Before the Orioles took the field against the Yankees on Sunday from Ed Smith Stadium, eight players were either optioned to Triple-A Norfolk or assigned to minor league camp.

Outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander both hit well above .300 in Spring Training, each receiving at least 33 at-bats. They were two names muttered by media and fans alike when talking about the young talent who could travel north when camp concludes.

Santander, who has a rocket of an arm, hit .198 over 101 big league at-bats before being optioned in May of last year. Hays was a September call-up in 2017 and received 60 at-bats. Much of his 2018 season was spent in the trainer’s room dealing with a stress fracture in his right ankle that required surgery.

Hays was a surprising cut considering his service time clock already started. Both his bat and his glove dominated the spring training highlight reel. There’s a number of factors behind the transactions due to how crowded the Orioles outfield is. Even though Hays and Santander won’t crack the Opening Day lineup, some more time on the farm will only help their development.