The Baltimore Orioles entered 2026 with no shortage of questions, but none loomed larger than the bullpen.
A year ago, it was among the worst in baseball, finishing 25th with a 4.57 ERA. The surface numbers in 2026 — a 4.10 ERA, 16th in MLB — do not fully capture the turnaround. That figure has been inflated by innings from pitchers unlikely to stick once the roster is fully healthy.
So how did Baltimore stabilize the group so quickly? A closer look reveals a mix of internal development, savvy acquisitions and role clarity.
ANTHONY NUNEZ
The biggest revelation has been Anthony Nunez, acquired at the 2025 trade deadline in the deal that sent Cedric Mullins to the New York Mets.
Even after a strong spring, his inclusion on the Opening Day roster raised eyebrows. Twenty-eight games later, it looks prescient.
The 24-year-old owns a 1.35 ERA with a 32% strikeout rate across 13.1 innings, backed by a 3.35 FIP and 2.48 xFIP. He ranks in the 92nd percentile in strikeout rate, 83rd in walk rate and 87th in ground-ball rate — a pretty rare combination.
His sweeper has been a true out pitch, generating a 59.3% whiff rate. It is early, but Nunez is already pitching like a long-term solution in late innings.
RICO GARCIA
The other major surprise of the 2026 Oriole season is Rico Garcia, whose path has been less direct.
The 32-year-old journeyman returned to Baltimore on a waiver claim last August after being designated for assignment by — you guessed it — the Mets. A solid finish to 2025 earned him another opportunity this year, one he has certainly maximized.
Garcia has posted a 0.69 ERA with a strikeout rate north of 31%, supported by a 2.90 FIP and 2.78 xFIP. His underlying metrics are equally impressive: 92nd percentile in strikeout rate, 95th in whiff rate, 99th in average exit velocity allowed and 92nd in ground-ball rate.
For a pitcher who has bounced around the league as much as anyone, this looks like a legitimate breakout campaign.
YENNIER CANO
A steady presence since arriving in the 2022 Jorge López trade, Yennier Cano has reestablished himself after a difficult 2025 season.
Following a 5.12 ERA last year, his role entering 2026 was uncertain. The Orioles stayed patient and have ultimately been rewarded for doing so thus far.
Cano owns a 1.86 ERA with a 25.7% strikeout rate, along with a 2.92 FIP and 2.32 xFIP. His sinker-heavy approach (41% usage) and low arm angle continue to drive elite ground-ball results, reflected in a 68% rate that ranks in the 99th percentile.
Cano is a true workhorse out of the pen. The 32-year-old appeared in 72 games in 2023, 70 games in 2024, 65 games in 2025 and has already made his way into 13 of the Orioles’ 27 games in 2026.
GRANT WOLFRAM
Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers after being designated for assignment, Grant Wolfram struggled briefly late in 2025 but has taken a significant step forward this season.
Wolfram owns a 4.50 ERA with a 33.3% strikeout rate, alongside a 1.10 FIP and 2.13 xFIP. The key has been improved command, with his walk rate dropping from 11.3% to 2.1%.
His sinker-sweeper combination has proven difficult to square up, driving his swing-and-miss gains.
The Wolf of Eutaw Street has been a nice lefty option out of the pen early in the season.
TYLER WELLS
Another familiar face, Tyler Wells’ return has added versatility.
After missing much of the past two seasons with elbow issues, the former starter has transitioned into a multi-inning relief role under manager Craig Albernaz.
Wells has posted a 3.68 ERA with a 26.7% strikeout rate so far this season, and while home runs remain a concern, the underlying indicators are encouraging.
He ranks in the 90th percentile in whiff rate and continues to miss bats at a high level, offering value in both long relief and higher-leverage spots when called upon.
RYAN HELSLEY
At the back-end, Ryan Helsley has stabilized the closer role in the absence of Félix Bautista. After a down 2025 season, the signing drew some skepticism, but early returns have been strong.
Helsley has converted all six save opportunities while posting a 2.79 ERA and 34.9% strikeout rate. His high arm slot and triple-digit fastball contrast sharply with the aforementioned Yennier Cano’s profile, giving Baltimore a different look in leverage situations.
He has also mixed in a new splitter that has generated a 64.3% whiff rate in limited use. The walks are still present, but his ability to miss bats has mitigated the damage.
Underneath the surface, Helsley is in the 99th percentile in both whiff and ground-ball rate, 95th percentile in strikeout rate and 97th percentile in fastball velocity.
The Orioles’ season has been uneven in the first month, but the bullpen has become a clear strength. With six reliable options already in place and reinforcements like Andrew Kittredge and Keegan Akin returning, Baltimore has built a unit capable of carrying significant weight.
Are you buying the Orioles’ bullpen hype? 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!
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 RJ’s content? Follow him on X – @blaw690
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment