As the 2017 Orioles transformed from contender to pretender, September became a teaching/learning month for the team. The final grade won't come until sometime next year, but for the moment, "incomplete, needs work" would seem to fit.
Those who yearned to watch the young players in the final month got their wish during the last couple of weeks, and they learned two things: 1) The Orioles seem to have finally developed some position players with promise; and 2) collectively, they aren't ready for delivery to the big leagues as a package.
Giving outfielder Austin Hays, catcher Chance Sisco and outfielder Anthony Santander a chance to join outfielder Trey Mancini in the lineup might have provided a glimpse of the future, but the eye-opening reality is that this is not a team ready for an instant infusion of young talent.
