It was a hot day at Camden Yards on Sunday, but that didn’t stop Mike Wright from bringing more heat in his Major League debut.
Wright was called on to start against the Angels after Bud Norris couldn’t go due to an illness and Chris Tillman was scratched with back tightness. He was faced with the tough task of making his first start against a lineup that features Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
Wright showed an impressive fastball early on and was able to get his first major league strikeout against Trout. Wright showed poise throughout his performance, and he only gave up four hits in 7 1/3 innings. Wright faced his only jam in the seventh inning, but he was able to get a double play to end the inning.
Wright showed off an upper 90s fastball during his outing and gave the Orioles a fantastic performance. A stellar outing was need, as the team struggled to get the bats going. Wright only had a one-run lead through most of his start.
It was the perfect debut for the right-hander who has spent almost five years in Baltimore’s minor league system. Wright had a 2.64 ERA in Norfolk in six starts at the beginning of this season, which is probably the reason Buck Showalter felt comfortable making him the spot starter on Sunday.
Wright’s performance has a lot of fans talking about whether or not he deserves another start.
The answer is pretty simple: yes.
The Orioles have struggled to get the offense going lately and can’t afford to have starters give up early leads. Wright showed the ability to go after hitters early with his fastball and let his fielders do the work. He didn’t allow a single walk in the game, which should be music to everyone’s ears.
Showalter will have a tough decision on what to do with Wright, but he should let him have Norris’ spot for the time being. Norris has struggled mightily this season and may need to work out the kinks as a reliever in the bullpen.
While there shouldn’t be huge expectations from the right-hander, he has the ability to be as consistent as Miguel Gonzalez.
Wright should stay in the rotation as long as he can keep letting the fielders do the work. The only way that the pitcher out of East Carolina can prove that he can is if he gets another chance in the rotation.
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