An ace returns, the Orioles lose, and the farm system is improving.
Good morning Birdland,
The most important part of the Orioles’ 5-0 loss to the Red Sox last night was the return of Kyle Bradish. He looked really, really good. The sinker averaged 94.9 mph, just a touch below where he was throwing it in 2024. The slider and the curveball were both nasty, inducing tons of whiffs. And he needed only 81 pitches to get through six innings while holding the Red Sox to two runs, both of which scored on solo home runs.
Bradish checked all the boxes that you want to see if a return from Tommy John: velocity, control, and spin. He looked like the prime version of himself that pitched in 2023 and part of ‘24. It made the loss somewhat bearable.
Starting pitching was the main reason that the Orioles got off to their horrific start to this season. The team was making do without Bradish or Trevor Rogers. It all goes well from now through the end of the season, that won’t be the case in 2026.
That makes Mike Elias’ upcoming offseason a little easier than it may have seemed back in May. He doesn’t necessarily have to rebuild an entire rotation. Between those two and Dean Kremer, the Orioles have the building blocks for a competitive group. They should still look to add to it with a pitcher you feel confident starting in a playoff game.
As for the offense, they continue to disappoint. Only one of their six hits went for extra bases (Dylan Beavers double). Gunnar Henderson struggled with three strikeouts. Jackson Holliday was 0-for-3 with a walk. Coby Mayo went 0-for-4.
You would like to see some of the bigger names in the lineup finish 2025 on a high note. They still have a month to do that. But right now, the offense is the part of the team that feels like it needs an overhaul in the winter. That should force Elias and the player development team to do some deeper analysis.
Links
Orioles To Select Roansy Contreras | MLB Trade Rumors
It looks like Dietrich Enns is going to serve as an opener today with Roansy Contreras to provide bulk relief behind him. That does not feel like a winning combination, but baseball can be weird sometimes.
Inside the Dugout: Enjoy Kyle Bradish’s return | The Baltimore Banner
Bradish pitching is one of the main reasons to watch the Orioles in September, alongside getting a better look at Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers. Or maybe you just like Orioles baseball. Weirdo.
Updated 2025 MLB system rankings: Prospect insights, analysis | ESPN
The Orioles have inched up in Kiley McDaniel’s list, led by several pop-up prospects and a massive draft class. But once Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers are no longer considered “prospects” they may take another hit to their status. A big trade this offseason could also have an impact, but we will see if that actually happens.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Spenser Watkins turns 33 today. He spent two seasons as a helpful arm while the Orioles rebuilt in 2021 and ‘22.
- Jim Thome is 55 years old. The Hall of Famer is best remembered for his time in Cleveland and Philadelphia, but he also played in 28 games for the 2012 Orioles down the final stretch.
This day in O’s history
1961 – Milt Pappas shuts out the Twins and also hits two home runs himself in a 3-0 win for the Orioles.
1968 – The Orioles remain four games back of the Tigers despite sweeping a doubleheader against the Athletics.
1973 – For the 14th consecutive game, the Orioles are victorious. They beat the Rangers 6-1 to reach the longest winning streak in the AL since 1960.
1999 – Harold Baines is traded from Baltimore to Cleveland for minor league pitchers Juan Aracena and Jimmy Hamilton
Category: General Sports
