saturday afternoon, with first-base coach Jason Bourgeois setting up an 80-inch television on the infield grass at Camden Yards to simulate San Francisco Giants pitchers during baserunning drills. The massive screen, angled toward first base, displayed life-sized video footage of Giants hurlers, allowing players like Blaze Alexander and Leody Taveras to react to real-world pickoff attempts and pitching movements.

The idea was to give the O's a competitive edge in the ongoing series against the Giants. Bourgeois explained the setup later, noting that the TV was not placed on the field for entertainment. "I’ve seen it done in the weight room and batting cage," manager Craig Albernaz said. "But Bougie, to his credit, just went, 'Why don’t we just put it on the field?' I said, 'That’s great, yeah. Go ahead.' I don’t know how he got power. That’s a long electrical cord."

The video clips were carefully selected to highlight key pitcher tendencies. Some showed regular pitches while others focused on pickoff attempts. Players had to react accordingly, either taking off for second base or diving back to first. "I think it’s a whole lot easier than holding the iPad and getting mental reps," Alexander said. "J.B.’s awesome. He researches, he does a lot of his homework. Definitely one of my main goals coming in, I want to steal some bags this year."

Alexander had already stolen two bases in the first 13 games of the season, just two shy of his career high set last year with Arizona. The 26-year-old has worked closely with Bourgeois and former D-backs first-base coach Dave McKay, learning that reading pitchers is just as important as raw speed. "It’s not just, 'Hey, this guy’s fast, he’s going to steal bags,'" Alexander said. "No, it’s really looking and deep diving into videos. It’s those little things, attention to detail and just putting full trust into it."

Albernaz praised the setup, calling it a "different visual of what can be prepared for tonight’s game." He added that the TV allowed coaches to give real-time feedback during reps, something that isn't possible during an actual game. "It allows Bougie to do something you can’t really do in the game," he said. "Because in the game, you can’t really do that, because the first baseman would hear that and give everything away."

The Orioles will look to put this preparation to use in their next game against the Giants on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET.