'I ain't ducking': Trash-talking Bassitt bests Alonso in first BP session

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Ask anybody in the Orioles' Spring Training clubhouse who the biggest trash talker has been during live batting practice over the past two weeks and the answer would surely be Pete Alonso. The frequent ribbing has often been audible from the stands at Ed Smith Stadium.

But on Tuesday morning, Alonso met his match in the form of a former teammate who he's been reunited with in Baltimore -- right-hander Chris Bassitt.

After playing a heated round of ping-pong against Alonso in the clubhouse early, Bassitt then went outside and threw live BP for the first time since signing a one-year, $18.5 million deal with the O's on Feb. 13. The 37-year-old worked two "innings" and faced 10 batters in a group featuring Alonso, Tyler O'Neill, Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward and Thairo Estrada.

Bassitt's session began by getting Alonso to ground out to shortstop on the first pitch. Near the end, Bassitt told the Orioles' dugout he wanted to face Henderson once more to get another left-handed hitter in the box, and as Alonso walked to the plate, he accused Bassitt (his 2022 Mets teammate) of trying to duck him.

"I ain't ducking," Bassitt said, before then getting Alonso to hit a fly ball to center field that likely would have been an out, a result that produced an audible groan from the slugger.

"You knew what was coming," Bassitt told Alonso. "I told you, 'One pitch.'"

Asked afterward about the banter with Alonso, Bassitt kept his response simple.

"Pete knows," Bassitt said. "Yeah, Pete knows."

The main reason why the Orioles signed Bassitt was to provide stability to their rotation mix by adding a proven, durable innings-eating veteran who could slot into the middle of the staff. He's an 11-year big leaguer who can still perform at a high level, as he recorded a 3.96 ERA in 32 games (31 starts) last season while helping the Blue Jays win the American League East, capture the AL pennant and reach the World Series.

At this point in his career, Bassitt knows his preferred way to get ready for a new season -- and it's not with a heavy load of live BP, as he'd rather pitch in Grapefruit League games (which is expected to happen Sunday afternoon vs. the Red Sox in Fort Myers).

"I don’t like facing our hitters. You can’t really work a lot of what you want to do," Bassitt said. "Just nothing really to gain from me to face our hitters in the aspect of I’m not trying to throw in and work things. I’m protecting them, they’re protecting me. So it’s just more so just getting reps. ...

"It’s just making sure that I’m physically in the right spot. I feel really, really good right now."

Another reason Baltimore wanted Bassitt was the mentorship he can provide to young pitchers in camp.

That's been on display a lot in the past week. Bassitt is often chatting with teammates in the clubhouse, and he's also been catch partners with left-hander Cade Povich, a 25-year-old with only 38 games of big league experience over the past two seasons.

Povich said Bassitt has asked him to "toy around with some things" in catch. Then, the two will have pitching discussions, whether it's in the dugout during spring games or at their lockers.

"He's played this game for a long time, and I think that's what we all strive to do," Povich said. "He's definitely a guy I'm going to continue to listen to, and it’s been great playing catch with him and him coming to me to have some conversations, trying to make me better, but the rest of the staff as well."

"These guys always pay it forward," manager Craig Albernaz added. "That’s what makes this game great, and Bassitt exemplifies that, where he’s been through a lot, he’s battle tested, so he has all the experiences to share with any pitcher, but especially our young guys."

It's important to Bassitt to be in a good spot in his own preparation. He also understands the value of establishing clubhouse camaraderie and a positive working environment.

But Bassitt is also enjoying the chats with Povich, the pitching prospects and everyone else.

"A lot of those guys are really, really talented. Now it’s just trying to see kind of what we need to clean up, and then, obviously, learning them and maximizing their strengths," Bassitt said. "A lot of those guys, I think they don’t even realize how talented they are yet. It’s just keeping everyone accountable and hungry and just getting them ready for what’s lying ahead."