The Orioles have acquired right-hander Asher Wojciechowski from the Indians in exchange for cash, per announcements from both teams. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk for the time being, although the O’s are listing a TBD for tomorrow night’s game, which would align with Wojciechowski’s schedule. He last started for Cleveland’s Triple-A club on June 26. MLB.com’s Joqe Trezza tweets that Dylan Bundy had been slated to pitch tomorrow night, and no reason has been given as to his apparent scratch from that start.
Wojciechowski, 30, has pitched to a 3.61 ERA with 8.7 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9 in 84 2/3 innings of Triple-A ball so far in 2019. Like many other pitchers in Triple-A this season, he’s been exceptionally home-run prone after the league switched the baseball. Wojciechowski has averaged two long balls per nine innings pitched, prompting fielding-independent metrics like FIP (5.80) and xFIP (5.50) to paint an uglier picture. It should be noted that homers have been a longstanding issue for Wojciechowski, but he’s never struggled with them to this extent in the minors.
Wojciechowski isn’t a stranger to the big leagues, having pitched 78 2/3 innings in the Majors between the Astros in 2015 and the Reds in 2017. Like recently acquired Tom Eshelman, who’ll start tonight for the O’s, Wojciechowski is something of a familiar face for Baltimore GM Mike Elias, whose time in the Houston front office overlapped with Wojciechowski’s four years in the Astros organization. The 6’4″ righty has yet to find much big league success (6.44 ERA), but he’s averaged better than a strikeout per inning in the Majors. In 635 career innings of Triple-A ball, Wojciechowski has a 4.27 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.
Wojciechowski looks like an eye chart
Just imagine if he’s ever relieved by Marc Rzepczynski, now that’s a mouthful.
And if Jarrod Saltalamacchia catches both of them.
He’s Polish so he runs to 3rd base on base hits.
Ethnic slurs are ok here?!?
Everyone has been wanting pitching from the Indians. Baltimore was successful!
They’re doing the right thing, basically treating the next 2 years as a giant try-out camp. You never know; there are Max Muncy-s and Joey Wendle-s out there, just gotta find them.
Tomorow will be a big day, as they attempt, for the first time in a while, to get into the International market. The best prospects seem already spoken for, the result of years-long relationships the O’s haven’t had time to establish yet. So you run around with the checkbook, and sign everybody who breathes; lots of International prospects were originally unheralded, and lots of the heralded ones washed out.
Yeah, the international market is like hunting while blind. better go for quantity when it comes to the younger guys, as well as the Cionel Perezes and Gurriels of the world. (as in guys with pro experience under their belts already) Time has told us the Maitans and Dermis Garcias of the world aren’t very good investments.
Just like Branch Ricky said!
“Quality through quantity.”
The Orioles might not have long-established relationships in Latin America, but Elias does. I’m sure that he has been able to flip some prospects to Baltimore with the promise of “look how barren our farm system is, if you produce you’ll definitely get your chance”. In an interview last week he talked in very positive terms about what the O’s will do in this signing period, and while he’s doesn’t generally give information away, so far he’s never straight out lied to the media. That gives me hope for round 1.
Good point. And the scouting/development in those areas has improved dramatically, away from the “bascons” who did everything from physical and sexual abuse to those kids; it was a mess. Things at least appear to be much better now.
They should’ve grabbed Hector Noesi instead from Miami. More strikeouts and less walks.
Elias knows this guy from his Houston days. I’m sure he’s not expecting much but he knows him about as well as anyone else. He spent time in Norfolk last season anyway. We need starters for AAA with Rogers injury and Eshelman’s call up. Also need a guy for tomorrow night so that could be his slot.
I knew that and I understand what you’re saying there. Both of them are improvements over what Baltimore has as far as I’m concerned, I just prefer Noesi by a little bit. Also nice prediction on the Eschelman call up.
Churn, churn, churn. See who sticks.
Be sure to bring an outfielder’s glove if you are standing on Eutaw Street when he pitches.
Maybe you should wear a helmet, too.
He’ll fit right in. Ready for these international picks.
Making a roster spot in Columbus for the eventual arrival of…..Danny Salazar?
I love the optimism!
We should have given Baltimore back those 26 runs they scored against us in back-to-back games.
Good one, I like it! ;)
Asher “Kenny Powers” Wojciechowski! Good luck, O’s. Have those telescopes ready to watch the long balls he gives up.