Orioles’ spring training performances that shouldn’t be forgotten

SARASOTA, Florida—There are many well known prospects in Orioles camp who’ve drawn the most attention, but there are others who’ve stood out in the month since spring training began.

Albert and Andrew Suárez

The Suárez’s aren’t related, though this is the second time they’ve pitched for the same organization. They were in the San Francisco Giants organization before Albert Suárez left to play in Asia.

Andrew Suárez is a 31-year-old left-hander; Albert is a 34-year-old right-hander. Andrew has thrown five times in relief and allowed one run on four hits in seven innings for a 1.29 earned-run average and 0.857 WHIP. He last pitched in the major leagues in 2023 when he posted a 7.16 ERA in 13 games for St. Louis.

Albert last pitched in the majors in 2017. In three games, two starts, he has a 3.00 ERA. Most impressive, he leads the team with 13 strikeouts.

Chayce McDermott

McDermott was sent to minor league camp on Wednesday, and he left after impressing manager Brandon Hyde with 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Last year’s organizational minor league pitcher of the year, McDermott, a 25-year-old right-hander, struck out 10, walked three and allowed five hits.

After a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk, McDermott had a 2.49 ERA in 50 2/3 innings last season.

Of the four young prospects in camp, McDermott is probably ahead of 23-year-old left-hander Cade Povich, who will start Thursday night’s Spring Breakout game and was also reassigned to minor league camp on Wednesday.

The two other prospects, 25-year-old right-handers Justin Armbruester and Seth Johnson, had previously been cut from the spring training roster.

Armbruester pitched in only one early Grapefruit League game, allowing a hit in three scoreless innings. Johnson pitched briefly in only five games late last season after August 2022 Tommy John surgery.

Garrett Stallings

Stallings was acquired in December 2020 when the Orioles sent shortstop José Iglesias to the Los Angeles Angels.

The 26-year-old right-hander was 8-4 with a 5.47 ERA in 15 games for Norfolk last season. He pitched in the first Grapefruit League game of the season and allowed two hits in three scoreless innings.

Wandisson Charles

Charles, pronounced “Char-liss, needs better control for the Orioles to consider a promotion. He walked four and struck out four, allowing two hits in four scoreless innings. Like McDermott and Povich, he was reassigned to minor league camp on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old right-hander first pitched professionally in 2015 in the Oakland organization. Last year, after a 2.35 ERA in 13 games with Double-A Bowie, he was promoted to Norfolk. In 30 innings with the Tides, he struck out 40 but walked 28.

Diego Castillo

Castillo, 30, was also reassigned on Wednesday. With all the infielders and outfielders in camp, it was easy to overlook Castillo, who was acquired off waivers from Philadelphia on February 16^th. It will be difficult for Castillo to get an Orioles promotion, but he hit .375 (6-for-16) in 11 games.

Castillo primarily plays shortstop and second base, and there are several prospects ahead of him.

Daniel Johnson

The 28-year-old left-handed hitter was the only pure outfielder the Orioles invited to major league spring training. He impressed guest instructor Adam Jones with his questions, and Hyde pointed out his key hits during early Grapefruit League games.

Johnson, who also is minor league camp, hit two home runs and drove in five runs while hitting .308 (8-for-26) in 16 games, tied with Coby Mayo for most in the spring. Like Castillo, Johnson faces a long road to the Orioles.

Errol Robinson

Robinson, a 29-year-old infielder, was a feel-good story in camp. Robinson is a native Marylander (Boyds, in Montgomery County) who grew up watching Orioles games at Camden Yards. After signing a minor league contract with the Orioles in January, he didn’t receive an official invitation to camp. He kept getting added as an extra player and while he was never officially invited to camp, Robinson had a locker in the main clubhouse for a few days.

Robinson hit .400 (6-for-15) and played in 15 games but is another who has too many strong players in front of him.