It’s not often you see a crowd of people hanging around to watch #82 throw in Spring Training, but there was a sizable group on hand to watch Bundy including numerous Orioles catchers, pitcher Zach Britton, and just about every top Orioles official. The 19-year-old Bundy has been earning raves for how he’s handled himself so far in camp and he showed Wednesday that his velocity reports were far from exaggerated. He threw alongside Steve Johnson, the last two to go, and was caught by Brian Ward. I have a full story up on Bundy — that you can read here– but I also wanted to pass along some quotes from the young right-hander…

DYLAN BUNDY
[any nervous/anxiety?] “My first ‘pen was, which was Monday. Monday was the worst man, I was kind of excited to throw that one. I was pretty wild. Today was a lot easier. The group [watching], I’m kind of used to it by now, in high school I always had a bunch of people watching.”

[on how hard he was throwing] “I’d say about 90, 92 percent. I’m not very good at percentages. Usually I like to make it as realistic as possible and close to game speed.”

[on his offseason leading up to this] “I’ve been throwing back home in Oklahoma, probably threw six, seven, eight ‘pens.”

[on Orioles catcher Matt Wieters]
“I can’t wait to throw to him. He’s going to teach me a lot about hitters and location of pitches, why to throw that pitch, when to throw it. I’m excited if I get to throw to him, we’ll see.”

[on adjusting to his first big league camp]
“It’s just baseball. It’s a bigger locker room with bigger names in it. I mean it’s the same stuff as high school basically except it’s a lot bigger, lot faster game and a lot bigger people.”

*The Orioles will bring in catcher Caleb Joseph to fill the spot of Dane Sardina, who failed his physical due to an elbow issue.

*Reliever Jim Johnson (lower back) came through yesterday’s half mound session with no problems and he will throw off the half mound once more before progressing to the full mound.

*Zach Britton (left shoulder inflammation) will throw Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with the emphasis being on increasing his throws and the distance. Britton is looking at the middle to end of next week as a target to get on the mound, but right now it seems the team is moving very cautiously with him.

*Other pitchers who threw bullpens today included Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Wei-Yin Chen, Jason Berken, Jon, Link, Pat Neshek, Armando Galarraga, Miguel Socolovich, Oliver Drake, Willie Eyre and Oscar Villarreal.

*Nick Johnson talks about his right wrist being finally healthy and getting an opportunity with the Orioles here.

*Pitcher Jason Hammel talks about his new team and returning to the AL East in a video interview here.

*On a non-Spring Training note, I wanted to pass along this little note that may pertain to some of you..

Zion Lutheran Church will hold its second annual baseball talk at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27 in the church’s sanctuary, 2215 Brandywine Lane, York. This year’s event features: Mel Antonen, baseball writer for SI.com and MASN and a Sirius/XM talk show host; Dan Connolly,  Orioles/national baseball writer for The Baltimore Sun; and Jim Seip, York Revolution beat writer for the York Daily Record/York Sunday News. The writers will present their thoughts on the upcoming baseball season – Orioles, Phillies, Nationals, all MLB, plus the Revolution and the Atlantic League — and will answer questions from the audience. There is no admission fee, but a freewill offering will be taken to benefit the church’s youth ministry program. For more information, contact the church at 717-767-4673.

Dylan Bundy throws to catcher Brian Ward.

Another view of Bundy.

Bench coach John Russell, manager Buck Showalter and catcher Matt Wieters watching Bundy’s session.

Brian Matusz throwing a bullpen session. Orioles catcher Matt Wieters had high praise for Matusz afterward, singling out the lefty for an impressive performance on Wednesday.

Dan Duquette and Jim Palmer look on during the bullpens.

*Orioles reliever Jim Johnson threw 15 pitches off the half mound (which is only slightly elevated) today and could be up on the full mound later this week. Johnson said Tuesday morning he has had no discomfort in his lower back and the sense is the team is just being extremely cautious in moving him along.

Johnson has been an integral part of organizing the 2nd Annual Birdland Golf Classic, which will take place tomorrow. (For more info on that, click here). While he will not take part in the actual golf part, given that he’s limited in spring activities, Johnson will be one of numerous Orioles at the charity event, which last year raised over $26,000 for the Miracle League of Manasota.

The team will have an abbreviated workout Wednesday to accommodate the event, which starts with  registration and lunch at 11 a.m. ET and a shotgun start set for 12:30 p.m.

*Zach Britton threw this afternoon and said he felt “event better” than he did on Monday. Britton has been slowed this spring with left shoulder inflammation, but the team has been encouraged by his early sessions and he’s actually slightly ahead of schedule. The Orioles will sit down and map out a plan for the rest of the week for Britton, who will take Wednesday totally off.

*To follow up briefly on my report yesterday about Brian Roberts working out, Roberts spoke with several teammates while at Ed Smith Stadium on Monday and was reportedly in pretty good spirits. He was working out again today and requested to not speak with the media until Friday.

Roberts took swings off tee from both sides of the plate and was headed to do some light lifting. He’s also been throwing and said he’s on a “progression” and has been working out at the team’s Minor League complex –Twins Lakes Park — since January.

*Pitching coach Rick Adair discusses the new additions in Spring Training in a video interview here.

*Catcher Dane Sardinha failed his physical and wont stay in Os camp. The Orioles will bring in another catcher from within, probably by Friday, according to manager Buck Showalter.

*Among those who threw bullpen sessions today: Matt Lindstrom, Dana Eveland, Tommy Hunter, Jason Hammel, Tsuyoshi Wada, Luis Ayala and Jake Arrieta. It’s actually Wada’s 31st birthday today and the team sang to him out on one of the back fields. Orioles catcher Matt Wieters made it a point to catch both Wada and Hammel, two of the O’s new arms. By the way, Lindstrom is “as advertised” as Showalter put it, in describing the right-hander’s power arm. The glove of catcher John Hester was making some serious noise catching Lindstrom, who figures to be a late-inning arm.

*Congratulations to Ryan Wagner, who was selected from nearly 700 applicants to be the Orioles new PA announcer. You can read more about Wagner, who was also part of MLB’s Fan Cave last season, here.

Brian Roberts getting in his workout.

Roberts again.

Rick Peterson and Jim Palmer.

The Orioles also took the media on a tour of the newly renovated baseball operations center, which includes a brand-new weight room, players cafeteria, media area, training rooms, etc. The pictures I took from the tour are below.

Wall decor.

Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells, who had a hand in the design and layout of the physical training area, explains the new additions.

Cartoon bird logos on the chairs in the training room.

The aqua therapy area has three separate pools and the trainers’ room will be able to see directly into each one once the video cameras are installed as planned.

All the Orioles’ retired numbers are up on this wall, along with Jackie Robinson, but this is the only one signed. Weaver signed it when he visited camp last spring.

The weight room, which was designed with all state-of-the-art gear and with an emphasis on functionality.

The Keiser is an innovative resistance system that runs on air pressure.

J.J. Hardy working with special assistant Brady Anderson and one of the team’s other new strength coaches.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter’s office

Another view of Showalter’s office.

The Orioles new equipment room had sliding rows and was modeled after the Baltimore Ravens facility.

Roberts has also been doing tee work and short toss hitting drills, according to manager Buck Showalter, who said the infielder has also been getting work done at the team’s Minor League facility at Twin Lakes Park. Roberts is recovering from a concussion and has been sidelined for most of the past two seasons with his recovery and rehab updates sporadic at best.

Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette did say Monday that the second baseman is on a “physical progression” although he acknowledged that the organization still doesn’t know if Roberts will have the tolerance and capability to do certain things.

A dynamic leadoff hitter, a healthy Roberts would afford the Orioles a chance to keep Robert Andino as super-utility player, strengthening the bench depth and versatility for Showalter. Andino is coming off a career season and is considered the primary backup to Roberts, who appeared in just 39 games in 2011.

I’ll have more on Davis and Andino up later on Orioles.com.

*Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said today second baseman Brian Roberts is on a “physical progression” in returning from a concussion, although he acknowledged that the organization still doesn’t know if Roberts will have the tolerance and capability to do certain things.

Roberts took swings in the indoor batting cages today and threw with shortstop J.J. Hardy and he has also been working out at the team’s Minor League complex at Twin Lakes Park as well, doing tee work and short toss hitting. You can read more about that here.

*Zach Britton (left shoulder inflammation) threw about 60 pitches today, at around 100 feet, and was able to work in approximately 15 fastballs from his regular windup, meaning the catcher was crouched down in a squat.  The biggest test will be when he throws again Tuesday –since he has yet to throw consecutively– although Britton seems encouraged that he’s been able to get into his arm slot and hasn’t had any discomfort in that shoulder area.

“The best way to sum it up is that I feel as good on the morning I wake up and I’m throwing as the day after,” Britton said. “[Tuesday] will be a big test, how I feel when I wake up, then the next day how I feel after two consecutive days throwing. So if everything’s good, I don’t think it’s an issue any more. It’s more about throwing every day, maybe go back a little with throwing distance and then starting to get off the mound.”

Britton said he’s able to get into his arm slot with no discomfort which was the problem earlier this offseason.

“I feel really good,” he said. “It looks nice and easy. We videotaped it today so I’m actually going to watch it. But they’re saying everything looks really smooth, even in comparison to last year.”

*The Orioles will finish up the last group of pitchers to go through the bio mechanical analysis Tuesday morning, and the results come back in about 10 days. Guys like Britton, who isn’t throwing off a mound, may get it done at a later date. (You can read more about what that’s all about in yesterday’s recap.)

*I’ve been asked a few times about the 10 players in camp who are out of options. Here’s the list:  Dana Eveland, Robert Andino, Chris Davis, Nolan Reimold, Alfredo Simon, Troy Patton, Pedro Strop, Jai Miller, Jim Johnson & Taylor Teagarden.  Note that these are guys on the 40-man roster, so if they don’t make the team they have to be placed on waivers. Another interesting case to watch is infielder Ryan Flaherty, who is a Rule 5  guy, meaning he would have to be offered back to the Cubs at half the $50,000 price the Orioles paid for him this winter.

*New Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom speaks fluent Swedish, he lived there for two years, and since the Orioles’ pitching staff has a wide range of languages this year, I thought it’d be fun to try to see what I can pick up this spring.

Word of the Day: Hur är lä´get? This means “what’s up” in Swedish.

*And finally, here are a few more pictures from today…

Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter hamming it up for the camera. Note Troy Patton behind him, who made sure to tease him as he walked by.

Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette with  director of baseball administration Tripp Norton (in the blue shirt).

Orioles manager Buck Showalter takes a second to sign autographs.

Mark Reynolds signing autographs.

Pitchers fielding practice.

Chris Davis getting ready to take batting practice.

Group mound meeting. If you look really close you can see manager Buck Showalter standing on the mound talking to everyone.

New Oriole Nick Johnson fields grounders at first along with Joe Mahoney.

Adam Jones hitting.

Jones and Reynolds hanging out behind the batting cage. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is also in the right-hand corner.

Pitchers Alfredo Simon and Zach Phillips running from one field to another during PFP.

Reynolds taking some swings.

O’s manager Buck Showalter likened it to a part of early camp just like individual physicals and said the results usually come back in about 10 days. Peterson, who was named director of pitching development this offseason, has a website that goes into more detail on the topic here.

*Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, speaking through interpreter Danny MacLeith, said he wants to be a starter and is going to do what he has to to make that happen. Wada is one of about a dozen candidates for the starting rotation and the Orioles’ plan is to keep their options open until about mid-March, which is when they’ll start to sort out who would be a better fit for the bullpen.

Wada was an impressive interview today, and the full transcription is below. Showalter said he planned on meeting with the veteran pitcher sometime on Monday since Wada had a lot to digest his first day of Major League camp in going through Peterson’s analysis, the Orioles workout drills and fielding interviews from the Japanese media.

*Nick Markakis, J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds were all in camp today, well ahead of Feb. 23′s report date for position players. Reynolds, who lost at least 20 lbs, is hardly recognizable from afar. As I’ve said before, his offseason workouts were cardio-based and focused on improving mobility with the hope being it will translate over into better defense at third base. Reynolds is one of at least 10 Orioles who have made substantial strides in conditioning in working with Brady Anderson, who was named a special assistant to executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette this winter.

As for a slimmer Reynolds meaning less power, Showalter said he’s not worried about that happening, pointing out that Reynolds lost between 10-15 lbs from the start of last season and his home runs actually went up as the season went on. Hardy and Reynolds both took their physicals today and can start working out, while Markakis could hold off a few days. Markakis is expected to be limited through the first week of March anyway given offseason abdominal surgery.

*Right-handed pitcher Jim Johnson said today he had been dealing with a “little strain” in his lower back, but he’s not in any pain or discomfort right now. Johnson estimated he’s about a week behind the rest of the arms in camp, and you can read that full story here.

*The Orioles are without pitcher Dennys Reyes and catcher Ronny Paulino, who are both dealing with visa issues. Showalter said that both players are expected by mid-week. Pitcher Ryan Edell is still not at camp and is expected to retire. The Orioles had invited 31 arms to camp, but no Edell and Reyes puts them at 29 right now.

*Showalter briefly talked with second baseman Brian Roberts yesterday when he stopped by Ed Smith Stadium Complex and said reiterated he had a “good look” about him. Roberts has been doing some work at the team’s Minor League facility at Twin Lakes Park.

Tsuyoshi Wada

[on being here in the Major Leagues]

“This is my first time, I’m a little nervous of course but I’m enjoying myself.”

[on adjusting to O’s camp]

“From drill to drill there’s not really any time to catch my breath, but I think it’s pretty efficient to do it that way.”

[on his role, starting or relieving]

“I haven’t heard anything officially about that yet. But I want to be a starter, so I’m going to do what I have to do to fill that role.”

[on adjusting to four days rest instead of five or more in Japan]

“I thought about that while I was pitching on five days rest, on six days rest in Japan. I knew that it would be on four days rest here so I planned on coming here and having done something. But no matter what I do, I’m going to have to get used to it in the end. So I have that mindset. That I’m going to do what I have to do to get used to it.”

[on if the heat will be a problem, as it was for Koji Uehara]

“I eat a lot in January and February and for the past two or three years I really haven’t dropped any weight in the summertime when I do pitch outside. So, I’m pretty confident that I can handle this even though it’s my first summer in the United States. I think I’ll be OK.”

Orioles manager Buck Showalter talks to Brady Anderson, who was named a special assistant in the organization this offseason.

Pitchers and catchers gather on the field to stretch prior to the first workout of 2012.

Triple-A pitching coach Mike Griffin and Chris Tillman.  Visible in this picture behind them on the left is Brad Bergesen and right is Zach Britton.

Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy introduces himself to former player and current instructor  Scott McGregor.

Bundy again. The 19-year-old, who was the O’s first-rounder in the 2011 Draft, is in Major League camp and has yet to throw his first pitch as a pro.

Johnson has been dealing with a lower back issue that he categorized as a “little strain” since the beginning of January and his rehab regimen consists mostly of stretching and some core work.

“It’s not a big deal,” Johnson said of his back issue.  “I’ll be on the mound fairly soon, [I’ll] be right back out there. I’m just probably not going to be out there running as much.”

Johnson, who admitted that the back issue was “pretty much the nail in the coffin” on him being used as a potential starter, projects to be in the backend of the Orioles bullpen. He was used increasingly in the ninth inning to end 2011, and is considered to be a strong candidate to close for the Orioles in 2012.

While there has been a strong undercurrent of rumors surrounding the Orioles’ preference to trade Kevin Gregg –signed last winter as the team’s closer – Johnson’s status could change things considerably. Gregg’s role, like most of the bullpen, is largely to be determined and the Orioles’ will closely monitor Johnson’s injury in the first few weeks of camp before making any definitive decisions on Gregg going forward. While the organization was shopping Gregg this winter –and willing to eat a good chunk of his contract — if Johnson’s injury is more serious, it’s safe to speculate that Gregg would probably stay put.

Johnson, who was slated to do some light throwing Sunday, went 6-5 with a 2.67 ERA and nine saves in 69 games last year, converting on his final eight save changes to end the season. Gregg went 0-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 63 games last season, converting 22 saves in 29 opportunities.New acquisitions Luis Ayala and Matt Lindstrom also figure to factor into the later innings of the O’s bullpen.

You can click on the photo to zoom in. I’ll try to post as many pictures as possible this spring, but since my camera phone quality isn’t great you’ll have to patient most days and wait for me to upload the pics off my regular camera instead. Enjoy…

*Jim Johnson is dealing with some lower back tightness and manager Buck Showalter told reporters Johnson will be brought along slowly to start camp.

*Left specialist Clay Rapada –who was released by the Orioles a few days ago– has agreed to terms with the New York Yankees. The deal, which is a Minor League contract with an invite to big league Spring Training, is pending a physical Monday in Tampa.

Spring Training is finally here.

The Orioles will christen the 2012 season at Ed Smith Stadium this weekend, as the team’s pitchers and catchers –who  reported Saturday morning to a brand new clubhouse – will take the field for the first workout at approximately 9:15 a.m. ET Sunday.

“I get excited for spring,” said catcher Matt Wieters, one of several Orioles who makes his offseason home in Sarasota.  “I get excited every January when you start thinking about Spring Training.”

You can click here for a Spring Training preview on Orioles.com, and below are some quotes from around the clubhouse this morning. I’ve got some (better) pictures off my actual camera that I’ll upload here later as well…

MATT WIETERS

[on the feeling in camp with 31 pitchers]

“It’s a little bit different than in years past because almost every single one of these guys has a chance to make the team; they are all fighting for a spot in that bullpen or rotation. And you’re really going to have to learn a lot because it’s probably going to come down to that last week or two to decide who’s going to travel north with us.”

[on new international signings Wada and Chen] “I’ve met them both and they both seem to grasp pitching which is what our relationship will be mostly, is the pitching-catching relationship. And that’s what this spring will be about one  learning new stuff and also just learning how they like to communicate and how they like to pitch. Because you can get through a game and get through a year once you learn their secrets and tendencies and each game I catch them it’ll get easier.”

[on his focus this offseason]

“It’s kind of the same as last year. I felt like last offseason I had a good plan and came in and was healthy for the whole year which is big. So I just tried to sort of increase last year’s offseason a little bit and come in healthy to camp, which is all you can ask for.”

JASON HAMMEL

[Whether it’s sunk in that he’s here]
“It was a pretty wild week when it happened, obviously because a week before spring training, it’s difficult to change your plans. It basically flips your world upside down because we were all set for everything being in Arizona and Denver. But I’m coming to a good group of guys here and meeting a bunch of new people and making some new friendships on a team that’s made some changes. So I’m really excited.”

[On where he thinks he will slot in, or whether his mentality is that he has to win a spot.]
That’s the way I approach every spring, whether I’ve got a seven-year deal or a one-year deal. It doesn’t matter. I’m a big proponent of earning you places. Nothing should be given to you, so obviously I’m going in with the mindset of winning a job. It hasn’t been given to me.

[How did it flip your world around?]
We had leases and cars being shipped places and boxes being shipped places. We had to stop all that and flip it around. It was slim pickings in Florida and Arizona this time of year trying to find a place, so we canceled the leave in Arizona and we were lucky to get out of that. There were six guys going for two places down here so we had to basically pull the trigger on one.

[On getting comfortable w/ Wieters:]
“I’ve heard great things. Obviously, he’s big so he’s going to be able to block some balls from getting away. I’ve heard he calls a real good game. He’s a young kid, so obviously it will take a little bit of time to get used to him but it’s a challenge that I think we’re both accepting and have a lot of fun with.”

[On being one of the more experienced guys:]
“It’s pretty crazy that at 29 I’d be one of the old guys. I’ve seen other guys in the same position when I was a young kid. I’m still young, but, the guys really reached out and tried hard to be a leader at that age. That’s exactly what I’m foing to do. Whatever my role is, I want to be a leader. I remember at the end of the year with the Rockies knowing that the next year it would be a pretty young rotation there. I’m just going to try to give out whatever advice and experience I can hand out, so any help I can get from them back is also going to be a big bonus.”

CHRIS TILLMAN

[Excited to be back?]

“Absolutely. It’s good to be here. I’ve been here for a couple days, getting myself ready. Getting used to the humidity. It’s been fun.”

[on looking forward to the competition]

“Absolutely. I think competition is what fuels everything. It’s going to be a fun camp. I know I’m excited. I think that goes for most people.”

[on what he got out of last year?]

“I think I learned a lot. It definitely was a long year…not the year I expected, but I think this offseason was good for me. We got in pretty good shape and I think I’m mentally where I need to be right now so I’m very excited.”

[on his he's made any changes to his repertoire]

“Nothing yet. Just doing my strength and conditioning so far. Being able to repeat my delivery, that’s what we’ve been working on. It’s been a good offseason. I’ve learned a lot in the weight room and what I can do physically, conditioning-wise, so I think it’s pushing me that much farther.”

WEI-YIN CHEN [through interpreter Tim Lin]

[on being in Sarasota]

“I feel really good here. It’s a beautiful ballpark and I’m really excited to be here.”
“Especially I like the ballpark very much. It’s so beautiful here. Everything’s great. The weather in Florida is beautiful. Not like in Japan because it’s so cold over there right now. I feel very comfortable to be here.”

[on lifting weights and other changes he's made to his offsesaon program to get ready for MLB]   “I did a lot of early preparation in Arizona because I know American baseball is totally different than Japan. I did a lot to prepare for that.”

[his mindset this spring]
“I will be ready before the season starts and I hope I can get in the rotation.”

[on his future]
“I hope I can be here at least 10 years or longer. When I was in high school, a lot of my classmates and teammates went to the states to play baseball, so that’s always been my dream to play in the MLB.”