As the 2025 season approaches, the Baltimore Orioles’ bullpen remains one of the team’s most crucial strengths, as well as one of the top collection of arms in MLB.
The 2024 campaign saw several standout performances from key relievers, setting the stage for what promises to be another strong year of pitching in relief.
Here’s our preview of key bullpen arms for the 2025 O’s season.
1.) Félix Bautista – The Dominant Closer
2024: DNP
Félix Bautista solidified his reputation as one of the premier closers in Major League Baseball in 2023.
However, a major injury led to The Mountain getting Tommy John Surgery before the postseason run in 2023. Now, Bautista returns at the start of 2025 with a chip on his shoulder.
With an explosive fastball that regularly touches 100 mph and a devastating splitter, Bautista is virtually unhittable when he’s on his game. His ability to generate strikeouts at an elite rate and keep runners off base has made him the undisputed anchor at the back of the bullpen.
Heading into 2025, Bautista is primed for another standout year, assuming he stays healthy, and he will once again be a cornerstone of the Orioles’ late-game strategy. Look to see Bautista start the season in low leverage situations as he continues to build up back to his normal role.
2.) Yennier Cano – The Reliable Set-up Man
2024: 3.15 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 65 Ks
Cano’s 2024 season was a showcase of strong pitching in the set-up role for the Birds.
His high-velocity fastball and tight slider make him one of the most reliable set-up men in the game. With an ability to handle both lefties and righties, Cano is a versatile weapon for manager Brandon Hyde.
As the O’s bullpen enters 2025, Cano’s ability to limit hard contact and walks will be key in maintaining his high-leverage role.
3.) Gregory Soto – The Left-Handed Power Arm
2024: 4.46 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 65 Ks
Gregory Soto’s blend of power and effectiveness against both left and right-handed hitters makes him one of the most valuable arms in the O’s bullpen.
His fastball can reach the upper 90s, and his slider is devastating, especially when he’s in a groove. However, there were times last season when Soto really struggled.
His ability to limit walks late in the count will be what we are looking for in 2025. Look for him to play a significant role in late-inning match-ups, particularly against lefties.
4.) Seranthony Domínguez – The Veteran Option
2024: 4.48 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 68 Ks
Seranthony Domínguez’s experience and ability to pitch under pressure was crucial for the Orioles in 2024, and the Birds hope for it to continue into 2025.
Domínguez brings a mix of a high-velocity fastball and a sharp slider that can keep hitters off-balance. Though his strikeout rate isn’t as high as some of the other arms in the pen, his ability to get outs in high-leverage situations makes him a reliable set-up man.
Many fans are worried by his horrendous spring. Through six games, Domínguez sported a 19.50 ERA and a 3.33 WHIP. It’s crucial that Seranthony gets back on track, as he should be slated to see closing opportunities while Bautista gets back to full form.
5.) Cionel Pérez – The Lefty Specialist
2024: 4.53 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 46 Ks
Cionel Pérez has become a trusted lefty specialist for the Orioles, and his role is only expected to grow in 2025.
With his ability to neutralize left-handed hitters thanks to his devastating breaking ball and fastball command, Pérez remains an essential piece of the bullpen puzzle.
As a lefty with a solid strikeout rate and a good feel for managing tough situations, Pérez will continue to get key outs in high-leverage match-ups, especially against tough lefty hitters in crucial moments.
6.) Albert Suárez – The Platoon Man
2024: 3.70 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 108 Ks
Albert Suárez provides much-needed depth to both the Orioles’ rotation and bullpen, as he will serve as a long reliever and potential sixth man in the rotation at the start of the season.
Known for his ability to keep the ball in the strike zone and minimize walks, Suárez is a solid option to eat up innings for the Birds. While he doesn’t boast the strikeout upside of some of the other pitchers in the pen, his reliability and ability to work multiple innings makes him a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Expect Suárez to continue playing an important role in 2025, particularly in situations where the team needs to rest its high-leverage arms.
7.) Keegan Akin – The Two to Three-Inning Reliever
2024: 3.32 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 97 Ks
Keegan Akin’s role as a long reliever became more defined in 2024, and that should continue into the 2025 season.
Akin’s ability to provide length and keep games close when starters falter is a valuable asset to the pen. While he may not have the same dominant stuff as other relievers, Akin’s ability to eat up innings and limit the damage in tough situations makes him a key depth piece for the Orioles.
His flexibility to pitch in various roles should prove crucial during long stretches of the season.
8.) Bryan Baker– The Underdog
2024: 5.01 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 23 Ks
The addition of Bryan Baker to the bullpen is a shock for many.
His spring training outings have not been very impressive, posting a 5.40 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. But he is here currently as a body. Baker’s style is aggressive, often relying on his fastball and slider to get hitters. His ability to get outs both through the air or on the ground has been a key asset in his career.
Look for Baker to be the first man on the chopping block once guys like Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells or even Grayson Rodriguez are ready to take the mound for the O’s again in the starting rotation, as that would move another arm to the pen.
Conclusion
As the 2025 season gets underway, the Orioles’ bullpen remains one of the team’s strongest assets.
With Félix Bautista anchoring the late innings and Yennier Cano and Greg Soto providing high-leverage options, the bullpen is stacked with talent and depth. Players like Seranthony Domínguez and Cionel Pérez bring versatility and specialization, while lengthy options like Albert Suárez and Keegan Akin provide stability.
The continued development and health of these key arms will be crucial as the Orioles look to build on their success in 2025. With this kind of depth, the Birds are in a great position to compete and dominate in late, close games.
Look for this unit to anchor the Orioles, as the starting rotation strives to get healthy early in the season.
What are your thoughts on the O’s bullpen this season? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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