As fatigue units in on an Orioles roster that has battled its approach to the highest of the American League East, the membership is nearing some reinforcements.
On Sept. 1, Baltimore can add two gamers to its roster for the ultimate month-plus of the common season, supplying much-needed fortifications for each the pitching workers and lineup with the probability being the Orioles add one pitcher and place participant every; at the same time as rosters develop from 26 to twenty-eight, the restrict on pitchers they’re allowed to hold will increase by just one from 13 to 14.
It’s believable the Orioles use these additional roster spots in a comparatively modest vogue, equivalent to activating outfielder Aaron Hicks from the injured listing and recalling a well-recognized reliever equivalent to Bryan Baker, Joey Krehbiel or Logan Gillaspie. But extra intriguing choices shall be out there, together with quite a few high prospects.
Here are the seven most fascinating gamers the Orioles might add when their roster expands Sept. 1, so as by probability.
Tyler Wells
Wells made his first look out of Triple-A Norfolk’s bullpen Wednesday, pitching a scoreless eighth inning within the Tides’ 3-1 victory. He was Baltimore’s high starter within the first half of the season, however after he confirmed fatigue out of the All-Star break, the Orioles despatched him to Double-A Bowie and have now determined to return him to a reduction function for his or her playoff push. In his 2021 rookie season, Wells blossomed right into a key late-inning reliever for supervisor Brandon Hyde, and the hope is he can do the identical once more subsequent month.
DL Hall
After Wells labored the eighth for Norfolk, Hall pitched a scoreless ninth, hanging out three whereas strolling two to earn the save. Baltimore’s high pitching prospect after the commencement of Grayson Rodriguez, the 24-year-old left-hander shined out of the Orioles’ bullpen down the stretch final yr, and after regaining the speed he lacked earlier this yr, Hall is poised for a repeat. He’s struck out 18 of 30 batters confronted since his return to Norfolk after present process a strengthening interval on the Orioles’ Sarasota, Florida, complicated.
Colton Cowser
Cowser struggled mightily in his first style of the majors. He’s probably earned the possibility to come back again rapidly by thriving in his return to Triple-A. He hit .348/.464/.739 in his first six video games again with Norfolk, and though he went 0-for-4 with 4 strikeouts Wednesday, he made a sensational catch in heart discipline. Overall, the 23-year-old has hit .326 with a 1.001 OPS in Triple-A this yr, exhibiting the impression he can have as soon as he settles into the majors.
John Means
Perhaps the most important hurdle Means faces in terms of being activated Sept. 1 is the truth that that date doesn’t align along with his present beginning schedule. Since starting his rehabilitation task as he works again from his May 2022 Tommy John elbow reconstruction, Means — the Orioles’ finest starter all through their rebuild — has pitched each 5 days, along with his subsequent begin scheduled for Friday with Norfolk after three outings with Bowie. That would line up his subsequent begin for Aug. 30, along with his utilization suggesting he’ll construct as much as 90 pitches in that look. Then, Baltimore might make a big addition to its late-season rotation.
Joey Ortiz
It’s maybe straightforward to overlook that, among the many assortment of main league-ready place participant prospects the Orioles opened the season with, Ortiz was the primary of them to debut this yr. Despite hitting .332 with a .913 OPS at Triple-Some time enjoying what’s thought to be elite shortstop protection, Ortiz has obtained restricted and rare alternatives with Baltimore. Even now, it’s unclear whether or not there’s enjoying time out there for him on the Orioles’ infield, however in contrast to the gamers who observe him on this listing, Ortiz is already on Baltimore’s 40-man roster, making a possible transaction simpler, and — ought to it matter within the staff’s selections — bats right-handed.
Heston Kjerstad
Kjerstad ending this yr within the majors could be outstanding. Heart and hamstring illnesses compelled the No. 2 decide within the 2020 draft to attend two years to make his skilled debut, and it took him lower than a yr from that time to achieve Triple-A, raking at virtually each cease alongside the best way. A 24-year-old who performs each the nook outfield and first base, Kjerstad has hit .307 with 19 dwelling runs, 26 doubles, seven triples and a .923 OPS within the higher minors this yr.
Jackson Holliday
As spectacular as Kjerstad’s ascension could be, Holliday’s would simply high it. The 19-year-old shortstop has quickly gone from the No. 1 decide in final summer time’s draft to baseball’s unanimous No. 1 prospect by hitting .332/.455/.524 throughout three ranges. In 27 video games with Bowie, he’s batting .333 with a .953 OPS, prompting government vice chairman and normal supervisor Mike Elias to inform MASN this week, “He’s about as polished as you can imagine.” But Elias has additionally repeatedly referred to success in Triple-A as a prerequisite to advertise a prospect to the majors; for the way this entrance workplace has operated, having Holliday skip the extent completely could be unprecedented, however so is far else Holliday has performed in his first professional season.
A notice of import because it pertains to Holliday and Kjerstad: It would make it simpler for the Orioles to incorporate them on any postseason roster in the event that they’re added to the 40-man roster Sept. 1, but it surely’s not a requirement. They might additionally function a substitute for an injured participant who has spent the requisite period of time on the IL.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com