Today we continue the breakdown of the 2022 Orioles roster. Last week we talked about the rotation, and today we move into the bullpen. The bullpen had a weird year in 2021. There were some highs and lows, but I think it has a lot of potential with underrated relievers and exciting arms. If the Birds are to defy expectations and get out of the AL East cellar, the bullpen will have to play a key role. You can win some money on them doing just that, and maximize your potential return by utilizing the best sportsbook bonuses here.
Like last time I will be separating the bullpen into sections. The sections are the most known, the most unknown, the most underrated piece, free-agent options, underrated options outside the Majors, and how they will perform. So with all that out of the way, let’s get into it.
The Known
Sulser might be the most underrated Oriole on the roster. He was the most consistent reliever in the Orioles bullpen a season ago, with eight saves while only blowing three. Interestingly, Sulser can limit home runs, as he only gave up five in 63 innings. That is impressive, especially for a reliever. Sulser also has high strikeout rates mixed with some low walk rates. He does all this despite averaging only about 93 mph on his fastball. The O’s will lean on Sulser heavily in 2022.
The Unknown
The fall of Paul Fry was one of the saddest storylines of the 2021 season. Fry went from a very good reliever to being sent to Triple-A in about two months. He was great to start the year as he only gave up one run and six hits over the first month. He followed that up with a great May, and Fry looked like an easy trade candidate at the deadline in July. Then June hit, and Fry just wasn’t as good. He bounced back fine in July but wasn’t traded at the deadline. After he wasn’t traded, his season became an absolute disaster. His ERA was over 20 in August in only seven innings of work. There is no other way to describe his month of August than just a train wreck. After that, he got sent to Triple-A, and we never saw him again at the major league level.
What happened to Paul Fry? Did he lose his confidence? Was he using sticky stuff and couldn’t adjust after the ban? I have no idea. Fry has to find his groove again this season. He doesn’t have great velocities or break on his pitches, so he needs that control he had at the beginning of the season. That, however, is far from a given, so I honestly don’t know where he goes from here. I do know that he will be given a chance to show if August was a fluke or not.
I just don’t know where Fry goes at this point. He could be better, but his time might run out with the Orioles if he looks like he did the last time we saw him in MLB.
The Most Underrated Piece
Wells’ 4.11 ERA is, in my opinion, deceiving. Wells was the better of the Rule V Picks from the previous year as he carved a nice role in the bullpen. He has some high velocities and excellent spin rates that lead to good chase rates. The issue with Wells is that he gives up some hard contact, and the hitters barrel him up. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what happens next in hitter’s paradise Camden Yards. What is interesting is that his ERA was much lower on the road than at home. Also, looking at the home runs he did surrender at home, some of them won’t be gone with the new dimensions. Wells has some imposing stuff with nasty break and great chase rates. I can see Wells having a nice year.
Free-Agent Options:
Last year, Ottavino had a nice bounce-back season for the Red Sox and would bring a needed veteran presence to Baltimore. I was struck by just how young some of these arms were when researching this article. Outside of Sulser and Fry, they are all in their mid to late twenties and are very young in their careers
Ottavino can bring some veteran leadership while also being a solid reliever. He has the same issue that Wells has, and it is a trend with most relievers who throw hard with a lot of movement: they tend to get lit up during their slumps. This is why his ERA is higher than you would like – because he can have some bad stretches. Ottavino does have a nasty sinker/slider combo, making him hard to hit when he is on. Ottavino is 36, so he may not want to go to a rebuilding team, but I feel like the bullpen needs another veteran presence, and would Ottavino fit the bill.
Underrated options outside the Majors
Bautista was one of the most underrated storylines from the 2021 minor league season. After slowly improving since 2016, Bautista broke out with a 1.46 ERA last year in 40 innings. Bautista is one of the most intimidating presences on the mound in the Orioles organization. Do not look at his 6’5 listing on most sites; he is around 6’8 and is much bigger than his official listing. He uses his huge frame to throw absolute gas from the mound. He has a fastball that can get up to 100 mph and great secondary offerings. Bautista struggles with walks, but with a frame this big and an arm this lively, you kind of expect that. Bautista can be an electric factory and could give the Orioles bullpen a big boost.
How They Will Perform
I like the potential of the Orioles bullpen. It has some underrated arms like Sulser mixed with high velocity and spin rate pitchers like Wells and Tanner Scott. The big issue with them last year was consistency. Some nights the bullpen would be electric; other times, they would be out of control. I guess that is what happens when you have these arms that are young and not all that developed. I also think overuse was an issue last year which is expected when the rotation isn’t giving any length most games.
Overall, I love the potential of this group. The Orioles have some young arms that can be electric and some guys finding new roles in the bullpen like Jorge Lopez. Add in guys Cionel Perez, and this bullpen has the potential to be something great. It just boils down to the one thing that all bullpens want and need, consistency.
Join me next week when I talk about the infield.
