The trade deadline has been one that Birdland has watched with emotions ranging from frustration to excitement to curious impatience. For all the building over the last four years, Birdland waited for that move to boost what was already a talented team.
It would take talent to get talent for the AL-East-leading Orioles. For all the years of suffering and frustration, it looks like that move has finally happened. After missing out on Lucas Gialito, Lance Lynn, Jordan Montgomery, Justin Verlander and Michael Lorenzen, the Baltimore Orioles have finally landed their bird (pun intended).
According to multiple industry sources, the Baltimore Orioles have acquired right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty in exchange for infielder César Prieto (O’s No. 16 prospect), left-handed pitcher Drew Rom (O’s No. 18 prospect) and minor league right-handed pitcher Zach Showalter.
In Flaherty, the Orioles receive a veteran starter who turns 28 years of age in October and will be a free agent at the end of the season. The California native is 7-6 with a 4.43 ERA across 109.2 innings of work this season. He has struck out 106 batters while posting a 1.55 WHIP.
Flaherty appears to be turning a corner, as he is 3-1 in five starts in July. He has totaled 29.2 innings with an ERA of 3.03 while striking out 26 batters in that span.
Flaherty’s last start was on July 26, making him available shortly after arriving in Baltimore. He will presumably take the place of Tyler Wells in the O’s rotation, keeping Cole Irvin in the bullpen.
César Prieto was having a fantastic season in the O’s system. Between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, the contact-first infield prospect has hit .349/.393/.475 with six home runs and 49 RBIs in 85 games.
Drew Rom, on the other hand, has had an up and down season at the Triple-A level. In 19 games this season, the 23-year-old lefty went 7-6 with a 5.34 ERA and 1.698 WHIP, striking out 100 and walking 46.
For most O’s fans, 19-year-old right-hander Zack Showalter might be the hardest pill to swallow. He’s only pitched in nine games in his career between the FCL Orioles and Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds, but Showalter has a 2.37 ERA in a little over 30 innings pitched, with 41 strikeouts.
We would like to welcome Jack Flaherty to Baltimore! Birdland welcomes you with open wings to The Nest!
What do you think of this deal? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on X – @SRJHeckman, and listen to the official podcast of The Baltimore Battery, The Final Strike, anywhere you get your podcasts!
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment