We have hit our final prospect before we reach the top 10, and it’s one that we personally have been fans of since his collegiate days.
Trace Bright got better every year in college and eventually showed out to be an intriguing prospect for the Orioles over the last couple of years. Let’s dive into the O’s No. 11 overall prospect on this edition of Prospect Profiles.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
Bright’s collegiate career starts during the 2020 season with Auburn, when pitched in just three games and had an 8.38 ERA in just 9.2 innings of work. In 19 appearances in 2021, including 11 starts, Bright went 4-4 with a 6.98 ERA in 49 innings and gave up 53 total hits and 38 earned runs, walked 18 batters and struck out 43.
Bright pitched in 18 games his junior year, but he already seemed to show improvement. He had his first double-digit strikeout game when he punched out 10 batters against Southeastern Louisiana. His ERA went down to a 5.13, he pitched 31.2 more innings for 80 total, walked 20 more batters for 38 and more than doubled his strikeout number, bringing it up to 94.
The Orioles would select the right-hander in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Bright would make his professional debut on August 19 as the starter for the FCL Orioles. He would pitch two shutout innings and strike out four batters. He would get called up to the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds after that start and finish the season pitching in three games and having a 1.86 season ERA between the two clubs.
Bright would start the 2023 season with the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds, where we would get our first full season look. He would pitch 22 games, with 18 of them being starts, and carried a 4.35 ERA in 82.2 innings. He would show great control as well, walking just 48 batters and striking out 127, good enough to earn a call up to Double-A Bowie on August 22.
His entire 2024 season would be spent with the Baysox, and despite not having a single win on his record, he still looked solid. He posted a 4.18 ERA in 27 starts and 112 innings, giving up 52 earned runs, walking 60 batters and striking out 120.
The 6-foot-4 righty’s 92-94 mph fastball plays up by getting above barrels due to its plane and carry. His best secondary offering is his mid-70s curveball that he tunnels well off the heater and can throw to both sides of the plate with depth. He also incorporates a changeup and two types of sliders.
The area Bright needs to improve the most on is his command. He’s had high strikeout rates in college and through his pro career, but that comes with high walk rates. Look for him to work on his control in 2025, likely working between Double and Triple-A.
What are your thoughts on O’s No. 11 overall prospect, Trace Bright? 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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