Pitching is gradually showing itself to be the Baltimore Orioles roster’s weak point. Against the Los Angeles Angels, Grayson Rodriguez contributed to the issue for the first time this season.
In the 7-4 loss on April 23, the 24-year-old gave up 7 runs and a career-high 11 hits across 4 and 1/3 innings.
In an interview with MASN Sports following the game, Rodriguez explained what went wrong against the Angels.
“I simply took on too much plate,” Rodriguez said to MASN. “sending the ball into the center.” Many of the errors were thigh-high. Those men were prepared.
After giving up a home run to Mike Trout in the first inning, he battled through ten more hits until being removed from the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Rodriguez went on, “Really just missing with the heater down the middle.” Making an effort to impress men. Trout obviously attempted to go up with it in the first inning. Simply went wide down the middle and struck someone. Many pitches were left thigh high.
Rodriguez’s ERA rises from 2.73 to 4.45 after his first loss of the season.
It’s his shortest outing, but it’s the third game this year that he’s given up seven or more strikeouts.
Brandon Hyde, the team manager, attributed Rodriguez’s poor performance on a lack of execution.
Hyde told MASN, “I just don’t think he executed.” “Just watching the replay again, there are a number of thigh-high balls in the middle of the plate. They also forced him to pay for it.
In 2024, the only Orioles starters still without a loss on their record are Albert Suarez and Corbin Burnes.
The aggregate record of Baltimore’s other starters is 4-6. This season, the pitching staff as a whole has allowed 25 home runs, which is 10th in MLB. But assistance is en route.
Bradish Kyle Revision
2023’s first starting player Two rehab starts have been made by Kyle Bradish for the Norfolk Tides and Bowie Baysox, the team’s minor league affiliates.
In his most recent appearance, he tossed 3.1 innings in Triple-A, giving up 6 hits and 4 runs while using 64 pitches. The final statistic is the most crucial since it shows how far along he has come in his recuperation.
Bradish is recuperating from a strain on his right UCL. With a 2.83 ERA, he led the starting rotation in 2023 and was the top starter the previous season.
For the Orioles, getting him back is a positive first step. They could also consider trading options.
Orioles Supposed to Be Heading to Gilbert
Is a blockbuster deal the only way to improve Baltimore’s pitching staff’s erratic play?
Given that four of MLB’s top 100 prospects are affiliated with the Orioles, perhaps no team is better positioned to pull off such a transaction.
In a piece published on April 16, ESPN’s David Schoenfield connected Baltimore to Seattle Mariners star Logan Gilbert.
Schoenfield penned “Trading Gilbert.” Who is under team control until 2026 and whose contract starts to grow expensive next season, might help them get the much-needed impact player for this squad. The Orioles, Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers are possible trade partners in that scenario.
Gilbert has started four games for Seattle in 2024. He’s allowed four home runs, but thrown 29 strikeouts and averaged a 2.33 ERA.
He’d provide another starting ace for Baltimore, who acquired Burnes on February 2. One they might need, if they’re going to build off of their 2023 flame out in the AL Divisonal Series.
With three starting pitchers on the injured list, perhaps a shaky start from the mound was to be expected to start the year.
The good news for the Baltimore Orioles, is that there are options aplenty for addressing a struggling pitching staff.
But the easier routes typically require the most patience, which is a luxury for team’s looking to contend in October.
