The Orioles haven’t gotten much production from their rotation through the first couple weeks. Baltimore starters entered play Wednesday with a 6.23 ERA that ranked 26th in the majors, while their strikeout and walk rates are middle-of-the-pack.
Top prospect Grayson Rodriguez has been part of those struggles, allowing seven runs in 9 1/3 innings in his first two MLB starts. While the results haven’t been great, the highly-touted righty has shown the high-octane stuff that has intrigued evaluators and fans for years. He’s averaging 97 MPH on his heater and has gotten swinging strikes on an excellent 13.2% of his pitches.
After Rodriguez’s start against the A’s on Tuesday, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters the rookie would get another turn through the rotation (relayed by Roch Kuabtko of MASNsports.com). Assuming the club stays on schedule, Rodriguez is lined up to take the ball against Dylan Cease and the White Sox on Sunday.
The O’s didn’t break camp with Rodriguez in the rotation. Baltimore called him up last week after losing Kyle Bradish to the 15-day injured list because of a right foot contusion. Bradish’s injury was never expected to be serious and he’s already set for a rehab assignment. Hyde told reporters the righty will take the ball for Double-A Bowie on Friday (via Andy Kostka of Baltimore Banner). That’d seemingly put Bradish on track to be reinstated when first eligible on April 19.
Hyde downplayed the possibility of rolling with a six-man rotation. If the O’s want to stick with a five-man starting staff, they’d have to make a decision once Bradish is activated from the IL (barring an intervening injury). Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin are locks to hold jobs, which would seemingly squeeze one of Bradish, Rodriguez, Tyler Wells or Dean Kremer out of the group.
Kremer, in particular, is off to a rough start. The 27-year-old has been tagged for 13 runs in 12 1/3 innings across three appearances, surrendering five home runs in that limited stretch. Kremer had been one of Baltimore’s most effective starters last year, when he posted a 3.23 ERA in 125 1/3 frames. Dan Connolly of the Athletic wrote last night that Kremer’s hold on a rotation spot could be tenuous if he continues to scuffle. That came before the righty surrendered four runs and allowed homers to Brent Rooker and Carlos Pérez in 4 1/3 frames during tonight’s loss to Oakland.
Kremer has more runs allowed than innings pitched but i think Rodriguez winds up back in AAA depending on how his next outing goes
While I agree with you, and don’t know their deeper plans, I suppose they could kick Kremer to the Pen and option somebody else? I love the O’s, they’re my AL team, but I don’t follow them closely enough to know if they have other Optionable peeps in the Pen right now. I hope Gray-Rod does well enough to stick around, but I suppose you’re right… let’s see how he does in the next start!
The Mets should salary dump Carrasco to the Orioles just like they did with McCann. I’ve been saying since last year how bad hes been. His “decent” era season last year is misleading as he pitched well vs teams under .500 and got destroyed by any team with a winning record + made excuses after every loss. I thought it was a no brainer to not excersice his option but Silly Eppler doesn’t seem to watch the games with his own eyes
Sounds like you think Cookie stinks, at least at that contract. So, can you explain why the O’s (a notoriouisly cheap franchise) would want him? Is he fixable? If so, why haven’t the Mets fixed him?
McCann scratched an itch. I don’t think Carrasco does for the O’s.
The Orioles essentially did nothing to improve the team overall, nor the pitching thus past off-season
What is happen now is the results of that effort or really lack of effort
SMH
Is two weeks long enough to form any conclusions for a rational person? I’m not saying you’re wrong, but it’s clearly too early. Especially for someone who’s political leanings on their username.
Bradish hasn’t pitched more than 2 IPs.
Gibson has looked good.
Kremer’s the one fans thought was a lock for the rotation heading into the off season. And he’s looked the worst so far.
Grayson is still young with mixed results. He needs to figure out his changeup.
Irvin’s been a mixed bag (soft hits falling in Boston but hit harder against the A’s).
This isn’t a dominant rotation, but it can be serviceable. Even if not the ‘lift off’ fans were expecting…
Especially for someone who’s political leanings on their username.
Hahahaha, that is a cool story, bro
That’s not at all how I see the username. Not sure if he’s trying to be funny or what but I look at it as lefty as in left handed, but I could be wrong.
This was my fear for this team. Relying on guys like Kremer, Voth, Bradish, and Watkins; guys who had very good years last year but are usually fighting for a roster spot. They were due to regress and they are. Even guys in the bullpen like Baker and Perez I’m not sold on yet. Krehbiel didn’t even make the team. Gonna have to hope Gibson does what he does, wells can step up, and Irvin can eat innings at a serviceable era to set up the more reliable arms in the pen. Hopefully Angelos steps up at some point and makes a legit move
Bradish fighting for a roster spot? Are you joking? Last year was Bradish’s rookie season and he was a well-regarded prospect before that. To lump him in with Watkins and Voth is asinine and disingenuous.
@KingOmar,
Asinine and disingenuous is what we do best here. Stir the pot and we all go nuts with Chicken Little fears.
I can’t blame Birdland though, 14 yrs in the wilderness will make you into a seasoned catastrophizer. Add that John Angelo’s spews sewage everytime he opens his trap, the lack of spending and it’s a toxic situation. I ought to get my head checked for continuing to be patient and optimistic. Lol.
It’s a general statement. Don’t take everything word for word in a comment thread. Yes he’s got a higher ceiling than the others, but the point was they were planning on relying on guys who had career years. Do you just like to argue with people on here? This is my 2nd encounter with you in a few weeks