When the season began, the Orioles had two Rule 5 pitchers, right-handers Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells. Sceroler missed time because of right shoulder tendinitis, returned on June 8th and was designated for assignment on Tuesday after pitching poorly.
In five games, Sceroler had a 14.90 ERA. He allowed 15 runs, 12 earned, in 7 2/3 innings and gave up six home runs.
The Orioles drafted Sceroler from Cincinnati, where he pitched in High-A in 2019.
“It’s tough to evaluate when he didn’t have the regular workload out on the mound,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “It’s also tough to pitch in the Florida State League a couple of years ago and then pitch in the big leagues.
“I really like his stuff. I think he’s got starter’s stuff. We held on to him as long as we possibly could because he’s got big upside and he’s going to be a good major league pitcher. It was hard to evaluate because of the usage and him going [on the injured for almost two months]. I wish him the best of luck.”
Sceroler and Wells, who was drafted from Minnesota, grew close because of their shared experience.
“Me and him spent a lot of time together,” Wells said. “Me and him helped each other through spring training. We got this far. I certainly doubt that that’s going to be the last that we see of him. I think that he’ll be in the big leagues again. He’s got the stuff.
“I think that he learned a lot … I’m still learning a lot. I’m always here for him. I’m always here to talk to him and if he ever needs anything, especially out on the baseball field … I think it’s going to provide a good opportunity for him to get back to where he was in 2019. He showed me video. We talked about how he felt back then. He was lights out. He was a phenomenal pitcher.”
Wells has thrown 33 2/3 innings, more than any other reliever other than Adam Plutko, and he’s 2-0 with a 4.01 ERA in 21 games.
In April and May, Wells didn’t get to pitch regularly. He went 12 days between appearances in April and didn’t pitch from May 24th to June 2nd.
After that eight-day layoff, Wells pitched three innings against the Twins, throwing just 35 pitches and earning his first win. That gave Hyde more belief in him, and Wells had more belief in himself.
“I would certainly say after Minnesota was kind of that turning point,” Wells said. “That outing itself gave me a lot of confidence, especially against my former team. Being able to get my first MLB win against my former team.
“I think that confidence gave me the ability to go out, and not give a different energy. I think that my energy has been pretty consistent throughout the year … It helped my mindset a lot, where I need to be to go out there and put up zeroes.”
That three-inning stint remains Wells’ longest of the season, but with the Orioles’ starting rotation in flux, it’s a possibility that the Hyde might try Wells as a starter.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out right now,” Hyde said. “I think it’s definitely a possibility. You never know what’s going to happen the rest of the year, but we’re comfortable where he is right now getting the experience that he is in the bullpen. He’s starting to pitch in some big spots in games. I’m excited about giving him the opportunity. I like the guy’s stuff. We’re keeping our options open with him.”
Next week, Wells will have 90 days of service time, which means that the Orioles could option him to the minor leagues in 2022. As a Rule 5 player, the Orioles can’t option Wells to the minors this season, not that they want to.
“I would never say that I’ve made it until I actually stay and don’t go back to the minor leagues,” Wells said. “With the Rule 5 situation, I stopped looking at myself as a Rule 5 guy. The way that my mentality works, as soon as I made the team, my mentality was that I’m part of the team, I’m not Rule 5 anymore.
“I’m here to stay, and I’m going to work my way into bigger, heavier, higher-leverage roles. I forgot about it as far as that deadline or anything like that goes. I certainly don’t look at myself as a Rule 5 pick anymore. I look at myself as part of this team. The guys have certainly welcomed me in that sense.”
Notes: Hyde said that left-hander John Means, who is rehabbing in Sarasota, Florida, is playing catch and starting to pitch side sessions. “I would expect him [at] some point after the All-Star Game. … The Orioles enter Thursday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Buffalo with a franchise-record 19-game road losing streak. Arizona plays at San Diego on Friday night with a Major League Baseball record of 23 straight losses away from home. “I can’t speak for the other clubs,” Hyde said. “We just have not played well on the road the last month-and-a half. I don’t feel like it’s different from last year or two years ago. There’s not something special that’s happening on the road … I don’t know the reason.” … The Orioles last won a road game on May 5th when Means pitched his no-hitter.
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Me and him, where’s Crash when you need him...go O’s...
Over at Annie's alternately discussing the small of a womans back and debating whether or not Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. All while drinking good Scotch.
Rich, I'm not completely versed on the Rule 5 rules. If Sceroler passes through waivers, and the Reds don't take him back, does he get to remain in the O's minor league system without any restrictions? (I haven't seen anything about someone picking him up or being returned to the Reds yet)
The Orioles would have to make a deal with the Reds. They did that with Pedro Araujo two years ago.
The Reds would likely take him back because he doesn’t have to be put on the 40-man.
Looks like Chris Holt is having another bad 1st inning.
Wow. What a start to tonight’s game. Staggeringly inept pitching.
After 40 pitches, 5 walks and 8 batters, enter Plutko.
At least Kremer didn’t get checked for foreign substances.
The ignominy continues.
Thought they might check him for some domestic substances...lol...go O’s...
Hey, I like Aerosmith, but seriously, 5 walks, on the bright side he only gave up 2 hits the whole game (while he was in)...good thing they sacrificed Jannis last night, bullpen better get ready....go O’s...
Nice positive take, CP!
Plus….not too many pitches thrown by Kremer, so he’ll be fresher for the next start!
Wasn’t John Means put on the IL around June 6th? I thought it was for ten days, what’s up?...go O’s...
How not to help your team get a call, don’t catch the ball & have it drill the ump on his face mask...go O’s...
The O's........looking AA in a AAA ballpark.
Speaking of AA, Bowie gave up another 10 runs tonight. That makes 50 in the last 5 games... Just saying...
They're still clinging to 1st Place. They'll snap out if it. 3-7 over their last 10 games.
That's a tough Division they're in. All but 1 team above .500 baseball.
Do the Orioles, really want to win! Or are they playing for that #1 pick, in next years draft!!!
See TANK below!
They, just can’t be that Bad!
This just screams tank! How long without DFA or roster changes? Who does Wilkerson have held hostage to keep a roster spot? This is the 3rd chance for him, and he has failed each time, cleared waivers TWICE, says it all!
Hey! Don’t go knocking Wilkerson! He’s their “pitcher in waiting”. They might as well give him a full shot because nothing else is working. Just saying...
I was excited when elias was hired and knew it was going to take some time and was ready to be patient. I follow the minors box scores everyday to see how the young guys are doing and there are some exciting guys there but it seems like after another shutout loss to the blue jays that they are going backwards this season. Also the pitching in the minors other then Rodriguez alot of guys are struggling this year. The Orioles have a long history of not being able to get pitching prospects to succeed in the bigs for whatever reason. Kremer,Akin,Lowther all struggling plus Bundy and Gausman never became the stars they looked like in minors. Alot of guys to name who looked good in minors and never made it with Orioles. Arrieta had to go away to become good and now look at Gausman this year. the list is alot longer then those guys also not sure why.
Good point! I’ve been posting here for years that it has to be the coaching. There’s been a lot of “talk” about the O’s and their pitching prospects in the minors but over the past few weeks they seem to have run out of “gas”, getting rocked, night after night. It doesn’t help that the O’s chose to keep Armstrong and Fenter for the bullpen after DFA’ing them and nobody else wanting them. As soon as they appear in a game it’s almost immediate runs for the opposition. In the Bowie game tonight the Baysox were behind, 3 to 2 (Brnovich did a good job over 4 innings... 3 hits, 1 run and 6 so’s) and they bring in Fenter. In 2/3 of an inning he gives up 6 runs. The total for the night was 10 runs making 50 for the last 5 games. At Norfolk, Lowther had another bad outing giving up 5 runs (3 hits, 3 walks) in 4 innings and 78 pitches.
Basically, the cupboard is bare. Earlier, there was some facetious talk about changing the Bowie pitchers with the O’s pitchers. Not any more.! Just saying...
DL Hall is on the IR. The other good pitchers have been hammered lately but again, that's a tough Division they play in. Very competitive. They'll bounce back
Mikepete73, I’ve been saying for years and years now that they haven’t developed a truly great pitcher since Mussina. That’s THIRTY YEARS AGO!! That’s many different scouts, minor and major league coaches and managers, GMs and even ownership. Only one constant-OPACY. I absolutely love OPACY but I’m afraid something has to be done to make it more pitcher friendly, even at the expense of O’s hitters.
DL, agree, love OPACY, but the guys struggling right now in the minors aren’t here yet, dimensions need to change updates to the fences, changes need to start October 1st & bring an entire new attitude to spring 2022...
CalsPals, they’ll have to wait until after October 1st as that will interfere with the playoffs. Ha, I crack myself up! Hey, it’s either that or start drinking which I’ve NEVER done. Sweet tea is the strongest drink for me.
Make it a double, lol...go O’s...
Wow what did they do to Kremer? He’s been a stud pitcher. Now can make it through a couple of batters. Hope it’s just a blip.
I honestly don’t know what to think right now. I recently stated I thought O’s were gonna go on a streak of 20-30 games playing around or over .500. I really thought they were SO close playing good and now this. Shutout 2 straight games, out scored 35-3 in last 4 games and not even remotely competitive in those games. This is as bad as they’ve looked since the ‘18 season. Looking to the minors for positives and they’re all getting shellacked recently as well. I really wanna believe what I saw a week ago that gave me some hope wasn’t a mirage. They were competitive almost every night and just couldn’t get the hit or make the play to get the win. The effort was there every game. I still wanna believe they’re gonna start wining some games to give themselves and their fans some reason for optimism. Was I really that mistaken?
I still think of Wilkerson as an outfielder cuzza that crazy catch in the final game last season. But he also blew a routine play in that game.
BTW, I'm heading up to MD to see my mom next month. Got tix for Jim Palmer bobblehead night at the Yard. Thinking I'll try to run over to Bowie to catch a game too.
#NewOrioleWay!
Oh and another thing...
Why did the last good Orioles team fall apart do suddenly? They still had AJ and Machado and all them guys.
Could it be the moment in the wild card game vs Toronto when Buck went to Ubaldo Jiminez instead of Zach Britton? UJ gave up nothing but line drives in the gap. And maybe the guys just didn't trust Buck after that?
Ive always felt that was the turning point.
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