There was a time when pundits across the country said the Baltimore Orioles’ biggest weakness was pitching.
Even before the 2023 season began, various pundits had the starting rotation as one of the team’s biggest weaknesses.
That team went on to win 101 games, the AL East Title and the top seed in the American League. Unfortunately, their inexperience showed in the ALDS, and the Birds were swept by the eventual World Series Champions, the Texas Rangers.
Through all of this, the Orioles knew they needed to upgrade the rotation if they wanted to take the next step. General Manger Mike Elias spoke to top free agents during the winter and had calls out to multiple organizations about different trade scenarios.
It was near spring training when news came out that Corbin Burnes was acquired by the Orioles for former top lefty prospect D.L. Hall and top 10 prospect, infielder Joey Ortiz.
The rotation looked formidable, with Burnes, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells or John Means to round it out. There was also Cole Irvin and Albert Suárez capable of spot starting, and the minors had youngsters Cade Povich and Chayce McDermott to go along with Bruce Zimmermann and Jonathan Heasley.
What once was a weakness became a luxury of depth, and the expectations of the club were sky high. Then, the dam began to crack, at the foundation at that.
In February, it was reported that key rotation piece, Kyle Bradish, would be sidelined with what was reported as a UCL strain in his throwing arm.
Adding salt to the open wound, John Means was delayed in his pitching program to begin the offseason and would start the year on the injured list.
This small pebble was just the beginning of what would snow ball into an avalanche and push the limits of what manager Brandon Hyde was able to do. What is becoming a master class on how to handle adversity, injuries and a young team is arguably one of the best accomplishments Hyde has achieved in his career thus far.
As of this writing, these have been the Orioles’ pitching injuries for this season:
- RHP Félix Bautista: Tommy John surgery recovery, return: 2025
- RHP Kyle Bradish (two IL stints): UCL strain and Tommy John surgery, return: possibly late 2025
- LHP John Means (two IL stints): Second Tommy John surgery since 2022, return: possibly late 2025 (free agent)
- RHP Tyler Wells: UCL surgery (not Tommy John), return: mid-2025
- RHP Grayson Rodriguez: Shoulder inflammation, returned: May 18, 2024
- RHP Dean Kremer: Triceps strain, return: end of June 2024
- LHP Danny Coulombe: Bone chips removed, return: early September 2024
- LHP Cionel Pérez: Oblique strain, returned: April 29, 2024
Hyde has had to shuffle the deck of cards more than he ever expected. What is making his job more impressive this season is that it’s actually Hyde pulling the strings and making the decisions.
Last year, Chris Holt oversaw the pitching programs, rehab assignments and availability for games. Holt has moved into a more executive position this year, giving Hyde more control of the team on the field when it comes to the pitching staff.
He has utilized his knowledge, his training and the perspective of others to work through and around the injuries, properly resting the bullpen and putting his faith in the players to perform the way they are believed to be capable of performing.
The Orioles pitching staff is currently tied for third in baseball in victories (61), sixth in saves (32), seventh in ERA (3.73), tied for 10th in shutouts (7), fifth in WHIP (1.20) and tied for third in opponent batting average (.229).
Hyde finally deserves the credit he is due. Most teams who have encountered or dealt with adversity and injuries of this magnitude would fold or collapse under the pressure. A team with a strong leader will always find a way to persevere.
Despite the adversity, the Orioles are still in first place in the AL East and will once again contend for a top spot in the 2024 postseason. It just shows how good this team is and will be for years to come.
What are your thoughts on how Brandon Hyde has handled the O’s pitching staff this season? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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