The Orioles have faced quite a few injuries this season, which have resulted in a couple of minor league pitchers’ debuts.
Mike Wright, Oliver Drake, and Tyler Wilson are three names that have been known by Orioles’ fans for just a small amount of time but have actually been familiar names in the minor league system.
All three pitchers have spent extensive time in minor leagues for the Orioles and have finally made their major league debuts for their parent team. The trio has combined for 20 and 1/3 innings pitched and Wilson has given up the only earned run between the three.
Wright has settled into the rotation, while Drake remains in the back end of the bullpen and Wilson is back in Norfolk but just a call-up away.
The three pitchers have started a youth movement for the Orioles, as the team is finally starting to bring up its minor league talent. It’s essential for the Baltimore front office to do this with so many potential free agents that could leave the team after this season.
The Orioles have a huge list of impending free agents that includes pitchers Wei-Yin Chen, Bud Norris, Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Darren O’Day and Wesley Wright. The list continues with position players Matt Wieters, Chris Davis, Alejandro De Aza, Steve Pearce and Delmon Young.
It’s pretty much a given that Baltimore will lose many of those players, which means that M.Wright, Drake and Wilson aren’t the only prospects that will be seen on the major league squad the rest of the season.
One of the biggest names that should be on the roster soon is pitcher Dylan Bundy, who is out of options next season. Bundy has given up nine runs in 22 innings this season in Double-A Bowie and has recently experienced shoulder trouble. However, the Oklahoma product got news that the shoulder issues were minor and he should be with the club by the end of summer.
Another pitching prospect that could make his debut is Zach Davies, who has a 2.93 ERA in Triple-A Norfolk. Davies could find his way into the Orioles’ bullpen by the end of the season and might find a way into the back of the rotation in the future.
Tim Berry is also an option for the Orioles but has struggled in Bowie and may need more time to develop.
Baltimore will need to fill holes in the lineup as well, which bodes well for prospects Dariel Alvarez, Christian Walker and Mike Yastrzemski.
Alvarez hasn’t shown the usual average he’s put up in the past but still plays extremely well defensively and should be given shot with the Orioles next season.
Walker is almost guaranteed a spot next year with the probable departure of Davis and possibly Young and Pearce. He’s also struggled this year but has shown serious promise through his minor league career and will at least be in a platoon situation next season.
Yastrzemski has the biggest hill to climb to make the team compared to the others but still has the tools to make the roster. He’s a strong contact hitter and will eventually get his chance to prove he should be on the team. There are glimpses of Nick Markakis in his play.
It’s tough to look ahead with more than half a season left to play but the youth movement has already begun in Baltimore. Look for it to continue.
