Orioles’ starting pitching appears to be a strength: ‘I think we’re very underrated’

SARASOTA— Early in spring training, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said he was open to a conventional five-man rotation or even a six-man rotation. Everything was on the table, he said.

With two weeks before the Orioles leave Florida, nothing has changed.

“Decisions have not been made. Everything is still on the table,” Albernaz said on Friday.

For the moment, the Orioles have six starters — Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer, Zach Eflin and Chris Bassitt.

Might the Orioles consider piggyback starters, where two starters throw multiple innings in the same game?

“Everything is on the table,” Albernaz said.

Opening Day is on March 26^th, and speculation on who will get that start centers on Bradish and Rogers. Albernaz said he isn’t close to naming a starter.

“I have no clue. When I name an Opening Day starter, you guys will have it,” he said.

The good news for Albernaz and the Orioles is that he has lots of good choices. Two weeks into Grapefruit League games, the starters have generally performed well.

Bradish, who started just six times last season after June 2024 Tommy John surgery, has allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings. Rogers gave up two hits in five scoreless innings with six strikeouts in two Grapefruit League starts before giving up six to Team Netherlands on Tuesday.

Baz has allowed three runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings in two starts.

Before leaving to play for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, Kremer had given up four runs on seven hits in 8 2/3 innings.

After Rogers’ uneven performance against the Netherlands, Kremer threw four excellent innings.

Eflin, who had back surgery in August, allowed a hit in his scoreless 2 1/3 innings on Thursday against Tampa Bay in Port Charlotte.

Bassitt, who signed with the Orioles on February 13^th, allowed an infield single and a walk in three-plus innings on Friday. He gave up two runs on two hits in two innings last Sunday.

Adding the 37-year-old Bassitt has made a huge difference for Albernaz.

“The experience is awesome,” he said. “You can’t take that away. With veteran guys like that, it’s how you’re sharing your experience, how you’re talking about it. The way Bassitt goes about it, he has such a great feel for the coaching staff, the players, where he’s not overbearing with it. He’s great at navigating conversations. That’s the real value that he’s bringing, and the experience is huge, but it’s just the way he’s having these conversations and that’s really impactful.”

Bassitt has embraced his fellow starters.

“I’m excited,” Bassitt said. “I think we’re very underrated. The games will tell, but I’m excited, for sure. We have the guys. I’m not going to get too excited about it because I don’t want to make no headlines. I’d rather be a stealth bomber, so to speak, and not have anybody talk about us, just surprise people, I guess. I’m excited, yeah.”

Ryan Mountcastle is one of many teammates who has enjoyed getting to know Bassitt.

“He’s a great guy,” Mountcastle said. “Really good presence in the clubhouse. So far, he’s been great.”

Albernaz is happy with what he’s seen from the starers.

“One hundred percent,” he said. “Spring training is for making sure these guys are built up and ready for Opening Day.

“They’re working on some stuff. Each one is different. As long as they’re going out and working on that in the game and they’re checking the boxes of the buildup, everything has been great.”

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com